Library and Information Science Commons^™

Implementing And Marketing Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Practices And Resources: Creating The E‐Buzz!, Essraa Nawar, Kristin Laughtin-Dunker

Library Presentations, Posters, and Audiovisual Materials

Leatherby Libraries Librarians are committed to supporting and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for students, faculty, researchers, and staff. We demonstrate this commitment holistically through the provision of all resources and services in support of teaching, learning, and research. Our goal is to reduce obstacles to accessing diverse research resources, services, learning, and engagement through educational outreach in order to raise awareness of diversity related issues.

In 2020, Library administration selected a Diversity and Outreach librarian that was charged with creating a comprehensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Outreach plan. As a result, a number of practices and initiatives …

Portraits Of Hispanic And/Or Latino Leadership Development In The Military, Michael Lugo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

The study presented denotes a continuous transition among the Hispanic and/or Latino demographics in the military and the cadet accounts of military inequality incidents while in the military (Cabrera et al., 2017; Eckel & King, 2004). To assist Hispanic and/or Latino needs based on demographics and environment (National Center for Education Statistics, 2019). Military leaders contribute to growing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable military force for all ethnic groups. The Department of Defense (DoD) is the most racially and ethnically diverse workplace in the United States (Daniel et al., 2022). Nevertheless, racial/ethnic harassment and discrimination in the military continue …

Review: Implementing Excellence In Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion: A Handbook For Academic Libraries, Lalitha Nataraj

Communications in Information Literacy

Review of Lee, C., & Lym, B. (Eds.). (2022). Implementing excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion: A handbook for academic libraries. Association of College and Research Libraries.

2021 Depaul University Library And Art Museum Climate Survey Report, Wendall Sullivan, Subcommittee For The Survey And Report, Idea Committee, Depaul University Library, April Hummons, Dorian Rodriguez-Spicer, Christine Mcclure, Matthew Krause

Climate Surveys and Reports

In the fall of 2021, the DePaul University Library and Art Museum’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) Committee decided to conduct a survey of the library’s climate to establish a baseline for its work. The survey was sent to all full and part-time library staff and ran for six weeks. One of the goals of the IDEA committee is to bring awareness of implicit biases, micro-aggressions, exclusionary practices, and structural racism and discrimination within Library and Art Museum operations, environment, and culture; to review, audit and propose internal polices and processes for the Library and Art Museum to implement IDEA …

A Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (Dei) Approach To Collection Development In A University Library, Michele Gibney, Mickel Paris, Veronica Wells

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

University of the Pacific’s objective in a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) audit of library collections was to examine the voices and subjects represented and reveal diversity gaps. During Spring 2021, in collaboration with library employees, eight student interns determined the methodology, assessed print and eBook collections, and provided recommendations on closing identified collection gaps. Initial results from auditing ~4,000 representative titles indicated University of the Pacific's library book collections lack the diversity to adequately reflect racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of students and their expectations for assignments and research. This paper documents the audit process and its impact on …

Student Participation In A Dei Audit As High-Impact Practice, Veronica Wells, Michele Gibney, Mickel Paris, Corey Pfitzer

University Libraries Librarian and Staff Articles and Papers

During Spring 2021, eight students at the University of the Pacific participated in an internship where they performed a DEI audit of the library's book and music score collection. An internship is one documented type of High-Impact Practices and research studies show that High-Impact Practices lead to higher retention and graduation rates. Deep learning occurred as student interns participated in developing the methodology, evaluating book and music score collections, reading assigned articles pertaining to DEI in librarianship and publishing, and providing recommendations on closing identified collection gaps. To evaluate their learning, the interns were asked to complete three surveys at …

Tackling Organizational Equity At Scale, An Academic Library Consortium Responds, Kim Armstrong, Gayle O'Hara, Josie Ragolia, Sarah B. Watstein

Collaborative Librarianship

This article focuses on the myriad ways the Orbis Cascade Alliance, a regional academic library consortium, has responded to the growing and longstanding need to address equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in library spaces and organizations. Specifically, the article highlights a range of initiatives and approaches to advance EDI that the Alliance believes are in the mutual best interest of Alliance staff, its leadership (Board of Directors and Council), collaborative workforce (Teams and Groups), and ultimately, Alliance member libraries and the users they support.

