Built-in @ Booth: DEI as a library priority

Booth Library has been working as a cross-disciplinary partner to facilitate critical conversations and has been acting as an ally in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Booth has also prioritized its work with DEI by recently completing a strategic plan. One of the main goals of the strategic plan is to build in and sustain DEI initiatives as part of a holistic effort to ally Booth with campus and community partners in advancing this goal. The presenters will discuss how Booth has been positioned as a model and hub for promoting DEI on campus. Among the initiatives to be addressed are the strategic plan implementation, partnerships around exhibits and programming, implementation of diversity training in support of staff development, and efforts to bridge the technology equity gap. Additionally, presenters will discuss the work they are doing in supporting retention and student success efforts for our underrepresented student population. This session will be informative, outlining scenarios that help guide the Booth DEI committee in responding to social issues that affect our faculty, staff and students, and how we are able to respond. We will also lead an activity in the session to challenge attendees to “partner up” to brainstorm ways in which we can work across the proverbial aisle to build DEI into all parts of the campus community.