Diversity Committee Illinois Library Association

News

Committee Spotlight - Diversity Committee: October 13, 2022; Charged with addressing issues in diversity, the ILA Diversity Committee works toward developing and recommending purposeful and actionable strategies to increase diversity within ILA. As part of the ILA Strategic Plan, diversity …

Committee Charge

The Committee's primary objectives are:

Initiate and promote training and library services that address issues in diversity.
Identify and promote best practices and resources for diversity and inclusion in the library profession and services.
Identify and promote strategies to recruit and retain diverse workers in Illinois libraries.
Provide mentoring and support for ALA’s Spectrum scholars and other diverse individuals in Illinois in obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions within the profession.
Develop, monitor, evaluate, and recommend diversity efforts in the association and initiate strategies, in conjunction with the Nominating Committee, to increase diversity in ILA’s membership and leadership.

The ILA Diversity Committee has adopted the following broad definitions of diversity and inclusion:

Diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital and/or familial status, mental and/or physical impairment and/or disability, military status, economic status, political affiliation, and other human distinguishing characteristics.

Inclusion is involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.