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Bookshelf Diversity Project

 

    The "Bookshelf Diversity" project grew out of the RUT partnership Arts in Action with Exeter High School ninth grade English teachers in their unit on justice, equity, and social change. In her class presentation, student Ingrid Janicki's project "Bookshelf Diversity" emphasized bringing more voices to our students' worlds/ perspectives and not in tokenism through performative diversity, but instead, healthy readings that honor natural inclusiveness versus reading diverse books on Chinese holidays or celebrations of progress for under-represented groups. Ingrid advocated for reading books as if most stories could have people of any identities playing out the plot lines as well. 

 

    The topic "Bookshelf Diversity" endorsed by the Racial Unity Team was introduced for the first time in 2021 at the UNH Summer Literacy Institutes.

Here is Ingrid’s essay Schools Need To Reexamine The Common English Curriculum, or visit the link to hear Ingrid Janicki's talk and her teacher's praise of her work following the end of her talk.

 

    Each quarter the Racial Unity Team hopes to donate books to selected schools and for 2024 we ask:  In your perspective, how does the current literature in your classroom reflect the diversity, or lack thereof, within your student population? How would this grant support a more inclusive and representative learning environment? Furthermore, please discuss how you plan to integrate these diverse materials into your curriculum.  

 

Enter now for a chance to diversify your classroom library with $500 by completing the Bookshelf Diversity Contest Submission Form 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guidelines

 

Books are distributed through a community nomination process and may be placed in classrooms, libraries, waiting rooms, community programs, foster placements, or homes.

 

• Nominees should serve children, youth, or families and demonstrate a meaningful need for diverse, representative books.
• Individuals or organizations receiving books should be willing to allow the Racial Unity Team to share the impact of the gift through promotional materials (e.g., social media, newsletters, or reports). Identifying details will only be shared with permission.
• When appropriate, recipients may be invited to provide brief feedback about how the books are being used and which titles are most meaningful, helping us refine future selections.

• Book packages (valued up to $500) are curated in collaboration with the recipient whenever possible. Substitutions may be permitted depending on availability.

• We anticipate supporting at least one recipient each quarter, as resources allow.
• This initiative is intended to foster ongoing relationships and partnerships that strengthen belonging and literacy across our communities.

 

Placement of Books

Books are provided as a gift for use in the nominated setting (classroom, office, program, or home).

Recipients are encouraged to keep the books accessible to children and families who will benefit from them.

If a recipient is no longer able to use the books as intended, we encourage passing them along to another educator, organization, or family in need.

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FAQs

 

Do you have questions? Bring it to our attention! Besides providing you with the answers, we will display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.  Questions? Email kellyc@rutnh.org

 

Donate to the Bookshelf Diversity Fund 
 

Past Book Deliveries

 

 

Catherine Volinski

SAU 21

Seabrook, NH

 

William Derry

SAU 29

Keene, NH

 

Liz Beaulieu

SAU 31

Newmarket, NH

 

Stephanie Potter

SAU 84

Littleton, Grafton County, NH

 

Beth Harrington

SAU 18

Franklin, NH

 

Archer Miller, Nicholas Ellis Zachary Procek

Concord High School

SAU 8

Concord, Merrimack County, NH

 

Alex Karl-Hand

 Stratford Public School 

SAU 58 

Stratford, Coös County, NH 

 

Allison MacDonald

Littleton Area Head Start Preschool, 

SAU 86 

Littleton, Grafton County, NH 

 

Michelle Leslie & Angie Lavoie

 Lancaster Elementary School 

SAU 36

Lancaster, Coös County, NH 

 

Susan Catanese- Mayo

 Swasey Central School 

SAU 16 

Brentwood, Rockingham , NH

 

Kiara Krukoff

Portsmouth High School

SAU 52

Portsmouth,  Rockingham , NH

 

Richella Simard

West High School

Manchester, Hillsborough NH