Happy summer reading, ATPE members! We hope you enjoyed all those book recommendations from the summer issue of ATPE News. Now let’s take your book loving to another level.
 
Wondering how your own library—be it your in-home bookshelves, your classroom reading corner, or your school’s—could include more diversity on its shelves? Public libraries across the state shared some insight on what their own staff does to promote diversity and reading among their communities.

• Read reviews from Library Journal and School Library Journal and select materials that promote diversity and address topics of interest.
• Consult the Young Adult Library Services Association’s “Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers,” which identifies titles aimed at encouraging reading among teens who dislike to read for whatever reason.
• Check sites such as We Need Diverse Books, Mighty Girl, Lee & Low Books, and the Brown Bookshelf.
• Check out the ALA Coretta Scott King and Pura Belpré award winners and honor titles. Visit the American Library Association for a full list.
• Check out the Texas Library Association’s reading lists, a list of high-interest recreational reads that also attempt to balance titles in respect to genre, gender, and ethnic diversity.
• Focus on publishers beyond the most-well known, look beyond bestseller lists, and select from independent presses and self-published titles.
• Buy more translated books for students.
• Solicit suggestions from the community.

Thank you to the Seguin, Austin, and Fort Worth public libraries for providing valuable help and information.
 
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