Driving Change: A Model For Collaborative Librarianship In Prince George’S County, Maryland, Nicholas A. Brown, Kyla Hanington

Collaborative Librarianship

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) has a long-standing partnership with the county’s human rights education and enforcement agency, the Office of Human Rights (PGCOHR), formerly the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission (PGCHRC). The two agencies serve over 967,000 Prince Georgians, a majority-Black (64.4%) and Latin or Hispanic (19.5%) population with a sizable immigrant community (22.7%). The civil rights issues of 2020 hit close to home in Prince George’s County and the agencies have sustained a multi-year effort to provide residents with opportunities to learn how to engage with social justice topics for personal and collective advancement. …

English Is Not Dead! Long Live English: Teaching The Evolution Of English And Inclusive Communication Via Online, Face To Face Or Hybrid Instruction, Teresa Marie Kelly, Stephanie Thompson, Sheryl Bone

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

When popular media and many individuals discuss changes in English, some erroneously contend that the language has always been the same and changes amount to little more than “politically correct woke liberalism” desired by only certain people. The English language continually evolves as a natural process that nothing can force nor prevent. Field-specific language also changes with increased understanding and knowledge. The variety of English taught to most students also shifts as Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)/Writing Across Disciplines (WAD) initiatives increasingly focus on Global English rather than the standard of any one country or group. Even informal interactions with …

Librarians, Outreach And Evaluation: Edia In A Large Urban Public Library, Mariella Colon

New Librarianship Symposia Series: Fall 2021

Although we seek to be more universal in our offerings, libraries DEIA work still centers on simply event programming and collection development.

To talk about meaningful DEIA work today however is acknowledging that true advancement goes beyond events and artifacts. We must evolve this approach to where DEIA values drive our professional development through (1) critical librarianship (2) outreach and (3) responsive evaluation.

The framework for DEIA at a large urban library has three pillars of focus. The first is our librarians. It is important that we acknowledge the work that already exists because to start to review DEIA as …

Kick Back And Relax: Creating A Radical Sense Of Belonging In Our Libraries, Ione T. Damasco

Roesch Library Faculty Presentations

Libraries are places that hold the ability to connect people from different backgrounds and life experiences. However, despite that being the goal, sometimes stories are left out, experiences aren’t told, and identities are not represented. In this keynote address, Ione Damasco shares how her library has been able to make connections across campus with partners to develop and implement programming that fosters a more inclusive campus environment and how other libraries might do the same.

Implementing Excellence In Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Library Workforce: Tips To Overcome Challenges, Kanu A. Nagra, Bernadette M. López-Fitzsimmons

Publications and Research

Diversifying the library workforce is challenging, with the graduation data of library and information science degrees not representing equity in demographics for diverse populations. Is this the reason for the lack of diversity among library staff or are recruitment practices not based on measurable performance standards? Both questions call upon the library and information science (LIS) profession to address diverse staffing issues to remedy these challenges.

Systemic Racism In The United States, Ari Emilia Short

Libraries

This bibliography contains an annotated selection of articles and studies related to systemic racism in the United States of America, covering 21st-century racial inequities in criminal justice, housing, employment, voting, education, and healthcare. Given the contentious nature of this topic - whether and to what extent systemic racism exists in the United States - sources were selected for relative neutrality, authority, and quality of methodologies used. This piece is intended to assist leaders, educators, activists, and any who wish to become better informed about this topic, develop empathy toward impacted groups, and prepare to address institutional concerns related to diversity, …

Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion Climate Assessment Activities: Development And Strategic Use In Diversity Action Plans, Dr. Kristen M. Radsliff Rebmann, Parinaz Zartoshty, Kim Green, Erin Kelly-Weber, Dr. Vidalino Raatior, Lori Vonderach

School of Information Student Research Journal

This project report describes climate assessment activities in support of the development of a college-level diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) action plan. Elements of the climate assessment activities are described along with their purpose and rationale for inclusion. Recommendations are made for libraries to design and deploy their own EDI assessment activities with the goal of developing robust action plans supportive of inclusive excellence.

