Diversity Committee

The Library Diversity Committee provides leadership and guidance to the Library by encouraging awareness about and discussions of diversity. Specifically, the Committee will focus on diversity issues with regard to Library climate, staff training and development, services to patrons, and campus outreach.

Working with Library Administration, the Human Resources Office, and the Staff Development and Training Committee, the Library Diversity Committee will establish and prioritize goals regarding the provision of diversity services and training. The Committee will also plan and promote diversity activities within the Library. Finally, the Committee will support, if and when appropriate, the work of the Library’s Affirmative action Officer and Equal Employment Opportunity Committee.

Charge

The Committee is appointed by the University Librarian, with the advice of the Executive Committee. The Gender and Multicultural Services Librarian, the Inclusive Illinois Representative(s), and a representative from Library Human Resources will serve as ex-officio members. In addition, the Committee will include one member from the International and Area Studies Library. The Committee will also include at least six additional members at-large. Members at-large are full- or part-time Library employees from both academic and support staffs, serve two-year staggered terms, and may be appointed to one successive term. The chair is appointed annually by the University Librarian. Additional members may be appointed to represent special concerns.

Additional Committee Information

Message from Library Dean Wilkin

The University of Illinois library is committed to diversity. The greater the complexity of a task or problem, the better the outcome if varied perspectives are brought to creating the resolution. If everyone thinks in the same way, our innovation and creativity are limited. In all aspects of our work, in order to solve problems and innovate, we need different points of view, different mental models, different training, different understanding, different approaches. We need difference. Research supports the notion that teams with diverse experiences perform better than those with homogeneous experiences. The complexity of our challenges demands that we strive for diversity in our organization.

Meeting Details

Spring 2022 Meeting Schedule:

• February 1, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• March 1, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• April 5, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
• May 3, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

All meetings will be conducted remotely.