SF Public Library’s quest to put diversity on shelves; SFGate.com, 1/15/17

Lizzie Johnson, SFGate.com; 

SF Public Library’s quest to put diversity on shelves

"Despite a push by book lovers for more ethnic diversity in published books, library shelves have remained largely uniform, with white authors penning tales about white people, statistics show. Those books fail to reflect the rich diversity of San Francisco, and point to a persistent problem across the country, librarians say.

But a San Francisco Public Library program running this month seeks less homogeneity within the pages of books. The citywide We Love Diverse Books program includes 50 events during January to broaden the scope of what patrons read, including author discussions, cooking lessons and manga art workshops. The program emphasizes the importance of “literary mirrors,” where readers see themselves and their identities reflected in the books they read.

“We are the place that supports the values of equity and inclusion — the bedrock of American democratic values,” said City Librarian Luis Herrera. “We work hard to ensure that the books and resources on our shelves mirror the diversity of our city. … We believe it is important for everyone, especially children, to see themselves reflected in literature.”"