University Libraries Strategic Diversity Plan – 2014 – 2018
Draft 2 – 03-4-14
At UNCG, one of the core values of the institution is inclusiveness as outlined in the current
strategic plan: “Inclusiveness – A welcoming and inclusive academic community, based on
open dialogue and shared governance, offers a culture of caring with visible, meaningful
representation of differences.”
The University Libraries seeks to promote and provide a culture of diversity and inclusiveness
for all library patrons through its collections and services.
University Libraries defines diversity as:
The vibrant variety of human characteristics that combine to shape each one of us.
These characteristics include not only the familiar categories of race, ethnicity,
gender and sexual orientation, but also: age, cognitive style, disability, economic,
educational and geographic background, languages spoken, marital status,
political affiliation, religious beliefs and more.
Valuing diversity means recognizing that we are all shaped by numerous and
varied factors, making each of us uniquely qualified to contribute to the collective
goal of the libraries -- to serve the diverse information needs of our diverse user
groups.*
The Libraries’ definition of diversity is broad and this is intentional. As the student population
of UNCG becomes more varied and diverse and in keeping with the University’s Quality and
Enhancement Plan (QEP) which is Global Engagement, it crucial the Libraries are seen by
students, faculty and staff as a unit that values diversity and inclusion.
As an example of the commitment to diversity, University Libraries has created a Diversity
Resident Librarian program, which is a post-graduate fellowship designed to increase diversity
within academic librarianship. There have been three Diversity Residents and is committed to
continuing the program. In an effort to increase diversity within librarianship, University
Libraries has partnered with the Department of Library and Information Studies (LIS) for three
Institute of Museum and Library Studies to host the ACE (Academic and Cultural Enhancement)
Scholars program which provides tuition, a stipend and professional development support from
professional librarians to graduate LIS students that are primarily from underrepresented
populations.
*http://library.uncg.edu/info/diversity/
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The Libraries Committee has worked to create strategic plan based on five goals:
Strategic Goal #1 – Ensure that the Libraries’ environment is inclusive and inviting to staff and
customers.
Strategic Goal #2 – Develop programming and outreach for the Libraries and the community in
support of diversity
Strategic Goal #3 – Support diversity in the curriculum and in other areas on campus.
Strategic Goal #4 – Support diversity in the UNCG curriculum
Strategic Goal #5 - Prepare our students to live and working in a diverse global world
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Strategic Goal No. 1 – Create and sustain a welcoming, supportive and inclusive campus
climate.
The UNCG campus community is made of people from all over the world. University Libraries
wants all its users to feel comfortable utilizing its services and we understand that utilizing those
resources for the enhancement of knowledge. In order to ensure that University Libraries is
providing an environment where all library users feel comfortable using its resources, we are
committed to demonstrating our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness by ensuring its
programming, collections and services reflect its global community of users.
Objectives
Provide a
welcoming
supportive and
inclusive work
environment for
library faculty
and staff
Action Items
●
●
●
Offer a cultural
enrichment
discussion/film
series for library
faculty and staff
Prepare library
exhibits that
recognize and
highlight the
diversity of the
campus.
Increase the
outreach for
various
populations with
the local area to
be reflective of
actual population.
Expected
Outcome
●
●
Increased
traffic into
the Libraries.
Increased
awareness of
the richness
of the
Libraries
collections.
Expected
Completion
Date
Ongoing
Responsible
Parties
Status
Diversity
Programming
Subcommittee,
Special
Collections &
Archives
(SCUA)
Strategic Indicators (Note: These will need to be tied to the Libraries Annual Assessment Plan)
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Strategic Goal No. 2 – Provide support for diversity programming, outreach and
understanding of the campus community, and within the librarianship profession.
Library programming will be designed to increase the utilization of library resources to provide
support to the educational experience for students and faculty. The Libraries are committed to
providing and supporting programs that will be reflective of the campus community.
Objectives
Provide support for
diversity
programming,
outreach and
understanding at
University
Libraries, across
campus and in the
profession.
Action Items
Expected
Outcome
●
●
●
●
●
Increase Special
Collections and
University Archives
(SCUA) exhibits
●
Collaborate with
the Office of
Multicultural
Affairs Center
(MRC) on at
least one activity
to highlight the
library resources
accessible in the
MRC.
Contribute to
heritage month
programming by
sponsoring
library displays
(For example,
African
American
History Month,
Women’s History
Month, etc.
Creation of a
bilingual (in
Spanish and
English)
bookmarks to
highlight
resources
available on
campus for
parents whose
first language
may not be
English
The Libraries
website is
available for
translation from
English to 43
languages.
