Inclusive Libraries webinar recordings

About our webinar series

Would you like to understand how to ensure your library collection and reading experience is as diverse and inclusive as possible?

This webinar series has been running since 2021, and is designed to develop professional knowledge and share ideas. We welcome library staff and teachers based in primary or secondary schools, or in public and community libraries across the UK.

Webinars are free to attend, and are aimed at teachers and librarians in school and public library settings. We'd recommend you register and attend live if possible, to get the most out of the interactive and topical format. However, we're also sharing recordings of previous webinars for those who weren't able to attend live.

The webinars are part of our series of Inclusive Libraries professional development events, which are embedded in our wider work championing libraries, including our Libraries for Primaries programme and campaign.

The webinars will support you to:

• Deepen your understanding of diversifying reading materials and widening access in reading spaces
• Explore barriers which might be preventing your library collection from being fully inclusive
• Learn how books can be used to support conversations with parents and young people about diversity and inclusivity
• Hear from a range of experts about ways to respond to challenging conversations that may arise from the books that you share
• Hear best practice examples from those with expertise and experience who are working in the field
• Be inspired to create a more inclusive reading experience for all children and young people in a library setting, both at school and in the community
• Connect with other library staff and teachers from across the country, who are also passionate about this issue

2025/26: recordings

Webinar one: Representations of Jewishness within children’s literature

Watch our expert panel explore and discuss representations of Jewishness within modern children’s literature. Guests included authors Ziggy Hanaor and Miriam Halahmy, plus children’s literature expert Madelyn Travis and author and literacy education consultant Jacqueline Harris.

Webinar two: See Differently: Creating an inclusive environment for students with vision impairment with RNIB

The webinar will help you build confidence in selecting and organising accessible resources, adapting your library space, and supporting pupils to engage with materials that will spark a love of reading and stories. RNIB, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, is the UK's leading sight loss charity. They offer practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers.

Webinar three: D/deafness in children’s literature and libraries

This session spotlights representations of D/deafness in children’s literature and offer guidance on how schools and libraries can create more inclusive experiences for D/deaf children and their families.

Webinar four: Accessible children's books

Explore diverse formats to support readers to access books and stories with publishers Every Cherry and Barrington Stoke.

2023/24 recordings

Webinar one: Representations of children, young people and families of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller heritage

The first webinar focused on providing inclusive reading spaces for, and authentic representations of, children, young people and families of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller heritage, featuring expert speakers.

Webinar two: Reading and empathy

In May 2024 we welcomed Miranda McKearney OBE, one of the founders of Empathy Lab, Sharna Jackson, award-winning author, and Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, writer, historian and visual artist for an insightful discussion of the science behind empathy and how books can be used to help build and support this vital skill.

2022/23 recordings

This year, based on your feedback, our webinar series explored different topics relating to neurodiversity.

Representations of neurodiversity in children’s reading

Featuring acclaimed authors Elle McNicoll, Rose, Robbins, and Abigail Balfe exploring the importance of representation and discussing how neurodivergence feeds in to their writing and the characters in their books.

Every reader counts: developing inclusive reading provision and practice

With special guest author Serena Patel, along with representatives from award-winning children’s publisher Barrington Stoke and from Next Page Books, a bookshop with a particular commitment to representations of neurodiversity, including characters with dyslexia.

Handling difficult conversations around representation in children’s literature, featuring Patrick Ness.

This session included Librarian Barbara Band discussing how best to address the representation of neurodiversity in conversations about children's literature, and multi award-winning author Patrick Ness exploring why it's important that children can continue to access books which confront complex matters.

Diverse Libraries 2021/22 recordings

This series of webinars focused on ethnicity and heritage and it's representation within books, as well as bringing to the forefront authors and illustrators of colour, and publishers who champion their work . It looked at ways to better reflect a diverse society, ensure children see themselves represented, and explored the role schools and libraries can play in prompting meaningful conversations about race and prejudice and in the promotion of anti-racism.

Bringing Diversity to Your Library Collection

This session explores ways to reflect on and make additions to library catalogues in order to better reflect a diverse society focusing in particular on books by writers and illustrators of colour. You’ll hear about key research from The National Literacy Trust, gain insight on the latest titles available from a range of publishers, including Penguin Random House, and explore best practice cases studies with Libraries Connected.

Dealing with difficult texts and promoting anti-racism

Our second session supports teachers and library staff to further understand the different ways they can support readers when accessing problematic texts from their collections. Explore a range of methods to promote anti-racism through a study of literature and contribute to a discussion about the role that schools and libraries can play in prompting meaningful conversations about race and prejudice.

Diversity Beyond the Bookshelf - Engaging library and school communities

This webinar looks at the wider role of schools and libraries in supporting diversity outside of their collections through community empowerment and explores a range of community engagement case studies.