Organizational Planning for DEIA: A 100 Level Course
Scope
Embarking on an initiative to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) requires organizational willingness to consider how internal structures, practices, and hierarchies may inadvertently reinforce existing inequities. This training series offers registrants an opportunity to organize their thinking about the nature of these inequities when planning their DEIA initiatives. What needs to be considered? What efforts can help lower the barriers to inclusion? This series will look at DEIA initiatives in the context of the needs and concerns of a variety of stakeholder institutions and organizations (libraries, agencies, commercial companies, societies/associations, etc.)
- Representatives from small to mid-sized organizations who may be tasked with organizing and facilitating DEIA initiatives
- Mid-level managers seeking to improve internal operations while paying attention to the needs of all staff
- Those seeking to raise awareness within their organization regarding existing inequities in the workplace
A folder of preliminary resources is available to participants here.
Course Moderator
Dr. Antonia “Toni” Olivas (she/her/hers) is the Engagement and Inclusion Librarian at California State University San Marcos (the traditional territory and homelands of the Luiseño/Payómkawichum people). She earned her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Arizona (2002) and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of California, San Diego (2014). Toni has experience in both public and academic libraries and has been a librarian for nearly 20 years. She is also a veteran instructor who has over 20 years of experience in the classroom, but she thrives on being a life-long learner. Toni’s research interests and accomplishments are rooted in social justice (diversity, equity, inclusion, and access); including her 2017 book Choosing to Lead: The Motivational Factors of Underrepresented Minority Librarians in Higher Education and her most recent article publications on validation theory and critical race theory in libraries (with fellow social justice librarians Torie Quiñonez and Lalitha Nataraj). In addition to her full-time career as an academic librarian, Toni also teaches DEIA and management courses at various ALA accredited library schools, and she consults academic libraries across the country on DEIA topics and projects.
Guest Lecturers
Confirmed guest lecturers include:
- Dr. Kawanna Bright, Assistant Professor of Library Science, East Carolina University
- Nikhat J. Ghouse, Associate Librarian for the Social Sciences to the College of Arts & Sciences & Coordinator of the Diversity Alliance Residency Program, American University
- Twanna Hodge, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Librarian, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
- Lauren Magnuson, Head of Collections, Delivery and Access, California State University - San Marcos
- Alanna Aiko Moore, Subject Specialist, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, and Gender Studies, University of California - San Diego
- Mark A. Puente, Associate Dean for Organizational Development, Inclusion and Diversity, Purdue University Libraries
Course Duration and Dates
Friday, September 17, 2021 - Friday, November 5, 2021. The series consists of eight (8) segments, one per week and each lasting approximately 60-90 minutes. Each segment is intended to cover a Friday lunch period (11:30am - 1:00pm, US. Eastern).
Guest lecturers will be featured in specific segments, as the course moderator deems appropriate.
Each session will be recorded and links to that archived recording will be disseminated to course registrants within 2 business days of the close of the specific session.
Event Sessions
Session 1, September 17 - Aspirations and Assessment
Speaker
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) are spoken of as essential elements for organizational success. But, organizations must move beyond simply talking about these issues in order to help foster more equitable and inclusive environments for their stakeholders. This session will focus on the range of issues and drivers for prioritizing this work for organizations as well as address who bears responsibility for moving these efforts forward in a visible yet genuine manner. Using examples from libraries and other organizations and professional communities, registrants will be provided tools to help initiate and prioritize DEIA efforts in their organizations and will have the opportunity to brainstorm and discuss their desired outcomes.
Helpful Resources, Presentations, Literature, and More!
