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 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.

Committee Composition

Composed of up to ten members, serving three-year, staggered terms.

Committee Reports

  1. Lindsay Holbrook Lindsay Holbrook, Co-chair Librarian at Chicago Public Library

    Co-chair Term ends 06/30/2022
    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  2. Rosie Williams-Baig Rosie Williams-Baig, Co-chair Director at Nancy L. McConathy Public Library

    Co-chair Term ends 06/30/2022
    Member Term ends 06/30/2023
  3. Brittany Coleman Brittany Coleman, Member Stickney-Forest View Public Library District

    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  4. Sophie Kenney Sophie Kenney, Member Assistant Director, Youth Department at Glen Ellyn Public Library

    Member Term ends 06/30/2023
  5. Mary Ann Lema Mary Ann Lema, Member Prairie Trails Public Library District

    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  6. Hannah Rapp Hannah Rapp, Member Head of Readers Advisory & Teen Services at Berwyn Public Library

    Member Term ends 06/30/2022
  7. Jazmin Wilson Jazmin Wilson, Member Children's/Teen Librarian at Lemont Public Library District

    Member Term ends 06/30/2024
  8. Megan Young Megan Young, Member Arlington Heights Memorial Library

    Member Term ends 06/30/2023
  9. Laura L. Barnes Laura L. Barnes, Board liaison Sustainability Information Curator at Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

    Board liaison Term ends 06/30/2022
  10. Tamara Jenkins Tamara Jenkins, Staff liaison Illinois Library Association

    Staff liaison Term ends 06/30/2025
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