Diversity Committee

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.

  1. Jordan Neal Jordan Neal, Co-chair Career Librarian at Champaign Public Library

    Co-chair Term ends 06/30/2021
    Member Term ends 06/30/2023
  2. Hannah Rapp 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
  3. Katrina Belogorsky Katrina Belogorsky, Member Community Engagement Librarian at Skokie Public Library

    Member Term ends 06/30/2021
  4. Monica Boyer Monica Boyer, Member Youth Services Manager at Fox River Valley Public Library District

    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  5. Brittany Coleman Brittany Coleman, Member Stickney-Forest View Public Library District

    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  6. Lindsay Holbrook Lindsay Holbrook, Member Librarian at Chicago Public Library

    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  7. Mary Ann Lema Mary Ann Lema, Member Prairie Trails Public Library District

    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  8. JJ Pionke JJ Pionke, Member Librarian at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  9. Rosie Williams-Baig Rosie Williams-Baig, Member Nancy L. McConathy Public Library

    Member Term ends 06/30/2023
  10. Megan Young Megan Young, Member Arlington Heights Memorial Library

    Member Term ends 06/30/2023
  11. Jennifer Jackson Jennifer Jackson, Board liaison Undergraduate Engagement Librarian at University of Illinois at Chicago

    Board liaison Term ends 06/30/2021
  12. Tamara Jenkins Tamara Jenkins, Staff liaison Illinois Library Association

    Staff liaison Term ends 06/30/2025
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