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The Washington Library Association leads, advocates, educates, and connects.

The WLA Neurodivergence & Libraries Summit Logo, featuring a white summit peak on a sky blue background with a ranbow above the summit. Sept. 8, 2023 and Online.

Neurodivergence & Libraries Summit

Friday, September 8, 2023
Online

What is neurodiversity? What does the umbrella-term "neurodivergence" encompass? And how can all library types – academic, public, school, and special libraries — feel confident in their ability to combat ableism, to robustly serve neurodivergent patrons with care, and to support their neurodivergent staff?

The virtual Neurodivergence & Libraries Summit offers day-long programming around neurodivergence: a broad overview of what neurodivergence is, how to improve library services for your neurodivergent patrons, current research around the experiences of neurodivergent library workers, conversations around special autism libraries, and more.

Accessing the Summit

All registrants have been emailed Summit access links as of 9:30 am PT on September 7, 2023. All new registrants will receive access links in their registration confirmation email. If you have not received your access email, please reach out to the WLA office at [email protected] or (206) 823-1138.

 

K12Librarians4AllWA Campaign

" "Washington schools need Teacher Librarians!

All Washington K-12 students deserve access to a strong school library program with a qualified Teacher Librarian. We believe all Washington students deserve access to strong school library programs directed by qualified Teacher Librarians. Decades of research confirm that students with strong school library programs and qualified Teacher Librarians have better educational outcomes and are more prepared for post-secondary education. This is especially true for students who experience poverty or other risk factors. However, school library programs in Washington are currently not equitably distributed, with those most in need of strong school libraries having the least access to them.  

We hope you use this website to learn about the importance of all school libraries for Washington students.  Join us in urging Washington State elected officials to support school library programs for all Washington students.

 Statement on Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read

The Washington Library Association has released an updated Statement on Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read. Read the statement in full on WLA's Intellectual Freedom Section (IFS) site, and explore other free resources related to intellectual freedom and freedom from censorship.

Want to become a member of IFS? Joining the section is free with WLA membership. Add the section to your existing membership or request to join by contacting the WLA Office.

WLA Statement on Anti-Racism

The Washington Library Association decries the brutality Black communities experience from those charged to protect and serve. Libraries are providers of vital resources for historically underserved communities, and this work has never been more important than it is now. We are responsible for continuing to do this difficult, sometimes painful work that demands we address our biases and how they impact our ability to serve our communities equitably. We urge library professionals across Washington to fight for Black lives, actively oppose systemic oppression and police brutality, and prioritize anti-racism in all that we do. The WLA Board is committed to doing this anti-racist work within our association. To be silent is to be complicit.

For resources regarding anti-racism, click here.