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IDEA Team - Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Advocates

A Team of Diverse Employees Paving the Way for DEI at Mid-Columbia Libraries

The IDEA Team is a diverse group of employees committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at Mid-Columbia Libraries. All staff are invited to take part in supporting the IDEA Team make our region a more inclusive place for everyone. Below you will find a variety of lists and books shared by our IDEA Team to start or support your own DEI journey.  

National Native American Heritage Month

This book’d list features fiction and nonfiction works primarily by Indigenous authors from the Americas, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These books center Indigenous perspectives, relationships with land, and lived experiences, as well as a few non-fiction works created in collaboration with Indigenous communities.

<p>This book illustrates how the power of language can inform and strengthen the power of community, and how the love between a father and child can demonstrate courage and fortitude to others. A beautiful and rich book!</p>
<p>If you're into historical fiction and horror, this collection of stories is a great choice. It follows one Cherokee family tree through various generations, tracing their roots from the colonial era to modern day and infusing each short story with classic horror themes.</p>
<p>A book for animal-lovers and&nbsp;murder-mystery fans, this coming-of-age story follows a young Apache woman in a modern-day Texas where ghosts, fairies, vampires, and other magical creatures walk among us.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kimmerer shares her wealth of knowledge as an ecologist and her depth of experience as a member of the Citizen Potawatami Nation, discussing a model of reciprocity&nbsp;that highlights the importance of relationships with one another and with nature.</p>

Games Around the World

In keeping with the theme for our 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, "Level Up," this list features fiction and non-fiction materials with a focus on games and the people who play them. Games featured in this list range from those with rich histories to modern day games. There is something for everyone!

<p>From Japanese puzzle boxes to the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship in Spain, A.J. Jacobs takes you on a journey through time and space as he explores the history of puzzles in their many forms. Thoughtful and witty, you may find yourself scratching your head at the same time you marvel at the variations of this long-standing tradition. A.J. and his wife, Julie, play a game of sorts in my favorite book of his, "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible."</p>

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Celebrate the rich and diverse experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in recognition of AAPI Heritage Month and revisit these books throughout the year! This thoughtfully selected list features compelling stories for readers of all backgrounds. Delve into narratives that explore themes of identity, immigration, history, and the powerful impact of the AAPI community. Discover…

Cryptids and Creatures

Ghosts, yetis, aliens, and unicorns are all the creatures and cryptids featured weekly for Mid-Columbia Libraries in June as part of the Summer Reading Challenge! Explore these creature tales through new lenses or revisit an old favorite. 

We Are All Family

What does family mean to you? What does family look like? The following list offers different snapshots of families, and while they are geared towards children, these are books everyone can enjoy. 

Celebrating Neurodiversity: Stories That Empower

Expand your understanding of neurodiversity with our curated book list! Discover insightful reads that explore different neurodivergent experiences, from autism and ADHD to dyslexia and more. Learn valuable strategies, gain fresh perspectives, and find stories that resonate with your own journey.

Books From Your Own Backyard

From the heart of the Tri-Cities to the edges of the state, here are some of our favorite local authors! They write everything from picture books to histories of the area. There is something for everyone no matter your age on this list. Hopefully you’ll find a new favorite!

<p>A local author with a wide variety of diverse fantasy and paranormal romances!</p>
<p>This Tri-Cities teen wrote this (and the sequels) while in high school!</p>
<p>Mid-Columbia Libraries' Kennewick branch manager wrote this sci-fi book!</p>
<p>A Tri-Cities native, this series travels all over the area and mentions familiar landmarks.</p>

Diverse Cuisine

 

Who doesn’t love food? It is one of the constant elements across civilizations and time periods that always brings people together. These cookbooks are some of our favorites. From old classics to new ideas, hopefully you find something here to delight your senses and explore in your kitchen. Take your taste buds on a trip around the world.

<p>Never found a recipe in here that wasn’t delicious or that took longer than an hour. Very impressed!</p>
<p>A delightful mix of midwestern cuisine influenced by her Jewish and Chinese heritage, this book is full of good food and lots of smiles. Maybe a few sprinkles, too.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This colorful vegetarian cookbook fuses Indian and Californian cuisines and brings them to your kitchen.</p>
<p>The title really says it all, with a collection of recipes that don’t disappoint.</p>

We Are Made of Stories

At Mid-Columbia Libraries we are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Stepping into someone's story helps us see the world through a new lens. These titles are from a wide variety of authors that offer new views on the world or new things to think about, and help us reach that goal.

I'm With the Banned

These are our favorite books have been challenged or banned for various reasons. Freedom to choose what you read is a precious thing to libraries and we encourage you to give these books a chance.

<p>Restricted in at least one school district as only ‘suitable for older readers’, despite it being read at the presidential inauguration.</p>
<p>Banned or challenged across the country, with one of the top complaints being it deals with domestic abuse.</p>
<p>Banned and challenged for violence, profanity, and promoting anti-police messaging.</p>
<p>Found in one school district, parents complained about the vulgar and graphic content.</p>