Shared by featured speaker Mark A. Puente:
Shared by guest lecturer Twanna Hodge:
Choosing to Lead: The Motivational Factors of Underrepresented Minority Librarians in Higher Education - by Dr. Antonia Olivas
The Urgency of Intersectionality - TED Talk by Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw
The Miseducation of White Children - by Elie Mystal
What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? - by Stephen Sawchuk
Knowledge Justice: Disrupting Library and Information Studies through Critical Race Theory - by Sofia Y. Leung and Jorge R. López-McKnight
Series on Critical Race Studies and Multiculturalism in LIS - by Rose L. Chou and Annie Pho
Statement Against White Appropriation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color’s Labor - Authored by Alexandria Brown, James Cheng, Isabel Espinal, Brittany Paloma Fiedler, Joyce Gabiola, Sofia Leung. Nisha Mody, Alanna Aiko Moore, Teresa Y. Neely, Peace Ossom-Williamson
“We Are All for Diversity, but . . .”: How Faculty Hiring Committees Reproduce Whiteness and Practical Suggestions for How They Can Change - by Özlem Sensoy and Robin DiAngelo
Challenging the ‘Good Fit’ Narrative: Creating Inclusive Recruitment Practices in Academic Libraries - by Sojourna J. Cunningham, Samantha Guss, and Jennifer Stout
WHITE SUPREMACY CULTURE CHARACTERISTICS
Statements From Libraries and Library Organizations Re: Racism, Black Lives Matter, and Increased Violence - Filed by Gary Price on Infodocket
Advancing Strategy through Staffing: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Library Leadership Roles - by Kara Bledsoe and Jennifer K. Frederick
One is the Loneliest Number: DEI Perspective - October 14th, 2021 Webinar
ALA Spectrum Scholarship Program
Why Did I Leave the Profession? A DEI Perspective - Co Moderated by Twanna Hodge
Archive of Webinars & Materials: Association of Southeastern Resdearch Libaries (ASERL)
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) SCORECARD FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION
ORGANIZATIONS
Starting with I: Combating Anti-Blackness in Libraries - Authored by Peace Ossom-Williamson, Jamia Williams, Xan Goodman, Christian I.J. Minter, and Ayaba Logan
C4DISC Antiracism Toolkit for Organizations
Why People of Color Need Spaces Without White People - by Kelsey Blackwell
LAUC-B Conference: October 5-6, 2021: Reimagining Libraries Through Critical Library Practices
#Critical Conversations in LIS 2021
Creating Diversity in Libraries: Management Perspectives
Reaching Out to Minority Librarians: Overcoming Diversity Challenges through Mentorship - by Ava Iuliano, Melody Royster, Margeaux Johnson, Anne Larrivee, and Lori Driver
Paying Attention to White Culture and Privilege: A Missing Link to Advancing Racial Equity - by Gita Gulati-Partee and Maggie Potapchuk
Shared by guest lecturer Alanna Aiko Moore:
Neutrality is Hostility: The Impact of (False) Neutrality in Academic Librarianship - by
Jennifer A. Ferretti
Neutrality is Polite Oppression: How critical librarianship and pedagogy principles counter neutral narratives and benefit the profession - by Jennifer A. Ferretti
Other resources shared by attendees/panelists:
Diversity Writings - by Scott E. Paige
Readings on Race: Educating Ourselves, Our Communities - Collection of Readings in NISO Information Organized (I/O)
Session 2, September 24 - Navigating Initial Sensitivities and Hesitations
Speaker
Many organizations want to make changes that start or further embed DEIA into their organizational cultures, services, programming, etc. However, they do not always recognize or understand the barriers (visible, invisible, historical, and present) that exist. How can organizations identify these barriers, work on dismantling them, and create brave spaces for people to engage in this work? This session will help registrants identify their organization’s hesitations, insecurities, and concerns toward enabling them to begin to achieve their diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility goals. It will help them navigate potential hostile, apathetic perceptions and endeavor to prevent organizational standstill keeping DEIA initiatives at bay.
Helpful Resources and Presentations!
Shared by featured speaker Twanna Hodge:
C4DISC Antiracism Toolkit for Organizations
2018 Quiet Revolution. Inclusive Meetings Checklist
Equity in the Center: Awake to Woke to Work - Building a Race Equity Culture
The Black Librarian in America: Reflections, Resistance, and Reawakening - Edited by Shauntee Burns-Simpson; Nichelle M. Hayes; Ana Ndumu and Shaundra Walker - Foreword by Carla D. Hayden
EDI & Social Justice Opportunities
Shared by guest lecturer Alanna Aiko Moore:
Five Reasons Why People Code-Switch
How Code-Switching Explains The World
Session 3, October 1 - Language Justice and the Power of Words
Speaker
The words we use to communicate have intrinsic power and are a tool to navigate and engage with our world. Language and our vocabulary are rooted in histories of colonization and discrimination and often support oppressive systems. This session will discuss how vocabulary has a direct and indirect impact on marginalized communities and will strategize on how organizations can use liberatory language and words as a tool to advocate for others. Registrants will learn how to promote cross-cultural awareness, exchange, and understanding through the power of language and vocabulary and how to use that vocabulary to empower their patrons, customers, and employees.
