Diversity Initiatives

In addition to being one of the thrusts of the Simmons College strategic plan, diversity is a major facet of the 2010 Strategic Plan of the American Library Association, the largest library association in the world. At GSLIS, which is at the intersection of these plans, we're working to increase diversity within our college, and, by extension, our profession.

In spring 2004, GSLIS held a daylong retreat with the purpose of addressing ways to encourage diversity — among students and faculty, as well as throughout the curriculum. The GSLIS Diversity Action Plan (DAP) was developed based on the discussions held with faculty, students, and staff.

Prior to the American Library Association's 2007 Annual Conference, Spectrum Scholars from Simmons GSLIS particpated in the Spectrum Scholars Institute. From left to right, they are Alma Ramos McDermott, Amber Moore, Brenda Mitchell-Powell (in front), Holly Smith, Diana Wakimoto, and Emerita Yanes.

What's New?
Please see the beta version of our ALANA website project!

Since that time, there have been additional events and initiatives:

The ALANA (African American, Latin American, Native American, and Asian) Website Project is being developed by a team including Mimi Kolosseus, dean's fellow for special projects, Em Claire Knowles, assistant dean for student administrative services and Jennifer Doyle, GSLIS director of curriculum and communications. The presentation will highlight notable librarians of color among our alumni.
GSLIS conducted a second diversity survey.
Two diversity courses were developed with funding from the Simmons Diversity Council:

GSLIS welcomed six Spectrum Initiative Scholars in Fall 2006.
The third Diversity Summit, held in June 2005, featured De Etta Jones of the Association of Research Libraries, who spoke about incorporating diversity concerns into strategic planning. The summit provided an opportunity for the Simmons GSLIS and LIS community to continue the dialogue on ways to improve diversity at Simmons.
Simmons GSLIS hosts the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Black Librarians Network.
LISSA planned its first Alternative Spring Break at the Farragut School in March 2005. During the fall semester LISSA solicited volunteers to collect books and help organize this event. Spearheading the initiative were LISSA representative Gil Rosen and MSLMA (Massachusetts School Library Media Association)/GSLIS students Linda Carroll and Eva Radding.
Robert Martin, director of IMLS, spoke to the GSLIS community about Diversity initiatives in IMLS and in the LIS field on September 30, 2004.

Diversity Survey

During the Spring 2006 semester, the GSLIS Diversity Advisory Committee invited students to participate in an online survey about diversity at GSLIS. A total of 210 students completed the questionnaire between March 27 and April 21. The response rate was 31%. This was the second year that GSLIS students were surveyed about diversity.

The questionnaire asked students to rate their agreement with various statements related to diversity (using a 5-point scale). Topics included: the importance of having a diverse faculty/staff/student body, GSLIS' commitment to increasing diversity, students' comfort with people of different backgrounds, the importance of including diversity in the curriculum, and how often students discuss diversity issues both inside and outside the classroom.

You can view the 2006 survey results using the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/Report.asp?U=183632437722

To view last year's survey results, use this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/Report.asp?U=95280857831

If you have any questions about the survey or any concerns related to diversity, please contact:
Dr. Em Claire Knowles, Assistant Dean for Student Administrative Services
Convener of the GSLIS Diversity Advisory Committee
emclaire.knowles@simmons.edu
617-521-2798.

Diversity

Diversity Survey

see also