Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
USU Libraries embraces USU's Principles of Community. In putting these principles into practice, we commit to actively developing a culture that supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
DEIA Statement
Our Values:
- We believe supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility enhances library services for all.
- We believe positive change requires vulnerability, continual learning, and the ongoing improvement of our services and policies.
- We believe in holding ourselves accountable for positive change.
USU Libraries is committed to fulfilling our mission to support “inquiry, discovery, and engagement” by investigating and overcoming barriers and inequities that prevent the USU community, particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented groups, from fully participating in the learning and research process.
Our Commitments:
- We will work to ensure library resources and services are accessible and representative.
- We will cultivate safe and welcoming library spaces.
- We will foster recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and staff.
We acknowledge that addressing and correcting inequities does not happen overnight, nor can it effectively take place without a variety of voices and perspectives to ensure that one person’s stepping-stone will not become another’s obstacle. The USU Libraries are committed to continuous service improvement.
Acknowledgements: This statement draws on work done by the USU Aggies Think Care Act, the Association of College and Research Libraries, the efforts and input of the USU Libraries faculty and staff along with other institutional models.Values in Action: 2023-2024
Review of USU open educational resource projects for accessibility improvements.
Universal Design for Learning professional development opportunity for instructors.
Creation of year-round heritage month displays for the LLC at USU Eastern.
Re-opening of the library's family room to a new more prominent location to support students with children.
History Department course integration with Special Collections and Archives on Title IX and the USU women's volleyball and basketball program.
Partnership with Center for Intersectional Gender Studies and Research on LibGuides.
Taggert Student Center tabling in celebration of Juneteenth
Ongoing work on harmful language statements for our bibliographic and archival records.
Trained two Blanding participants in the NASMP 2023 group.
DEIA Learning Circle Steering Committee Charge
Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that harmful ideologies and practices were used in creating our systems of higher education and are still persistent today. The creation and implementation of this charge is part of our ongoing work to actively dismantle these ideologies and practices.
Definition
Learning circles are characterized by their flexibility and emphasis on peer-learning. The DEIA Learning Circle Steering Committee will actively seek out feedback and participation from USU Library staff throughout the implementation of this charge. DEIA stands for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Charge
Guide USU Libraries in developing a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment characterized by equal access and equitable participation for all USU students, employees, and the general public. Learning circle members will collaboratively develop discussion, learning content, and action items that are relevant and meaningful to current USU Libraries and broader University needs. The DEIA Learning Circle Steering Committee will assist with the following:
- Advise USU Library Administration as needed on issues and targeted projects related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- Provide training and learning opportunities for library staff at all levels. Specifically, the group is charged with holding two events per year (in addition to the DEIA Forum described below).
- Initiate, support, and share the work of smaller groups engaged with DEIA across library units and facilitate an annual USU Libraries DEIA Forum.
- Align the Library’s DEIA work with that of the broader University by collaborating with campus groups and ensuring that information about their work and other university initiatives is communicated to all Library staff.
- Model methods for engaging in discussion of DEIA topics and issues, and foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment.
In facilitating this work, potential collaborators could include but should not be limited to: the USU Libraries Staff Development and Engagement Committee, the Center for Teaching Excellence, the Inclusion Center, the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice, the Center for Intersectional Gender Studies, and the Office of Equity.
Budget
$2,500 annually
Membership
A group of 5-7 individuals from across the library and staff levels will be selected each year to serve as the Learning Circle’s Steering Committee on staggered 2-year terms. One steering committee member will be selected to serve as the convenor of meetings and liaison to USU Libraries administration.
Learning Circle Steering Committee for FY23:
- Lexy Gonzalez, USU Price LLC
- Rachel Lawyer, Student Success & User Experience
- Kelly Rovegno, Special Collections & Archives
- Steph Western, Collections Strategies
- Jennifer Duncan, Library Admin Liaison (permanent member)