Beyond Curation: Libraries as Publishers

Our session will talk about how libraries can step beyond the role of curators of diverse content to directly support the development and creation of new work by underrepresented authors through publishing. We will cover the development of the WWPL press, and the anthology projects we've produced including our Teen Voices Anthology, Indigenous Voices Anthology, LGBTQIA+ Anthology, and our newest project, a Middle Eastern and North African Anthology. We'll cover everything from grant writing for community publishing projects, to workshop models and working with community partners, to the business of publishing including the editorial process, printing and distribution, and contracts. The session will be conversational with plenty of room for audience questions. We have also started the recruitment for our 5th anthology project with a grant from RISCA to work with RI veterans.