Diversity Committee

The Diversity Committee develops, monitors, evaluates, and recommends diversity efforts in the association and initiates strategies

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 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. Katrina Belogorsky Katrina Belogorsky, Co-chair Adult Services Reference Librarian at Skokie Public Library

    Term ends 06/30/2018
  2. Trixie Dantis Trixie Dantis, Co-chair Youth Services Manager at Arlington Heights Memorial Library

    Term ends 06/30/2018
  3. Andrew Fuerste-Henry Andrew Fuerste-Henry, Member Reference & Instruction Librarian at Six Mile Regional Library District

    Term ends 06/30/2020
  4. Jeana Mays-Browne Jeana Mays-Browne, Member Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library District

    Term ends 06/30/2020
  5. Jordan Neal Jordan Neal, Member Champaign Public Library

    Term ends 06/30/2020
  6. Kelley D. Nichols-Brown Kelley D. Nichols-Brown, Member Library Director at Richton Park Public Library District

    Term ends 06/30/2020
  7. Nataliya Papushina Nataliya Papushina, Member Branch Supervisor at Indian Trails Public Library District

    Term ends 06/30/2019
  8. Hannah Rapp Hannah Rapp, Member Head of Readers Advisory & Teen Services at Berwyn Public Library

    Term ends 06/30/2019
  9. Jose Miguel Ruiz Jose Miguel Ruiz, Member Information Services Supervisor at Skokie Public Library

    Term ends 06/30/2020
  10. Nancy Weichert Nancy Weichert, Member University of Illinois at Springfield

    Term ends 06/30/2020
  11. Richard Kong Richard Kong, Board liaison Director at Skokie Public Library

    Term ends 06/30/2018
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