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 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 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.
Committee Reports
Committee Composition
Committee membership is not more than ten personal members from diverse types of library settings. Members serve three-year, staggered terms. Chair is appointed by the vice president/president-elect of ILA for one year.
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Jordan Neal, Co-chair Career Librarian at Champaign Public Library
Co-chair Term ends 06/30/2021
Member Term ends 06/30/2023
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Hannah Rapp, Co-chair Head of Readers Advisory & Teen Services at Berwyn Public Library
Co-chair Term ends 06/30/2021
Member Term ends 06/30/2022
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Katrina Belogorsky, Member Community Engagement Librarian at Skokie Public Library
Member Term ends 06/30/2021
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Monica Boyer, Member Youth Services Manager at Fox River Valley Public Library District
Member Term ends 06/30/2022
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Brittany Coleman, Member Stickney-Forest View Public Library District
Member Term ends 06/30/2022
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Lindsay Holbrook, Member Librarian at Chicago Public Library
Member Term ends 06/30/2022
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Mary Ann Lema, Member Prairie Trails Public Library District
Member Term ends 06/30/2022
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JJ Pionke, Member Librarian at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Member Term ends 06/30/2022
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Rosie Williams-Baig, Member Nancy L. McConathy Public Library
Member Term ends 06/30/2023
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Megan Young, Member Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Member Term ends 06/30/2023
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Jennifer Jackson, Board liaison Undergraduate Engagement Librarian at University of Illinois at Chicago
Board liaison Term ends 06/30/2021
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Tamara Jenkins, Staff liaison Illinois Library Association
Staff liaison Term ends 06/30/2025