This quarter, WiLS spotlights the important work of Pa Ja Yang, who, along with Andy Draheim, created the Libraries in Bloom initiative. In an interview conducted over email with WiLS Library Strategist and Consultant Laura Damon-Moore, Pa Ja shares about Libraries in Bloom, including her hopes for its future and an invitation to engage with and support the work.
Please introduce yourself!
My name is Pa Ja Yang and my husband, Andy Draheim, and I are the creators of Libraries in Bloom. I am a Hmong American woman born in a refugee camp in Thailand and raised in Appleton, WI. I received my undergraduate degree in Public Administration from UW – Green Bay and MLIS from UW – Madison. I have been working at the Appleton Public Library as the Hmong Family Outreach Specialist for the past five years. My main responsibilities involve community engagement, program development and working directly with Hmong families.
Tell us a little bit about your podcast and project, Libraries in Bloom.
Libraries in Bloom’s mission is to highlight innovative librarianship as told by library professionals from culturally diverse backgrounds to broaden perspective and encourage progress. It strives to be an educational resource where all can learn, share ideas, and advocate together. Follow along as we capture the many ways in which libraries are blooming.
What inspired you to develop and launch Libraries in Bloom?
When I started my career in libraries, outreach and working closely with a target population were still slightly nontraditional. On top of that, there weren’t many library professionals from culturally diverse backgrounds in the field. Naturally, I developed a desire to connect with others who look like me and/or provide innovative services to diverse populations. That’s how the idea blossomed. In my final semester of graduate school, I was able to pursue Libraries in Bloom as an independent project with my advisor. We wrapped up our first season this past spring. Season two will be coming out at the end of September.
The mission for the project is to: “highlight innovative librarianship as told by library professionals from culturally diverse backgrounds to broaden perspective and encourage progress.” Can you expand on the idea that there are certain perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds among library professionals that need to be especially highlighted, and the importance of having individuals share their own stories? What are some ways that projects like this can enrich the library field?
Libraries are a community hub where all can gather freely to access information, engage, and learn. When certain narratives and services are missing, that’s when we’re not meeting our full potential as a democratic space. Especially with our communities diversifying, we need to have staff who reflect the changing demographics, those who understand the struggles of patrons because they, too, have experienced similar needs and barriers to access. I have found that to be true in my experience. It’s certainly easier for me to connect and build trust with others who share those similarities. That’s why it’s important for library professionals of color to tell their stories and be heard because with different perspectives comes innovative solutions and practices that will only enrich the library field.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of this project?
The team at Libraries in Bloom is currently working together to make our platform a nonprofit organization that nurtures a robust talent pipeline. It’s our goal to recruit young adults into the field by connecting them with library professionals and offering project-based learning internships. Young adults and library professionals will all come from culturally diverse backgrounds with a concentration on those identifying as black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). When I think about the growth of the library profession, which is said to increase by 5% within the next decade, I want BIPOC to be a part of that growth. The idea to reposition resources and power to communities of color so that the most vulnerable can also thrive requires systems change, and so, I hope the support is there when the time comes.
How can others support the work of Libraries in Bloom?
There are a few ways you can support and uplift the mission of Libraries in Bloom.
- Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Libraries in Bloom.
- Subscribe to our email list at librariesinbloom.org to receive notifications of new podcast episodes.
- Connect with us at librariesinbloom@gmail.com if you would like to nominate someone or share your professional story with Libraries in Bloom.
- Send us your feedback via social media or email.
WiLS Social Justice Spotlight is one way that we live our organizational values and support our 2021 Strategic Initiatives by “identifying or creating tangible opportunities to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion.” The Social Justice Spotlight series seeks to use our platform to amplify community-based organizations, initiatives, and projects in and around Wisconsin that do bold, on-the-ground work in racial equity and social justice. Some spotlighted initiatives are nominated by WiLS members while others may be designated by the WiLS team.
To suggest a community-based organization, initiative, or project for the Social Justice Spotlight series, please fill out this short form.