Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are fundamental values of the association and its members, and diversity is listed as one of ALA's Key Action Areas. The Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services uses a social justice framework to ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives within our profession and association to best position ALA as a trusted, leading advocate for equitable access to library services for all.

Key Resources

• ALA Policy Manual - Diversity
• Continuing Education
• Diversity in the Workplace
• Diversity Research and Statistics
• Glossary of Terms
• Programming to Promote Diversity
• Outreach to Underserved Populations
• Workforce Development

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion across ALA: Standards and Competencies 

• ALA Strategic Plan (2017 Update)
• ACRL: Diversity Standards: Cultural Competency for Academic Libraries (2012)
• ALSC: Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries
• EDI Strategic Direction Implementation Plan 
• PLA: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Initiatives 
• Strategic Directions: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• YALSA: Core Professional Values for the Teen Services Profession (see also Cultural Competence on the YALSA wiki) 

Major Initiatives 

• ALA Diversity Research Grant
• EDICon: Foundations of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Member-Leader Orientations 
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the American Library Association [Slides]
• Presidential Initiative - EDI in Our Libraries 
• Spectrum Scholarship Program

Partnerships

• Cross-Cultural Communicators in Libraries
• Project Welcome: Libraries and Community Anchors Planning for Resettlement and Integration of Refugees and Asylum Seekers | Project Welcome Guides

Opportunities to Get Involved in the Work

• ALA Council Committee on Diversity
• ALA ODLOS Advisory Committee 
  • Diversity Research Grant Advisory Committee
  • Services to Refugees, Immigrants, and Displaced Persons subcommittee
  • Spectrum Advisory Committee
• ACRL Diversity Alliance
• ACRL Diversity Committee
• ACRL Dr. E. J. Josey Mentoring Program for Spectrum Scholars
• ACRL New Roles and Changing Landscapes Committee
• ACRL Instruction Section Diversity and Inclusion Task Force
• ACRL Instruction Section Inclusive Pedagogy Committee
• ACRL Rare Books & Manuscript Section Diversity Committee
• ACRL Science and Technology Section Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force
• ALSC Book Award Committees
• ALSC Diversity within ALSC Task Force
• ALSC Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Committee
• American Indian Library Association (ALA Affiliate)
• Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (ALA Affiliate)
• Association of Jewish Libraries (ALA Affiliate)
• Black Caucus of the American Library Association (ALA Affiliate)
• Bridging Deaf Cultures Interest Group
• Chinese American Librarians Association (ALA Affiliate)
• Consumer Health Information Librarians
• Core Diversity and Inclusion Committee 
• EDI Assembly
• Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Roundtable (EMIERT) Outreach Committee
• Joint Council of Librarians of Color (ALA Affiliate) 
• Library Services for Dementia/Alzheimer's Interest Group
• Library Services for the Incarcerated and Detained Interest Group
• Library Services to Persons with Print Disabilities Interest Group
• REFORMA: National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (ALA Affiliate)
• Social Responsibilities Round Table Hunger, Homelessness, and Poverty Task Force (HHPTF)
• Tribal Librarians Interest Group
• Universal Access Interest Group

ALA Policies, Guidelines, and History

• ALA and Affiliate Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statements
• ALA Policy Manual B.3 - Diversity
• ALA Policy Manual B.4 - Equity and Access
• Equity at Issue Library Services to the Nation's Four Major Minority Groups - Report to the President's Committee on Library Services to Minorities (1985-86 CD#30)

Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Final Report and Recommendations

• ALA Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Final Report

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Implementation Working Group Reports and Documentation

• 2016 Report on EDI Recommendations (Presented to ALA Executive Board, Midwinter 2017)
• 2017 Report on EDI Recommendations (Presented to ALA Executive Board, Midwinter 2018)
• 2018 Report on EDI Recommendations (Presented to ALA Executive Board, Midwinter 2019)
• Final Report to Executive Board (Presented to ALA Executive Board, Annual 2019)