Please join us for another session in our series celebrating the Handbook of Black Librarianship. For our August webinar we will be discussing Library Technology, highlighting ways Black librarians have pivoted through innovation to serve their communities. This conversation will feature Dr. Brandy McNeil, President of the Public Library Association and Deputy Director of Branch Programs and Services at The New York Public Library, and Laura Ellis, Library Media Specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland.

Dr. Brandy McNeil is a nationally recognized leader in digital literacy, equity, and public library innovation. As Deputy Director of Branch Programs and Services at The New York Public Library, she has transformed access to technology, knowledge, and opportunity across the system’s 89 branches. Under her visionary leadership, Dr. McNeil has spearheaded groundbreaking partnerships with tech giants such as Apple, Spotify, and Google, and created TechConnect, a nationally recognized model for digital literacy in libraries. She was honored with the 2017 Library Journal Movers & Shakers award and is a contributing writer for Public Libraries Magazine as well as a contributor to the book Libraryland: It's All About the Story (2020). Dr. McNeil previously served on the Executive Board of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Her expertise extends beyond the library world; she holds a Doctorate in Business and an MBA in Entrepreneurship, with past roles at several Fortune 500 companies.

Laura Ellis is a career librarian with experience across all educational levels.  She started her library career at the University of West Alabama in Livingston as a reference librarian and as an assistant professor.  She then went on to Southern Union Community College where she oversaw three campuses (Opelika, Wadley, and Valley).  When Ms. Ellis completed her second master’s degree, she joined Selma City Public Schools in Selma, AL as an elementary school librarian.

Ms. Ellis currently works for Montgomery County Public Schools as a library media specialist.  She does and has served on a number of committees for the school district, has represented her fellow teachers at the local, state, and national levels and presents regularly at state level teacher conventions. 

This public program is made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the New York State Library to champion lifelong learning.  

This webinar will be recorded for later viewing by those unable to attend live; to receive the recording link, please register and it will be automatically sent to you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to Tor Loney at tor.loney@nysed.gov

The Handbook of Black Librarianship was first published in 1977, intended to “provide reference information on the relationship of Afro-Americans to various aspects of librarianship and libraries.” Compiled and edited by E.J. Josey during his time as Chief of the Bureau of Specialist Library Services for the New York State Library, this volume provided resources for developing African/Afro-American collections, program guidance for serving Black youth, directories of library school programs primarily attended by Black students, and essays from Black educators, writers, librarians, and more. A second edition was published in 2000, adding to and updating the first volume. 

A third edition has just been published, edited by Andrew "Sekou” Jackson, Marva L. Deloach, and Michele Fenton. Beyond updating previous volumes, the new edition adds over 70 new essays on Vital Issues, Service to Our Communities, Library Technology, Wisdom from Retirees, Global Issues, and Banned Books and Censorship. In this webinar, you will hear from the editors about their relationship to the Handbook, how this edition came to be, and how you can use it to engage with your library and its community.