Research Participation And Employment For Autistic Individuals In Library And Information Science: A Review Of The Literature, Nancy Everhart, Amelia M. Anderson

STEMPS Faculty Publications

Autism prevalence is growing, and autistic people themselves are important in the library and information science field, both as library patrons and employees. Including them in all stages of research about the neurodivergent experience is valuable, and their input and participation is increasingly used in technology research, particularly usability studies. Neurodivergent persons also have unique abilities that align with a wide array of information professions and accommodations can be made that allow them to thrive in the workplace. It is critical that meaningful involvement of autistic individuals is a component of making policy at all levels.

The Role Of The University Library In Creating Inclusive Healthcare Hackathons: A Case Study With Design Thinking Processes, Bethany S. Mcgowan

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Librarians can utilize design thinking practices to develop instructional materials, in the development of new products and services, and in prototyping novel solutions to problems. This paper will explore the role of design thinking in teaching and learning via the use of the Blended Librarians Adapted Addie Model (BLAAM), and will illustrate how well-designed learning approaches can be used to create inclusive learning environments. It will present a case study showcasing how an academic health sciences librarian utilized a design thinking process to create a health data literacy instruction service that encourages diverse participation in healthcare hackathons.

Did U Know...?, Andrea Belair

2019 Diversity and Inclusion Certification Course

Did U Know...? is a collaborative project from Union College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and Andrea Belair, Librarian for Archives and Special Collections. The goal of the project was to bring out under-represented voices and issues from Union College’s past through the use of primary source materials.

Building And Maintaining Lgbtq+ Picture Book Collections, Alissa Droog, Danielle Bettridge, Alyssa R. Martin, Ashleigh Yates-Mackay

FIMS Publications

The LGBTQ+ community has had to continuously fight for their rights, including their right to be represented in the library. This toolkit provides instruction on how to develop and manage a library collection of LGBTQ+ children’s picture books. It is split into four sections that include a guide to evaluating materials, recommended picture books, a guide to fighting censorship, and a list of recommended resources.

Influences On The Choice Of Library Science Graduate Study: An Examination Of Cultural And Social Capital, Economic Factors, Gender, And Race, Rhonda K. Armstrong

Ed.D. Dissertations

The demographics of the library and information profession in the United States, which is primarily White and female, do not reflect the diversity of the population and those libraries serve. To further the understanding of who chooses library science graduate programs and how one might take social justice actions for more diversity, this study employed a post-positivist, quantitative study blended with critical theory. The study used Perna’s college choice model, which considers cultural capital, social capital, and economic factors as influential on college choice decisions. The study utilized a secondary data set, the Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study 2008/2012 data …

University Libraries Equity & Inclusion Committee White Paper, Janelle Yahne, Samantha Minnis, Annie Bélanger, Jacklyn Rander, Matthew Reidsma, Gayle Schaub, Jennifer Torreano

Library Reports and Communication

By Fall 2017, ULEIC, and the task force before it, had been successful in bringing training opportunities to the attention of Libraries faculty and staff. However, the committee was struggling with defining its scope in relation to the work of Faculty Development and Support Committee (FDSC) and Department Heads. Collaborating with the Dean, it was decided to move forward with a co-creation facilitation, which would engage all members of ULEIC, to define:

• The vision/purpose for the committee
• It's relationships and partnerships with other library and campus groups
• The desired outcomes
• A new charge
• A workplan

This report summarizes the findings …

Diversity And Cultural Competence In The Lis Classroom: A Curriculum Audit, J. A. Jacobs, Nicole A. Cooke

Faculty Publications

In a case study examining a library and information science graduate curriculum, 18 graduate students engaged in a comprehensive diversity audit of the School of Information Science curriculum. The diversity audit was a student-generated review of 108 syllabi and permitted students to engage in an action-learning project that benefited the school and allowed them, and the school’s faculty, to see first-hand why diversity and cultural competence are important facets of library and information science curricula.