Continue to use
Spartan Stories
and the SCUA
blog to inform
●
An attempt
to reach out
to the
increasing
Hispanic/La
tino
population
in the Triad
area.
Greater
ease of use
for those
whose first
language
may not be
English.
Expected
Completion
Date
Responsible
Parties
Status
Diversity
Programming
Subcommittee
Diversity
Programming
Committee, SCUA
staff,
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and programming
about diverse
populations and
their contribution to
UNCG and the
surrounding
community.
●
faculty, students
and staff about
the SCUA
collections and
items that discuss
the diverse
history of
UNCG.
Continue
building and
support for the
Women Veterans
Collection.
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Strategic Goal No. 3 – Support diversity in the curriculum and in other areas on campus
The Libraries are committed to providing resources that are available to support the various
curriculums on campus and making users aware of the resources that are available. Inclusion of
diversity within the curriculum provides a foundation for students to complete in an increasing
diverse world and provides faculty members access to research that goes beyond borders. All
benefit when they are provided access to materials from a variety of viewpoints.
Objectives
Support diversity in
the curriculum and in
other areas across
campus.
Action Items
●
●
●
Collaborate
with Library
and
Information
Studies (LIS)
on at least one
activity.
Continue
providing
instructional
opportunities
using the
collections with
other academic
units across
campus.
Increase
publicity to
other academic
units about the
Libraries
specific guides
and collections.
E.g. MRC &
Disability
Services
LibGuides.
Expected
Outcome
Increased
instructional
support of
curriculum and
diversity.
Expected
Completion
Date
Responsible
Parties
Status
SCUA Staff,
Reference &
Instruction
Staff,
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Strategic Goal No. 4 – Ensuring a library environment that is receptive to both staff and
user diversity.
We want all users of the Libraries services to feel welcome and feel that the resources we
provide are meeting their needs. In addition, we are firm in our commitment that a diverse staff
results in a more talented, creative and innovative workforce.
Objectives
Ensuring a library
environment that
is receptive to
both staff and user
diversity.
Action Items
●
●
●
Recruiting and
retaining a diverse
workforce
●
●
Expected
Outcome
Created new “Ask
Me” signs at the
Reference Desk in
a variety of
languages
Added holiday
greetings in a
variety of
languages on the
screen near Access
Services.
Partner with the
Office of
Accessibility
Services (OARS)
and the
International
Programs Center
(IPC) to ensure
that library
services provide
universal access
and enhance
visibility for
distinct
populations with
different learning
needs.
●
All professional
librarian positions
will be advertised
in sources
recommended by
Human Resources
Services that are
targeted and
diversity and
underrepresented
populations.
University
●
●
●
Expected
Completi
on Date
A physical
environment
that is
determined
to be more
welcoming.
Improved
accessibility
of products
and services
within
University
Libraries
Wider
diversity
within the
candidate
pools for
professional
positions.
Enhanced
staff
awareness of
the
importance
Responsible
Parties
Status
RIS, OARS,
IPC, Library
Diversity
Committee
Ongoing
Dean of Libraries,
HR Librarian,
Search Committee
Chairs
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●
To ensure that all
employees feel
that the Libraries
are a welcoming
and supportive
environment for
all employees,
regardless of
position or place
within the
organizational
hierarchy.
●
Libraries
leadership will
encourage staff
members to enroll
in professional
development
course offerings
from Human
Resources
Services that are
centered around
diversity.
Ensure that newly
hired employees
are made aware of
the various affinity
groups on campus
(Alianza, Black
Faculty and Staff
Association, Safe
Zone allies, etc.)
Include this
information on the
New Employee
Lib Guide.
●
in diversity
and the
Libraries’
expectations
of all
employees
Increased
awareness
for each
library
employee as
to the
importance
of diversity
within the
Libraries
staffing and
the
expectations
of all
employees.
●
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Strategic Goal #5 - We will prepare our students to live and work in an increasingly diverse
global world.
University Libraries will provide programming and resources to support for the UNCG current
QEP.
Objectives
●
●
Host library
programming
that will
support the
goals of the
campus QEP
“Global
Engagement”
Partner with
International
Programs to
library
displays that
will
emphasize
the Libraries
collection
reflection of
the
international
student
population on
campus.
Action Items
●
●
Promote
campus read
(“Little
Princes” by
Conor
Grennan) in
University
Libraries
Host a
discussion
group about
the campus
read
Expected
Outcome
●
●
Increased
awareness of
the impact of
human
trafficking
University
Libraries
participation
in the QEP.
Expected
Completion
Date
Ongoing
Responsible
Parties
Status
Diversity
Programming
Subcommittee,
●
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