Diversity Committee

Submitted by Ken Burhanna

Annual Report

6/22/2009

Annual Conference

At the 34th annual conference, the Diversity Committee sponsored the session “When an Affirmative Action Officer is Not Enough.” Beverly I. McDonald of Ohio State University provided an in depth look at Ohio State University’s Diversity Residency program, discussing their experiences and what works and doesn’t work. She also provided connections to several helpful resources on diversity, including Ohio State’s own planning documents.

The committee created a nice poster display for their table to be used at conference events. Care was taken to create pieces that could easily be reused for future conference (no dates are mentioned). The display received several compliments and should serve the committee with slight alterations for several years going forward.

Diversity Scholarship

At the 34th annual conference, I also presented Ms. Sanjyot Selkirk with a certificate recognizing her as the 2008-2009 recipient of the ALAO Diversity Scholarship. The diversity committee (as many members as possible) sat together at lunch and visited with Ms. Selkirk. She was also recognized on a poster at the Diversity Committee’s information table.

Kiffany Francis (Co-Chair of TEDSIG) of Cleveland State University agreed to serve as professional mentor for 2008 Diversity Scholarship winner Sanjyot Selkirk. Kiffany’s expertise in technical services and metadata librarianship match well with the course of study being pursued by Ms. Selkirk.

The committee named Joshua Alvarez, who will be attending Kent State University’s SLIS program in the fall, as the 2009-2010 winner of the ALAO Diversity Scholarship. We had only four applicants, but they were very strong. Joshua was selected for his record of academic achievement, his broad and mature understanding of diversity, and his future leadership potential. He is currently attending Case Western Reserve University and will be graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in history and religious studies. He will be awarded a $1500 scholarship, free registration to the ALAO annual conference and a year of mentoring.

Procedures Manual Revisions

The revisions to the Procedures Manual for the Diversity Committee charge and the Diversity Scholarship were discussed and approved at Leadership Retreat in June 2008 (changes have yet to appear online). The changes were in large part put forth to align policy with practice.

During the scholarship review process, we uncovered several potential revisions to the application which could help to streamline future administrations of the scholarship. They are as follows:

1. Revise the criteria to read “Must be a full-time or part-time student in MLS program as of the following fall term”. We received and have in the past received applications from graduating students. If they were to win the award, the funds aren’t released until July usually, and in that case the student would no longer be in school.
2. Revise to ask applicants to clearly define their status for the following fall. This will make it clear to us whether or not the student has been admitted to an MLS program or if they have just applied.
3. Revise prompt for recommendations to ask that reference writers speak directly to the candidate’s commitment to diversity. In the recent review, no recommendations spoke to diversity.

Diversity Workshop

On 1 May 2009 the committee held its spring 2009 diversity workshop at Kent State University. The workshop was well received by participants. The program was called “Effective Intercultural Competency and Communication: Working Across Cultures with International Students and Scholars”. Beth Tucker and Mary Ilu Altman of Purdue University facilitated the workshop. Twenty-four people attended the conference. Workshop evaluations were almost entirely positive. Some found the session not only helpful, but inspiring. Some did feel the session could have focused more on practical situations that arise in libraries. All-in-all the workshop was a great success.

Committee Membership

Two committee members are completing their terms: Cliff Glaviano and Angel Gondek. Both are valued and active members who have agreed to serve additional two year terms.

The diversity committee lost one member. Angela Gooden of University of Cincinnati left her position and moved with her family to Texas.

Kwabena Sekyere of Miami University has joined the Diversity Committee to complete the term vacated by Angela Gooden.

Current Roster for 2008-2009

Ken Burhanna, Kent State University, Chair (2008-2010)
Angel Gondek, Columbus State (2007-2009) wishes to be reappointed
Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State University (2007-2009) wishes to be reappointed
Diane Kolosionek, Cleveland State (2008-2010)
Kwabena Sekyere , Miami University (2008-2010)
Sharon Purtee, University of Cincinnati (2008-2010)
Peggy Rector, Denison University, PR Coordinator
Doug Morrison, Past President