OLC's Diversity Awareness and Resources Committee is responsible for recommending ways in which OLC can address diversity as it relates to the library profession in general and to the Ohio library community in particular. These aspects include age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation and ethnicity. Through training, speakers, workshops, and publications, the Committee serves as a resource on diversity to the Council and its membership.
The American Library Association (ALA) invites members from all types of libraries to participate in the Diversity and Outreach Fair taking place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. Sponsored by DEMCO, the fair is organized by the Office for Literacy and Outreach Services as a way to celebrate examples of diversity in American libraries and demonstrate possibilities to libraries seeking diversity in action ideas. This year's theme is Services to Older Adults. Please see the ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair news release for more information.
The Ohio Library Council's Outreach & Special Services Division presents Outreach Inside-Out: A Special Outreach Retreat. This one-day conference on Friday, August 7 will cover a wide variety of issues including outreach services advocacy, grant writing, training for early literacy, green initiatives, services to elderly customers, and more. This retreat is open to all outreach services staff and all OLC members wishing to learn more about outreach services. The OLC also welcomes outreach services staff around the country to attend and to share their ideas and perspectives. Cost (includes lunch): $75 OLC members / $90 all others. Location: OCLC, Dublin, OH. The Workshop Description offers full information and a link to register online.
The 2010 National Diversity in Libraries Conference, NDLC2010: From Groundwork to Action, will take place from July 14-16, 2010 in Princeton, NJ. The National Diversity in Libraries Conference (NDLC) is a biennial event that serves as a regional meeting for library staff members to discuss diversity issues, especially issues common to the host region's culture. The 2010 NDLC Planning Committee invites you to submit a proposal for presentation at the conference. Please see the Call for Proposals for more information.
The 1000 Voices Archive is a curated, national collection of video stories created by filmmakers and communities across the U.S. According to the site, 1000 Voices "is being presented at a critical time when our nation's ideas about social equity and community are widely being called into question. By 2009, the 1000 Voices Archive will contain the selected stories of 1000 Americans as they evoke the values they cherish most". The videos may be used in trainings and programs to spur discussion about local issues.
Serving Non-English Speakers in U.S. Public Libraries is a March 2008 report from the American Library Association. This study provides new information about library services and programs developed for non-English speakers, including effectiveness of services, barriers to library use, most frequently used services and most success library programs by language served.
The 2006 OLC Diversity Conference was a big success, with excellent speakers and networking over two days of workshops, conversations, and celebration on June 7-8, 2006. The conference featured library-based programs that expand cultural awareness, increase sensitivity to economic, physical, and social differences, encourage advocacy, cooperation, and partnerships, heighten self-awareness, and showcase best practices in services and programming. For details, please see Diversity Conference: A Conference of National Caliber on the OLC web site, and explore 2006 Diversity Conference handouts and materials.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences and University Library System Minority Librarian Fellowship and Residency Program offers minority candidates an opportunity for pursuing the Master's in Library and Information Science degree while gaining valuable, "hands-on" experience in a large academic library system. The goal of this two-year program is to increase the number of underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities within academic librarianship by providing the graduate education and the practical experience critical for successful entrance into the profession. Call (412) 624-3988 or e-mail tkizina@mail.sis.pitt.edu for information and an application packet.
The Committee is responsible for recommending ways in which OLC can address diversity as it relates to the library profession in general and to the Ohio library community in particular. These aspects include age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation and ethnicity. Through training, speakers, workshops, and publications, the Committee serves as a resource on diversity to the Council and its membership.
Committee objectives and other information may be found on the Diversity Awareness and Resources Committee section of the OLC website.
Updated 6/17/09