A survey of diversity and inclusiveness initiatives at Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions libraries
| Pages | 23-33 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-10-2017-0117 |
| Date | 14 January 2019 |
| Published date | 14 January 2019 |
| Author | Regina Koury,Jenny Lynne Semenza,Sandra Shropshire |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
A survey of diversity and
inclusiveness initiatives at
Carnegie Doctoral Research
Institutions libraries
Regina Koury
Department of Paul Robeson Library, Rutgers University,
Camden, New Jersey, USA, and
Jenny Lynne Semenza and Sandra Shropshire
Department of Library, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to describe survey findings on diversity and inclusion initiatives at
the Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries. The findings would be helpful to
libraries that are at the beginning of their own diversity and inclusion initiatives or that wish to compare
ongoing efforts.
Design/methodology/approach –The authors conducted a survey of Carnegie Doctoral Research
Institutions of Highe r Education libraries us ing Qualtrics, an onli ne survey software. Link to the survey
with a short explanation was e-mailed to the 324 identified cont acts and 151 responses were received a t the
end of the survey.
Findings –Survey responses revealed that the most prevalent types of diversity and inclusion initiatives fall
into one of three categories. These are the creation/enhancement of library collections, recruitment and
collaboration with other campus units. Not surprisingly, lack of money and other resources are identified as
challenges faced by those who engage in these initiatives.
Originality/value –No other research currently exists for those interested in assessing diversity and
inclusion initiatives at the Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries.
Keywords Advocacy, Academic libraries, Diversity, Inclusion, Cultural competency, Diversity initiatives
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The library profession has been at the forefront of advocating for diversity and
inclusiveness. In the USA, the push for racial equality was one of the concerns for the
American Library Association (ALA) during the twentieth century Depression era, and in
the 1980s, this brought increased emphases on recruitment and multicultural diversity
initiatives (Passet, 1994). And at present, equity, diversity and inclusion are acknowledged
as being fundamental values of the association and its members, and diversity is listed as
one of ALA’s key action areas (ALA, n.d.).
Reflecting these professional values while functioning within the context of higher
education, academic libraries provide collections and services in support of the university’s
teaching and research missions. The ACRL (2012) released a set of 11 diversity standards to
provide guidance for these libraries as they work to serve constituencies who are
increasingly diverse. Academic libraries, Association of College & Research Libraries
(ACRL), assert in the Standards’purpose statement, “must reflect the communities they
serve and provide quality services to their increasingly diverse constituencies.”
Association of Research Libraries (ARL) recognizes that today’s diversity is defined
beyond racial and ethnic groups and includes gender, sexual orientation, ability, language,
religious belief, national origin, age and ideas. Its 2017 “SPEC Kit 356: Diversity and
Inclusion”provides best practices to libraries on current recruitment and retention
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 1/2, 2019
pp. 23-33
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-10-2017-0117
Received 27 October 2017
Accepted 3 February 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
23
Diversity and
inclusiveness
initiatives
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