Helpful Resources, Presentations, Literature, and More!
Shared by featured speaker Alanna Aiko Moore:
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman (MMIW USA)
Fumbling Towards Repair: A Workbook for Community Accountability Facilitators by Mariame Kaba and Shira Hassan
Shared by guest lecturer Twanna Hodge:
In The Library With The Lead Pipe: Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Fobazi Ettarh and Locating the Library in Institutional Oppression by nina de jesus
Harvard Business Review: The Costs of Code-Switching
Code-switching: Survival For Black People
Dr. Porchia Moore: Leading Museums and Libraries into 21st Century Inclusive Praxis
Advancing Strategy through Staffing: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Library Leadership Roles - by Kara Bledsoe and Jennifer K. Frederick
Don't ask where I'm from, ask where I'm a local TED Talk by Taiye Selasi
Dartmouth Library: Change the Subject Documentary
Metropolitan New York Library Council: Critical Cataloging: Revealing and Dismantling Hegemonic Systems - October 21, 2020 Webinar
Other resources shared by attendees/panelists:
Alternatives to ‘AFAB’ and ‘AMAB’
Click here for additional resources provided by our guest lecturer
Session 4, October 8 - Identifying Organizational Areas of Inequity
Speaker
Organizations have the power to help address and reduce inequities experienced by their personnel and stakeholders, especially those of whom come from marginalized communities. An organization’s inequities can arise from structures and hierarchies put in place that are harmful to people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, or people with varying abilities. This session will help participants identify unfair treatment, policies, and structures relative to stakeholders within their organizations. Participants will investigate unconscious bias in things such as pay discrepancies, decision-making processes, and career development opportunities. Organizations that identify the underlying issues of inequity are taking an important first step in resolving organizational inequities. This session will help participants take the steps after that needed to address inequities head-on.
Helpful Resources, Presentations, Literature, and More!
Shared by featured speaker Lauren Magnuson:
California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center (CICSC)
Shared by guest lecturer Alanna Aiko Moore:
Schedule for ARL Fall Forum 2021
Other resources shared by attendees/panelists:
The Differences Between Allies, Accomplices & Co-Conspirators May Surprise You
Pacific Library Partnership: The Future of Libraries 2021
On Being Excluded: Testimonies by People of Color in Scholarly Publishing
On Being Excluded: Testimonies by People of Color in Scholarly Publishing, Part II
Session 5, October 15 - Gathering the Data
Speaker
An organization’s willingness to meet DEIA needs can sometimes be reactive rather than proactive. But how does an organization know what stakeholder needs they must meet to help achieve their DEIA goals? This session introduces registrants to the use of data gathering for the determination of inequities. Knowing what data to collect and how to collect it is vital to an organization’s DEIA commitment. This session will also share information about data access, retention, security, and use for long-term assessment.
Helpful Resources, Presentations, Literature, and More!
Journal of Urban Affairs: Diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in arts and cultural planning by Amanda J. Ashley, Carolyn G. Loh, Karen Bubb, & Leslie Durham
Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability: Designing urban parks for inclusion, equity, and diversity by Vikas Mehta and Binita Mahato
Session 6, October 22 - Analysis or What The Data Demands
Speaker
Once the data has been collected, how will organizations decode that information and use it to make true institutional changes? This session will offer suggestions for data analysis based on the various types of DEIA data collected by an organization. Additionally, this session will examine issues that may arise in the data analysis process, such as unconscious bias, and how these issues can potentially affect analysis and interpretation of the data.
