Diversity

 

GOAL: AZLA WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A DIVERSITY ACTION PLAN.

 

 

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I. OBJECTIVE: The Association will research diversity plans from similar library associations.

 

RESPONSIBILITY: Past-President and Executive Board.

BEGIN: November 2007

COMPLETE: November 2008

 

What does diversity mean to AZLA?

 

• Collections for a diverse population
  • ALA: Diversity in Collection Development

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/diversitycollection.htm

o       Planning for Diversity

http://www.lita.org/ala/diversity/diversityactionb/planning.cfm

 

• Human resource diversity

  • ALA: Diversity Counts – Office for Research and Statistics Office for Diversity  http://www.ala.org/ala/ors/diversitycounts/diversitycounts_rev0.pdf

  • American Library Association releases national study of diversity in library workforce    http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2006/october2006/ALAlibrarydiversitystudy.html

 

• Diversity awareness

   

   

   

   

• Diversity in Academic Libraries: Activities: http://isd.usc.edu/~lesinska/DIAL/act.htm

 

• “The News” Publication of the State Library of Ohio http://winslo.state.oh.us/newsletter/feb05feat3.html

 

• California Library Association Newsletter (diversity quotes p. 4)                                         

http://www.schoolibrary.org/pub/newsletterpdf/cslanews_02_07.pdf

 

• A forum to discuss, research and address diversity issues and trends

   

 

• Ethnic Library Associations

http://www.nclaonline.org/remco/Ethnic%20Associations.htm

 

• Tips on Program Planning (Diversity p. 3)

http://www.carl-acrl.org/Archives/NewsletterArchive/2007/TipsProgPlanDec07.pdf

 

• Texas Library Association (Cultural Diversity Statement)

http://www.txla.org/html/docs/rules.html#diversity

 

• Ohio Library Council: Diversity Conference Presentations and Materials

http://www.olc.org/diversity/conf2006.html

 

• A platform to develop policies, initiatives, and procedures for diversity issues

   

  • Diversity in Academic Libraries Interest Group-South http://www.carl-acrl.org/Documents/Bylaws/DIAL%20South%20bylaws%20final.htm

 

• Comprehensive Diversity Program Model

   

  • Ohio Library Council

http://www.olc.org/diversity/

 

 

 

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II. OBJECTIVE: The Association will create and implement a plan that addresses diversity within the leadership, committees, and membership.

 

RESPONSIBILITY: Past-President, in conjunction with Committee, Interest Group, and Division Chairs.

BEGIN: November 2007

COMPLETE: November 2008

 

Diversity Action Plan team

 

Matthew Piech - Arizona Department of Education, Adult Education Services

Mary Sagar - Basha Branch, Chandler PL

Ted Lieber - Hamilton Branch, Chandler PL

Mary Zavala - Chandler PL, acquisitions

Ray Ceo - Chandler PL, Sunset Branch, Library Assistant

Kris Cove - Chandler PL, ILL, Estrella Mountain CC, adjunct librarian

 

1) What do we mean by diversity?

 

Diversity signifies differences with a variety of contexts, including: ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, linguistic heritage, literacy-level, gender, sexual orientation, learning styles, educational background, culture, religion, geographic location, political affiliation, differently abled, occupation and level (management, MLS, support services), etc.

 

2) Enhance the Diversity of Support Services Available through the AzLA

 

By partnering with local and state agencies such as the Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Adult Education Programs, Literacy Volunteers, and Workforce Investment Agencies, the AzLA will realize greater diversity in its membership and become a more comprehensive and influential professional organization. To initiate such collaborations, the AzLA should:

 

i. Develop a list of potential partners. 

ii. Meet with representatives from these various agencies.  

iii. Explore the mutual benefits of partnerships.

iv. Establish liasions at each partner agency (Matthew Piech will try to provide contact information for potential AzLA partners currently in-place through the ADE/AES).  

v. Utilize partners' Webpages to promote the AzLA while inviting collaborative partners to list their organizations on the AzLA Website.

vi. Share other resources.

 

3) Strategies for Enhancing the Diversity of AzLA Membership

 

Recruitment:

 

a. Provide SIRLS and other recent MLS graduates who live and will work in Arizona with a free, one-year membership to the AzLA. Doing so will positively impact future AzLA membership.  Also, inform instructors of possible extra credit opportunities for their students.

 

b. Investigate free student membership or reduce existing student membership fees. (Presently, there are only 25 active students in the AzLA: 25 students x $30 per membership = $750)

 

c. Conduct a promotional membership campaign on dues structure.

 

d. Partner with Membership Committee to have a  membership drive  

 

Provide a Niche for Everyone:

 

a. Design diverse programs and trainings- reach out to paraprofessionals, students, literacy volunteers, adult education teachers, and workforce investment partners through conferences and state library offerings. Keep in mind that library staff are tired of customer service trainings. 

 

b. Provide leadership training and mentorship opportunities for new AzLA members

 

c. Offer an annual leadership camp and/or mini camps with more offerings. Consider virtual camps and incorporating leadership training into these camps.

 

d. Podcast and videocast conferences and archive them at AzLA.org