Schaumburg Library welcomes new exhibit, 'The Bias Inside Us'

"The Bias Inside Us," an educational exhibit organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, will be available to experience through Sunday, June 27, at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. The exhibit is open during library hours.

"The Bias Inside Us" provides an exploration of implicit bias to help viewers become aware of their own bias so they can recognize its influence and impact on their behaviors and worldview.

Divided into six, interactive sections, the exhibit depicts examples of implicit bias in real life, reveals its serious consequences and helps participants retrain their brains to overcome their own biases.

"Implicit bias is an innate human trait, but with awareness, understanding and effort, we can combat its negative effects," said Schaumburg Library Executive Director Annie Miskewitch. "The library is proud to welcome this new Smithsonian exhibit."

In addition to the exhibit, the library is offering online programs related to its topics. These include "The Beauty of Skin in Every Color" from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, June 13; "The Colors We Share" from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 16; "Racial Justice Book Discussion: Blindspot" from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, June 17; and "Dr. Corey Yeager and Unconscious Bias" from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, June 24.

Register at SchaumburgLibrary.org to receive the Zoom link for these programs.

Major support for "The Bias Inside Us" is provided by the Otto Bremer Trust. Additional support provided by Acton Family Giving, anonymous donors, The Beverly Foundation, Steve and Sheri Lear, Target, the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation, Thomson Reuters, Allianz of America, Valerie E. and William A. Anders, Julie and David Burton, the Dreier Family, Lennart Ehn and Ginger Lew, Expedia, Trevor and Melissa Fetter, the Roger S. Firestone Foundation, Brenda J. Gaines, Myra Hart and Kent Hewitt, Charlie and Nancy Hogan, Dr. Christine C. Jenkins and Mr. Pierre A. France, KNOCK Inc., Sarah Lawer and Frank Guanco, Kathleen Mason, Elyse Rabinowitz and Jim Porter, Dr. Philip S. and Alice Hoolihan Randall, Gloria del C. Rodriguez, the Family of Leona Roen and Naoma Tate.

"The Bias Inside Us" is based on an original concept developed by Tolerance in Motion: Steve Lear, Laura Zelle and Elyse Rabinowitz, founders; Ellen Glatstein, Laura Lipshutz, Alice Randall, Joanne Jones-Rizzi and Susan Shapiro, directors; Don Shelby, founding advisor; and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, Steve Hunegs, executive director.

The Schaumburg Township District Library and its branches in Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park are open to the public with limited capacity and hours in accordance with COVID guidelines.

For information, go to SchaumburgLibrary.org.