The Æ»¹ûÒùÔº Library supports equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility work — in programming, services, teaching and learning, staff culture, scholarship, and advocacy,Ìýhowever, we still have much learning to do – as individuals working in an academic research library, Library administratorsÌýleading teams,Ìýand as an organization as a whole. We look to align Library initiatives with those outlined in Æ»¹ûÒùԺ’s Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism, Æ»¹ûÒùԺ’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan (2020-2025) and our to be taken in all areas of the academic research library organization. The Library commits to engaging with this challenging and ongoing work in a variety ofÌýways with the aim of building deep and meaningful change.
The following action items have been undertaken by Æ»¹ûÒùÔº Library in 2020-2021 or will be developed in 2021-2022 to address anti-Black racism and work in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).Ìý
Collections
Actions | Executive owner(s) | Progress |
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Create a LibGuide on anti-Black racism. | LibGuides Committee | Ìý![]() |
Continue to publish related LibGuides and add EDI content to existing LibGuidesÌýin adjacent subject areas. |
User Services |
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Create curated book displays in adjacent subject areas. | User Services |
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Make primary source material more accessible through the creation of Reference Guides for Æ»¹ûÒùÔº's Institutional History. | Rare Books & Special Collections, Osler Library of the History of Medicine, Visual Arts Collection, Archives (ROAAr) |
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Archive of web content that documents Æ»¹ûÒùÔº's response to Anti-Black Racism, specifically within the context of the 2020 conversations around Black Lives Matter and calls to address Anti-Black Racism and systemic racism. | Digital Initiatives and Æ»¹ûÒùÔº Archives |
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Animate primary resources featuring under-told Æ»¹ûÒùÔº stories. 1) Build a digital game that showcases the contributions of historical, racialized and ethnically diverse Æ»¹ûÒùÔºians. 2) Create of a podcast that explores the gaps in the Æ»¹ûÒùÔº Library collections where voices are under-represented. | ROAAr |
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Decolonization of subject headings. |
Collection Services |
2021-2023
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Continue to develop and curate collections and other resources that represent the voices and expressions of black, Indigenous, people of colour and other underrepresented communities. |
Collection Services |
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Library to support the planned monograph on Æ»¹ûÒùÔº history. | All units. | ![]() |
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Supporting Scholarly Practice
Actions | Executive owner(s) | Progress |
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Workshop for student journal editors on EDI Issues in scholarly publishing. This workshop describes specific actions journal teams can take to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their publication and teams based on existing journal practices. |
Jessica Lange |
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Improving Library Services
Actions | Executive owner(s) | Progress |
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Gain practical experience with improving web site accessibility and implement lessons learned. |
Digital Initiatives |
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Human Resources
Actions | Executive owner(s) | Progress |
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In collaboration with the Academic Personnel Office, develop and implement revised procedures for ensuring members of underrepresented groups are present on short lists when hiring librarians. Specific changes might include excluding women from the definition of under-represented groups for librarian hires (since librarianship is a majority female profession), to more effectively target candidates who represent other types of diversity. | Dean's Cabinet |
2021-2022Ìý |
In partnership with the School of Information Studies, implement a pilot program to recruit, train, and support people ofÌýcolourÌýin the field of librarianship. The pilot will provide funding for 2 Black students as Fellows, and the program if successful will extend to other under-represented groups in the future. Fellows will receive a tuition award in SIS to complete theÌýMIStÌýprogram, a part-time RA position in the Library while enrolled in SIS, and a two-year contract Librarian position following their earning of theÌýMISt. Initial applications are due January 15, 2023. Get more information. |
Dean’s Cabinet and all units & Æ»¹ûÒùÔº School of Information Studies |
2022-2023 |
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Professional Development
Actions | Executive owner(s) | Progress |
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Create professional development opportunities for staff to learn more about implicit bias and systemic racism. | Continuing Education Committee | Ìý |
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Spring, summer and fall 2021. |
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Implement a monthly internal talk series thatÌýhighlights EDI work done by Æ»¹ûÒùÔº Library staff and campus colleagues. The goal is toÌýshare information, build knowledge among library staff, and celebrate work that has been done.Ìý | Ìý |
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Cross-unit Collaborations
Actions | Executive owner(s) | Progress |
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Program to support graduate conducting students in the study and performance of music by composers from underrepresented groups. This 3-year pilot initiative is a collaboration between the Schulich School of Music, the Marvin Duchow Music Library, and its Gertrude Whitley Performance Library. The Program seeks to highlight the study of works by composers from underrepresented groups, in alignment with the University’s EDI Strategic Plan and Anti-Black Racism Action Plan. It aims to enrich the educational experience of conducting students and acknowledge their potential to bring positive influence and change to musical performance at Æ»¹ûÒùÔº and beyond. The successful candidates of the first round will perform works by underrepresented composers including William Grant Still, William L. Dawson, and Ulysses Kay. |
Schulich School of Music Marvin Duchow Music Library Gertrude Whitley Performance Library |
2022-2025Ìý |
TheÌýIndigenous Mentorship and Paid Research Experience for Summer Students (IMPRESS)ÌýoffersÌýIndigenous undergraduate students from Æ»¹ûÒùÔº or other Quebec post-secondary institutionsÌýa unique experiential learning opportunity to conduct research with a Æ»¹ûÒùÔº professor, or to work on a project at one of our units — all while being paid. IMPRESS will be working with Æ»¹ûÒùÔº Library to offer an eight week summerÌýinternship opportunity that will provide students with the opportunity to explore academic librarianship by partnering with one of the library’s four main units: User Services, Digital Initiatives, Collection Services, and Rare & Special Collections, Osler, Art and Archives (ROAAr).ÌýSpecific projects will be designed to best suit the interests and skills of candidates, along with the availability of librarian supervisors. Student will have the chance to work on projects in one or more of the following areas:Ìý
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User Services, Digital Initiatives, Collection Services, and Rare & Special Collections, Osler, Art and Archives (ROAAr). |
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Last updated October 12, 2022
For questions regarding the Library'sÌýEDI initiatives, ideas for future actions or collaboration opportunities, please feel free to reach out. Any communications including identifying information or situations will be kept confidential, and no identifying information will be shared without your written permission.