Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Working Group

Description

The DEIA Working Group supports and advances the Library’s DEIA efforts broadly, and anti-racism initiatives specifically, in regards to library services, collections, spaces, digital and physical resources, and staffing. The Working Group reviews and recommends library practices to address the ways in which structural racism is embedded in library practices and policies (see The Bowdoin College Library Commitment to Anti-Racism); considers the ways in which this work intersects with the philosophy and practice of inclusive excellence; and serves a coordinating function for DEIA and anti-racism initiatives across library departments.

Charge and Responsibilities

• Solicit input from Library staff regarding DEIA-related issues and respond as appropriate, including by advancing recommendations to the Library Leadership Team (LLT) based on staff input.
• Identify and recommend activities and learning opportunities to further advancement in DEIA-related efforts, especially focusing on library practices and aligning with collegewide programs and initiatives. Collaborate with other campus departments and groups and CBB as appropriate.
• Communicate the committee's work with the staff and the Bowdoin community as
• Advance identified initiatives (see below).

Initiatives/Projects Fiscal Year 2024

• Develop regular communication templates to promote relevant DEIA-related events, projects, and literature in the Library, across campus, and within the field.
  • Continue to solicit/gather resources for, maintain, and publicize the Library’s DEIA Resources LibGuide.
• Liaise with LLT to identify themes or topics that are of interest to the Bowdoin staff (FY24) and collaborate on all-staff activities/learning opportunities that will further the Library’s DEIA-related efforts (carried from FY22).
• Continue to examine recruitment, hiring, and supervisory practices and policies at the library in the context of College HR policies and best practices for DEIA in
  • Consider staff retention as an integral part of this work.

Membership

The DEIA WG reports to the Library Leadership Team. The group is comprised of six members, including two co-chairs, who are appointed and should be representative of the library's staff and its work. Members serve a two-year term, except for one co-chair, who, for the sake of continuity, will serve a three-year term (member, co-chair, past co-chair).

Project-based teams will be formed and will be comprised of Working Group members and other staff volunteers (with a supervisor's permission).

Meetings and Reporting

• The full Working Group will meet periodically as determined by the co-chairs.
• Each Project Team will be facilitated by a member of the Working Group and will meet as needed.
• The minutes of the Working Group will be posted publicly on Teams.
• The Working Group will provide a report to the Library Leadership Team once each semester.

Members FY24

• Alexander Elliott (year 2), co-chair
• Sue O'Dell (year 2)
• Coral Sheldon-Hess (year 1)
• Guy Saldanha (year 1)
• Marieke Van Der Steenhoven (year 1), co-chair
• Ryan Wheeler, (year 3), past co-chair