Helpful Resources, Presentations, Literature, and More!
dedoose - A cross-platform app for analyzing qualitative and mixed methods research with text, photos, audio, videos, spreadsheet data and more
Shared by course moderator Dr. Tonia Olivas
IMLS Grants: SUNY Buffalo (Department of Library and Information Studies, SUNY Buffalo) - The University at Buffalo and East Carolina University will investigate the retention of librarians who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)
NVivo - A place to organize, store and analyze your data
Shared by guest lecturer Twanna Hodge:
Jamboard - Spark students to learn, collaborate, and engage in active new ways with the Jamboard mobile app or 55-inch cloud-powered whiteboard
ALA Diversity Research Grant Program - established in 2002, it is sponsored and administered by the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)
LARKS (Librarian and Researcher Knowledge Space) - The American Library Association's resource for researchers of all levels of experience in school, academic, and public libraries
Session 7, October 29 - Organizational Readiness and Commitment
Speaker
In this session, registrants will discuss organizational readiness and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within the context of libraries. This session will take a deeper look into organizational readiness related to an organization's commitment to DEIA efforts. Attendees will learn to identify how to support DEIA efforts at their organization, including the steps to take to begin a significant change process that is inclusive and engaging of all levels of your system.
Helpful Resources, Presentations, Literature, and More!
Shared by guest lecturer Twanna Hodge:
Caste (Oprah's Book Club): The Origins of Our Discontents
Resources Shared During the 2021 Fall Forum
Institutional Betrayal and Institutional Courage
Microaggressions in Everyday Life 2nd Edition By Derald Wing Sue
Microagressions in Librarianship
Topographies of Whiteness: Mapping Whiteness in Library and Information Science
Disrupting Whiteness in Libraries and Librarianship: A Reading List
Shared by featured speaker Nikhat Ghouse
Scharmer, C. O. Generative listening
Other resources shared by attendees/panelists:
Why Are So Many Knowledge Workers Quitting? By Cal Newport
Who Is Driving the Great Resignation? By Ian Cook
List of Statements on Bias in Library and Archives Description
Ethnic Minority Scholars, Research, and Mentoring: Current and Future Issues
Session 8, November 5 - Integrating DEIA into your Change Management Efforts
Speaker
Change management or a planned process of change is a systemic approach that can engage any area for improvement. In this session, attendees will engage in the conscious, deliberate process of improving our approach with diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to create truly inclusive organizations in words and practice.
Helpful Resources, Presentations, Literature, and More!
Shared by guest lecturer Twanna Hodge:
Advancing Strategy through Staffing: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Library Leadership Roles by Kara Bledsoe and Jennifer K. Frederick
Other resources shared by attendees/panelists:
Conscious Actions for Inclusion: A Common Language to Drive Uncommon Results by Judith H. Katz and Frederick A. Miller
Additional Information
If you have not received your Login Instruction e-mail by 12 Noon (U.S., Eastern) on the day before a scheduled Friday segment of the series, please contact the NISO office at nisohq@niso.org for immediate assistance.
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Registration is per site (access for one computer) and includes access to the online recorded archive of the conference. You may have as many people as you like from the registrant's organization view the conference from that one connection. If you need additional connections, you will need to enter a separate registration for each connection needed.
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If you are registering someone else from your organization, either use that person's e-mail address when registering or contact nisohq@niso.org to provide alternate contact information.
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Conference presentation slides and Q&A will be posted to this event webpage following the live conference.
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Registrants will receive an e-mail message containing access information to the archived conference recording within 48 hours after the event. This recording access is only to be used by the registrant's organization.
For Online Events
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You will need a computer for the presentation and Q&A.
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Audio is available through the computer (broadcast) and by telephone. We recommend you have a set-up for telephone audio as back-up even if you plan to use the broadcast audio as the voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) isn't always 100% reliable.
Please check your system in advance to make sure it meets Zoom (US) requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your system is properly set up before each webinar begins.
Event Dates
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Location
This is an 8-week series, with each weekly segment having a duration of 60-90 minutes. It is a virtual event. NISO uses the Zoom platform to deliver our virtual events. Please check your system in advance to make sure it meets Zoom (US) requirements.