Diversity at Penn Libraries: Video, Blog, and Other Resources

By Lindsay McKenzie
An Ithaka S+R survey of research libraries reveals a lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the profession, particularly at the upper levels. (8/30/2017)
See next bullet for link to full survey report.

By Roger C. Schonfeld and Liam Sweeney
The library community considers diversity to be a core value. But, the academic library sector has struggled with addressing equity, diversity, and inclusion. One key shortcoming has been in its efforts to ensure representative numbers of library employees of color ... (8/30/2017)

A conversation with Jamal J. Elias, Walter H. Annenberg Professor in the Humanities and scholar of Islamic thought, culture, and history. Thursday, October 6, 2016 By Blake Cole

The Association of Research Libraries is committed to documenting voices of under represented populations, and to creating and sustaining library and information organizations that not only are diverse and inclusive, but that fully leverage those assets to ensure intellectual and social growth and engagement for all stakeholders.

The following submissions, from ARL member library directors and other staff, highlight what ARL member organizations are doing to support social justice movements, and to contribute in meaningful ways to the advancement of diversity, inclusion, and equality.

NEW From ACRL. By Gina Calia-Lotz and Cindy Conley.

By Angela Galvan.
Summary: Despite the growing body of research on our professional demographics and multi-year diversity initiatives, librarianship in the United States remains overwhelmingly white. I suggest the interview process is a series of repetitive gestures designed to mimic and reinforce white middle class values, which ultimately influence the hiring decisions—and relative lack of diversity—of librarianship as a whole. I consider how the whiteness of librarianship may manifest long before the hiring process. By identifying and interrogating the body of white, middle class values inherent to both librarianship and professional job searching, I offer suggestions to encourage an authentically diverse pool of applicants.

By April Hathcock.
Summary: Whiteness—an ideological practice that can extend beyond notions of racial supremacy to other areas of dominance—has permeated every aspect of librarianship, extending even to the initiatives we claim are committed to increasing diversity. This state of affairs, however, need not remain. This article examines the ways in which whiteness controls diversity initiatives in LIS, particularly in light of the application requirements set upon candidates. I then suggest ways to correct for whiteness in LIS diversity programs by providing mentorship to diverse applicants struggling to navigate the whiteness of the profession and concurrently working in solidarity to dismantle whiteness from within.

Diversity News and Commentary. Diversity Inc. focuses on encouraging best practices for creating and sustaining diverser workplaces.

Links and information regarding Association for Research Libraries fellowships, leadership programs, and more

Links and information regarding ALA Diversity initiatives, opportunities, and programs