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.
On Friday, July 17, the OLC Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2009 Ohio Library Council Convention & Expo, Oct. 21-23, in Cleveland. OLC has also cancelled the August 7 Outreach Retreat and several other education events. The OLC learned in a recent survey of library directors that very few libraries will have the funds to send library staff to education events at this time. In light of the recent developments in the state’s public library funding and the drastic adjustments that all libraries have been making to their operations, OLC felt this is the most responsible decision to make at this time. Learn more at OLC's home page.
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 7/22/09