Accessibility Of Diverse Literature For Children In Libraries: A Literature Review, Renee I. Ting

School of Information Student Research Journal

This literature review addresses the issues surrounding accessibility of culturally diverse children’s literature in libraries, including the importance of making diverse literature accessible, the availability of such titles on the market, library collection development of diverse books, and selection criteria among children. These issues, in sum, determine how many books are available to children, how they are made available, and if children will even choose to read them. The review shows that the data is unclear on many points regarding the benefits of diverse literature, though intuitive claims of the positive influence of such titles are not discounted. It also …

“There Is Nothing Inherently Mysterious About Assistive Technology”: A Qualitative Study About Blind User Experiences In Us Academic Libraries, Adina Mulliken

Publications and Research

Eighteen academic library users who are blind were interviewed about their experiences with academic libraries and the libraries’ websites using an open-ended questionnaire and recorded telephone interviews. The study approaches these topics from a user-centered perspective, with the idea that blind users themselves can provide particularly reliable insights into the issues and potential solutions that are most critical to them. Most participants used reference librarians’ assistance, and most had positive experiences. High-level screen reader users requested help with specific needs. A larger number of participants reported contacting a librarian because of feeling overwhelmed by the library website. In some cases, …

We Are Your Library, Fleet Library, Lareese Hall

Critical Librarianship

RISD Fleet Library statement printed on signs adorning the library doors.

The Devaluation Of The Library Degree_Konata.Pdf, La Loria Konata

La Loria Konata

Technology, Diversity, Web Accessibility, And Ala Accreditation Standards In Mlis, Adina Mulliken

Publications and Research

This paper discusses an interconnection between diversity and technology: web accessibility for all, including people with disabilities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight MLIS professors and two students or recent alumni. Findings showed attitudes regarding teaching web accessibility and recruitment of a diverse student body varied between professors who were familiar with web accessibility and those who were not. Participants who were familiar with web accessibility often thought it should be included within ALA Standards for Accreditation. Findings suggested that, in one school, incorporating diversity in their curriculum, including web accessibility, allowed recruitment of a more diverse student body and …

Empowered To Name, Inspired To Act: Social Responsibility And Diversity As Calls To Action In The Lis Context, Sarah T. Roberts, Safiya Umoja Noble

FIMS Publications

Social responsibility and diversity are two principle tenets of the field of library and information science (LIS), as defined by the American Library Association’s Core Values of Librarianship document, yet often remain on the margins of LIS education, leading to limited student engagement with these concepts and to limited faculty modeling of socially responsible interventions. In this paper, we take up the need to increase the role of both in articulating the values of diversity and social responsibility in LIS education, and argue the field should broaden to put LIS students and faculty in dialog with contemporary social issues of …

Finding “Diversity Levers” In The Core Library And Information Science Curriculum: A Social Justice Imperative, Kafi D. Kumasi, Nichole Manlove

School of Information Sciences Faculty Research Publications

In this exploratory study, the researchers examined the core library and information science (LIS) curriculum, looking for diversity levers, or conceptual access points, where transformative academic knowledge related to diversity and social justice could be meaningfully integrated. Multicultural curriculum reform, conceptualized as a social justice approach, was the guiding framework for the research design and analysis. The researchers began by establishing what constitutes the core curriculum and essential knowledge taught across thirty-six ALA-accredited master’s of library and information science degree programs. These data were then used to construct a survey that went to one hundred LIS faculty at ALA institutions …

Old Ideas In New Skins: Examining Discourses Of Diversity On The Websites Of 10 Urban-Serving Universities, Simone Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Deficit discourse, the idea that minorities "lack" intellectually, runs through current ideas about diversity in higher education. Diversity is viewed as a policy that helps the deficient. Recent litigation about diversity, Fisher v. University of Texas (2013), embodied the alignment of deficit and diversity. This study examined portrayals, visual and textual, of diversity on the websites of ten urban-serving universities, using a method of critical discourse analysis and a lens of critical race theory, to uncover the ways they defined diversity and if notions of deficit were attached. This study also addressed the ways these universities, a part of the …

The Foundations Of Student Affairs: A Guide To The Profession, Dallas Long

Dallas Long

Student affairs is a large, complex area of campus operations and is comprised of many departments with professionals from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. Long provides a short history of the student affairs profession, followed by an overview of the departments in a typical student affairs division and the responsibilities and goals of the professionals in those departments. Long also describes the values that guide the work of student affairs professionals and the contemporary challenges they face.