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July is known as Disability Pride Month because it marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This law is meant to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities and discourage discrimination, however, people are still marginalized for their abilities or limitations. To help combat ableism and injustice, librarians across the nation strive to make a safe space where all people and communities can see themselves embodied in literature. Inclusivity is imperative—especially in libraries—and that is why JLG makes a deliberate effort to pick award-winning books that celebrate and honor the whole spectrum of abilities.

If your collection needs ability-representative literature, look no further—we have a great list down below—and we’re here to give you a few ideas on how to keep your library inclusive for all of your readers, patrons, and staff!

Tip #1: Audit Your Collection for Cultural Relevance

Reviewing and analyzing your library collection is a huge—yet...

 Summertime is HERE, and that means summer reading is well underway. While some readers are laying by the pool with their books, or taking their favorite stories to barbecues and picnics, we know that other students might need a little extra encouragement. In recently released data from NAEP, the number of students who read daily for fun are at an all-time low; only 14% of students reported reading for fun almost every day. This statistic is alarming, especially when there are so many great summer reads to go around! If your students or patrons are having a difficult time picking up a book, they might need an extra reminder as to why reading for pleasure is so impactful to their overall growth and success.

BONUS: Score JLG’s Summer Must-Read List—categorized by grade level—down below!

Reading Aids Early Development and Continued Academic Success

Reading has the power to transform lives, and research proves that children who start reading at an early age build important social-emotional...

While PRIDE Month is celebrated in June, JLG believes in celebrating and honoring diversity, equity, and inclusion every day—these are the elements that make our world a more accepting and empathetic place, and what better way to explore those themes than through books?  

Sacha Lamb, an archivist, librarian, and author of When the Angels Left the Old Country, writes a queer, Jewish fantasy that transcends the concepts of identity, gender, and explores how both good and evil are necessary in our lives. When writing this story, they intended to combine all the literary elements that they love into one—and this ingenuity is what won the book a Stonewall, Sydney Taylor, and Printz Book Award! Sacha was kind enough to chat with JLG—even carving time out of their schedule right before traveling to ALA, where they will be accepting awards on their birthday! Happy Birthday Sacha!

This interview has something special for all readers—make sure to share this article with a friend or two...