Description and History
Since June of 2014, Immigrant Heritage Month has given people across the United States an opportunity to annually explore their own heritage and celebrate the shared diversity that forms the unique story of America.
Professional Learning Resources
Culturally Responsive Teaching in the School Library
In this Knowledge Quest post, blogger Maureen Schlosser explores the questions “Why does culturally responsive teaching matter?” and “How can I be a culturally responsive school librarian?” She also shares ways to reflect on practice and lesson ideas.
Books of Our Roots: A Collection of Literature from The Countries of Our Origin
In this Knowledge Quest blog, Karin Greenberg shares the creation of her Books of Our Roots: A Collection of Literature from the Countries of Our Origin project. Greenberg created the project to connect with and engage students who had not been active library participants in the past.
New Americans Toolkit
The ALSC Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers committee created a vibrant, dynamic toolkit for working with new Americans. The toolkit is divided into three parts, Professional and Community Resources, Recommended Read-alouds, and Intentional Programming.
From Immigration to Sexuality and Beyond: “Include” Graphic Novels to “Explore” Social Justice Issues
This AASL National Conference archived session presented by Karen Gavigan and Kasey L. Garrison, shares an overview of graphic novel titles dealing with critical social justice issues in different curriculum areas like Science and History and aligns titles with the AASL National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarian, and School Libraries and the Common Core Standards.
Libraries Respond: Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services has created Libraries Respond as a space to help keep current events in conversation with libraries' ongoing work in and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This collection contains resources on Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers.Learner Engagement Resources.
Learner Engagement Resources
New American Programming Ideas from Programming Librarian
ProgrammingLibrarian.org, a website of the American Library Association's Public Programs Office, provides the resources, connections and opportunities libraries need to fill their role as centers of cultural and civic life. It is a place for library professionals to share, learn and be inspired to present excellent programming for their communities.
Books Matter™ | Children's & Young Adult Literature
ADL provides an online bibliography of recommended children’s and young adult books about bias, bullying, diversity and social justice. This curated list provides age level recommended books on Immigrant & Refugee Rights.
Immigration History: Lesson Plans
Immigration History, a project of the Immigration and Ethnic History Society, created 12 high school lesson plans which cover a 230 year timeline of laws, court decisions, and executive actions on immigration.
The Welcoming Library from I’m Your Neighbor
A Welcoming Library can be borrowed from locations around the nation. I’m Your Neighbor also regularly updates the book list of books for all ages with themes around refugees, immigration, and new Americans.
Green Card Voices
A nonprofit based in Minneapolis, this organization works to connect immigrants and their communities through multimedia storytelling. Several resources on the website are paid (curriculum and some printable resources), but the videos of students sharing their stories are powerful. Libraries may want to offer their own storytelling events.