• Identifies strategies to increase membership in ILA of librarians, trustees, and support staff of varied cultures and races and to provide opportunities for involvement in leadership positions for these members.

• Identifies strategies to recruit workers of varied cultures and races in libraries and to provide support for these workers to obtain professional library degrees, if desired.

• Encourages libraries to employ work forces that reflect the cultural and racial composition of their communities.

• Encourages governing boards to reflect the cultural and racial composition of their communities.

• Positions the Illinois library community to participate effectively in the opportunities provided by ALA's Spectrum Initiative.

• Seeks partnerships with library institutions and organizations to support these initiatives.

• Monitors and evaluates diversity efforts in the association and reports to the ILA Executive Board annually about achievements, continuing challenges, and strategies for change.

• Committee membership is not more than ten personal members from diverse types of library settings.  Members serve a three-year, staggered term including one member serving a one-year term.  Chair is appointed by the vice president/president-elect of ILA for one year.

Visit the Cultural and Racial Diversity Committee blog.

2011-2012 Chair
Sharon Highler (term on committee 2009–2012)
Northlake Public Library District
231 N. Wolf Rd.
Northlake, IL  60164
phone:  (708) 562-2301
fax:  (708) 562-8120
e-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Members

Barbara Adrianopoli, 2009–2012
Amani Ayad, 2011–2014
Maria Otero-Boisvert, 2011–2014
Vandella Brown, 2009–2013
Melody Coleman, 2010–2012
Ladislava Khailova, 2009–2012
Mary Medjo Me Zengue, 2011–2014
Neena Nagpal, 2010–2013
Mary Alfreda Osorio, 2011–2012
Kay Shelton, 2009-2012

Board Liaison
Terry Cottrell