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This episode originally aired on August 31, 2023 and is being re-released to celebrate Native American Heritage Month (November).

In this episode we talk with Dr. Sandy Littletree (Navajo/Eastern Shoshone), Assistant Professor at the Information School at the University of Washington, whose work focuses on Native North American Indigenous Knowledge.

Dr. Littletree shares background about Indigenous systems of knowledge, and practical application as it pertains to Indigenous information science, Indigenous librarianship and the intersections of tribal sovereignty, technology, knowledge, and information in Native North America. The discussion also shines a light on the importance of cultivating cultural humility as an ongoing practice, and as a foundation of establishing meaningful, authentic and compassionate connections.

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Kristen Curé
Date of Interview: August 16, 2023

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In this episode, we chat with the magical Nisha Mody, a Liberatory Life Coach, facilitator, and former librarian, about how library workers can navigate, survive, and heal from toxic work environments.

Nisha shares insights on trauma-informed care, values alignment, and relational liberation, offering practical tools for self-compassion, boundary-setting, and fostering more supportive and inclusive library cultures.

From identifying red flags in job interviews to re-centering personal values, this conversation highlights the importance of healing, community, and showing up authentically in library spaces.

Date of interview: September 24, 2025
Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Brittany Young

Mentioned in this episode:

• Nisha Mody l Website (www.nishaland.com)
• Nisha Mody I Notes from Nisha (Newsletter)
• Nisha Mody I Values Workbook
• Nisha Mody | Instagram (@healinghypegirl)

Upcoming learning:

• Wednesday, October 1st @ 4:00-5:30 PST: How to Break Up with Codependency (and finally figure out who YOU are) - Free (Recording Available)
• Trauma-Informed and Relational Care for Libraries (Self-Paced Course)*

*Oregon Library Association's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Antiracism (EDIA) Committee's Professional Development Scholarship Application form

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This episode originally aired on July 31, 2024 as Season 3, Episode 5, and is being re-released in light of Fobazi's recent health challenges. Listeners who wish to support Fobazi, can access the Go Fund Me by clicking on the hyperlink.

In this episode we are joined in conversation by scholar, academic consultant, librarian and educational game designer, Fobzi Ettarh, who notably coined the concept of "vocational awe" in 2018. Ettarh shares how vocational awe operates at both the micro and macro levels, contributing to problematic hiring, onboarding, and retention practices in the library profession, and illustrates how this concept directly ties to workplace inequities and burnout.

Additionally, Ettarh provides actionable ways to escape the trap of vocational awe by prioritizing mental health and rest, achieving work-life balance, reframing how we are showing up for community, and urging administrators to lead by example.

Date of interview: July 17, 2024
Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas


Additional Info. & Links:

Vocational Awe- “the set of ideas, values, and assumptions librarians have about themselves and the profession that result in beliefs that libraries as institutions are inherently good and sacred, and therefore beyond critique.” (Ettarh, 2018)

• "Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves" (January 2018 article from, In the Library With the Lead Pipe)
• Ettarh's Webpage/Blog
• Follow Ettarh on Twitter @Fobettarh
• Latanya Jenkins' story
• ALA Memorial Resolution Honoring Latanya N. Jenkins

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In this episode, we are joined by Angelica Novoa de Cordeiro and Maria Aguilar, Adult Services Librarian and Library Director at the Cornelius Public Library. The duo discusses the importance of collective effort, authentic relationship building and establishing a foundation of trust when serving not only Spanish-speakers, but the community at large.

Whether it is offering a Zumba class or providing tailored Makerspace programs, Cornelius Public Library has seen great success engaging community members from diverse cultural backgrounds in informing on what they need and want from the library. Angelica and Maria share how the values of the library and the staff are fundamental in creating trusting spaces, collaborative partnerships, inclusive approaches, and responsive services that are welcoming to all people, regardless of their background.

Hosts: Gene Iparraguirre & Kristen Curé

Date of recording: May 15, 2025

Related links:

Drake Learning Center & Makerspace

Access to Public Library Services for Spanish-Speakers | OLA Quarterly

Libros for Oregon

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In this episode, Kaetrena Davis Kendrick—an award-winning librarian, researcher, and the 2024–2025 Follett Chair at Dominican University—joins the hosts. Kendrick, renowned for her research on the topic of low-morale in libraries, sheds light on the systemic systems and structures that enable these environments and how BIPOC library workers and administrators grapple with this.

Together, the trio explore enabling systems, problematic behaviors, and the emotional toll of library work—while also discussing pathways to healing through collective care, glimmer gathering, and workplace empathy. Kaetrena offers practical takeaways and inspiring book recommendations for those working toward more inclusive and supportive library cultures.

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Brittany Young

Date of recording: May 29, 2025

Mentioned in this episode: https://renewalslis.com

Book recommendations:

Critical Hope by Kari Grain

My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem

Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke

Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey

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In this episode, the remarkable Heidi Estrada & Sophie Kenney discuss RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Group and RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Mentorship Program—two inclusive programs for library professionals in Illinois that foster support and mitigate racial disparities. More specifically, RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Group aims to foster connection, share resources and discuss specific experiences in a safe, welcome, and open space for all library workers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color.

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Roxanne M. Renteria
Date of recording: December 9, 2024

Mentioned in this episode:

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We are joined in this episode by Oregon State University Associate Professor and Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC) Curator, Natalia Fernández.

How can academic archives confront harmful narratives and create more inclusive records? Fernández shares how SCARC'S Antiracist Description Activities project is challenging biased language, improving finding aids and ensuring collections are represented with dignity, non-prejudice and accuracy.

Date of Interview: February 6, 2025

Hosts: Joan Vigil & Brittany Young

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In this episode, we welcome Kendra Morris-Jacobson with the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC), and Lisa MM Butler, a Black, biracial, transracial, domestic adoptee working in libraries in Washington State.

Kendra and Lisa discuss the vital role that libraries, books and educational resources play in the lives of children in care and adoptees. From fostering a sense of identity and belonging to providing comfort, escapism, representation and essential learning opportunities, access to diverse and inclusive reading materials can be life changing.

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Ericka Brunson-Rochette
Date of recording: December 2, 2024

Access the ORPARC Lending Library here
Follow guest Lisa Butler on Instagram @theadopteeclown

Mentioned in This Episode:

VOICES, a BIPOC Adoptee Reading, April 26, 2025, 6:30-9PM @ the PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater, in Portland, OR, FREE (more details to come)

VOICES, a BIPOC Adoptee Conference, July 24-27, 2025 @ Portland State University, in Portland, OR, REGISTRATION

Additional (Not Mentioned) Upcoming BIPOC Adoptee Events:

BIPOC Adoptees Mixer, March 13, 2025, 5-8PM @ Stormbreaker Brewing in Portland, OR FREE

BIPOC Adoptees Writing Workshop, May 24, 2025, 1-5PM @ Seeding Justice in Portland, OR with amazing BIPOC adoptee writer, Joon Ae Haworth-Kaufka, FREE

Check out the robust list of content creators mentioned in this episode here!