Library Committee Handbook

Diversity Committee 

E-mail:
diversity@library.uiuc.edu

 

Library Diversity Committee Meeting 13 October 2009

Library Diversity Committee Meeting Minutes

October 13th, 2009
10-10:30 a.m.
428 Main Library

Emily Love, Chairing Meeting

B.A. Davis Howe, Minute Taker

Present:  B.A. Davis-Howe; Cindy Ingold; Cindy Kelly; Emily Love; Kim Matherly

1. Approval of September 8th minutes

The minutes were approved with several changes.

2. Diversity Statement for the Library - Cindy/Emily

There was excellent discussion of the sample diversity statements from other libraries Cindy Ingold had sent out before the meeting.  We are clear that we want to create a diversity statement for the whole Library, not just for the Diversity Committee as was the case in several of the sample statements.  Ideally, we would like to see a diversity statement incorporated into the next Strategic Plan for the Library.  A first draft (appended below) was created by combining the language we liked best from several of the sample statements.  This draft is being shared with the Diversity Committee for comments during this month.  We hope to revise and approve the draft at our November meeting to  forward to AC.  When we forward it to AC, we need to consider  how best to invite all library employees to participate in this process.

3. National Diversity in Libraries Conference - Emily

Emily and colleagues at other institutions are discussing presenting a panel on action-focused diversity training (as distinguished from the more common concept-focused diversity training).

Agenda items for future meetings, not discussed this month: 

Draft of diversity statement for the Library:

The University of Illinois Library is committed to an environment that welcomes, cultivates, values and celebrates the differences and contributions of all students, faculty and staff at the University of Illinois.

The Library recognizes diversity as a constantly changing concept. It is purposefully defined broadly as encompassing such individual and group differences as race, ethnicity, geographic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, education, religious and spiritual beliefs, health, physical and communicative ability, points of view, and learning styles.

The University Library is dedicated to creating a more inclusive community in all realms of service grounded in respect and appreciation for individual differences.  The Library strives to provide leadership in meeting the needs of all its constituencies and special populations.

Next Meeting:
November 10th, 2009
Cindy Chairing meeting
Kim Matherly taking minutes