Children's Literature & Equity Resource Center (CLERC)
Mission
The COCC Barber Library Children's Literature & Equity Resource Center (CLERC) is a dynamic collection of equity-focused, resilience-building, and culturally responsive children’s literature reflecting the rich diversity of world experiences and cultures. The CLERC collection and reading room support Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Education students and courses as well as other COCC programs, providing resources to educators, students and community members throughout the Central Oregon region.
CLERC's mission is informed by Oregon's Higher Education Coordinating Commission 2014 Oregon Equity Lens document. Additionally, Dr. Sims Bishop, Professor Emerita at The Ohio State University, has provided a critical framework for research and teaching in children's literature and this framework has strongly influenced the collections and operations of CLERC. Her essay, "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors," is not only cited globally, it has inspired shifts in publishing, teaching, and the inclusion of authentic, diverse voices in literature for children and teens.
Collection
Items selected for the CLERC collection will deeply interpret and reflect the center's mission. See the CLERC Collection Development Policy.
The search bar above will match titles, authors, subjects, and awards too! Below are some examples of results for national awards. Additionally, try searching for Awards that Celebrate Diversity in Children's Literature.
See the CLERC Topics Guide for title recommendations on specific topics like loss, emotions, community, self care, and more.
The Foreign Language Guide lists books in specific languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Chinese.
The CLERC Kits page lists STEM Hub and story kits available for checkout.
Online Resources
Tumblebooks
Tumblebooks has over 1100 titles for grades K-6, and includes unique animated talking picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, graphic novels, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French.
Free eBooks about Coronavirus
This collection of free-to-download children's eBooks curated by the NYC School Library System contains books in multiple languages.
Storyline Online
Maintained by the Screen Actor's Guild, Storyline Online is an award-winning, interactive children’s literacy site that features famous actors like Kevin Costner, Betty White, James Earl Jones, Eva Longoria, and others reading children’s books out loud alongside minor animation elements. COCC librarians particularly recommend the hilarious Zombies Don't Eat Veggies!
International Digital Children's Library
ICDL is a nonprofit organization that provides access to the best children’s books of their culture, and cultures around the world regardless of where they live. There are over 4,000 titles in 59 languages to choose from. Use the simple search interface to find suitable titles by age, length of book, genres, reading level and more. You can also pick a book from some of the featured titles on the home page, and read away for free anonymously. These are page by page, read-them-yourself-on-the screen storybooks.
Lee and Low Publishing Read Aloud Playlist
A YouTube playlist of storytime read-alouds featuring Lee & Low children's books, in both English and Spanish. The publisher also offers a guide of resources in Spanish.
Location
CLERC is located on the first floor of Barber Library, south of the Rotunda. The center includes the collection of children's literature, plus spaces for instruction, reading, and group study.
Events
Barber Library and Early Childhood Education host book readings and other CLERC events open to the COCC and broader Central Oregon communities. See the CLERC Event Policy.
Reservations
COCC instructors and other educational organizations with interest in CLERC may reserve the space for class use. Please read the CLERC Reservation Policy before placing a request.
Staff can make reservations using 25Live (Web Viewer). Requests will be received and confirmed through Campus Services. If you need further assistance, contact Mary Beth Hamilton, Circulation Coordinator.
Support CLERC
Donate Books
For gifts of four items or less, fill out the Library Gift Donor Form (PDF) and bring it with your item(s) to the Circulation Desk.
For gifts of five items or more, please fill out the Donation Inquiry Form online before bringing your items to Barber Library. The Collection Development & Acquisitions Librarian will contact you after reviewing your submission.
Donate Financially
Your monetary donations will help us purchase new materials for CLERC!
Make checks out to "COCC Foundation" and please include a memo for CLERC. For online contributions, go to COCC Foundation Online Donations. Make sure to note CLERC where asked to note the gift "in honor or memory of."
Policies
- CLERC Advisory Committee
- CLERC Collection Development Policy
- Event Policy: Book Talks, Author Presentations, and Readings in CLERC
- Reservation Policy: Class Sessions and Meetings in CLERC
Questions
Contact Cat Finney to ask about...
- Recommendations for new titles to add to CLERC
- Financial or book donations
- CLERC policies and collections
See a problem on this page? Report it through the Library Website Feedback Form.