Office for Diversity
American Library Association
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
1-800-545-2433 ext. 5295
Fax: 312-280-3256
Email: diversity@ala.org
Follow us at http://twitter.com/ala_diversity
Mission
The Office for Diversity serves as a clearinghouse for diversity resources and a focal point for administering and fostering diversity as a value and key action area of the Association. The Office serves the membership though its initiatives and programs, resource development, active consultations and training on diversity issues that impact the profession, the workplace, and information service delivery. Topics include such issues as recruitment and retention; personal and professional leadership; organizational change; team and capacity building; service strategies for diverse user populations; and effective interpersonal communications.Initiatives & Projects
We currently administer the following major initiatives in support of our mission:
Member Groups & Meeting Schedules
The Council Committee on Diversity(COD) provides a forum to research, monitor, discuss, and address national diversity issues and trends impacting the library profession. Additionally, the Committee on Diversity provides ALA Council and ALA membership with information needed for the establishment of ALA policies, actions and initiatives related to national diversity issues and trends. Visit individual Committee and Subcommittee pages for more information and meeting schedules.
- Committee on Diversity (COD)
- Diversity Council, a COD subcommittee
- Diversity Research Grant Advisory Committee, a COD subcommittee, oversees the Diversity Research Grant Jury (about the Diversity Research Grants).
- Spectrum Advisory Committee, a COD subcommittee, oversees the Spectrum Scholar Interest Group and the Spectrum Jury (about the Spectrum Scholarship Program).
The Office for Diversity also serves as the liaison to the five ALA-Affiliated Associations of Ethnic Librarians.
Events
-
Many Voices - annual event since 2005
-
Diversity Leadership Institutes - held in 2006 and 2008
-
National Dialogue on the Curriculum of Readiness - held in 2005
- Please visit the ALA Presentations Archive to retrieve materials from past ALA Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings.
- Help us support the next Joint Conference of Librarians of Color
Popular Resources
The Office for Diversity is pleased to provide an ever-growing collection of resources to assist you in building diversity. If you have materials and resources to share, please email your suggestions to diversity@ala.org. Our major resource development areas are:
Staff
Miguel A. Figueroa
Director
312-280-5295
mfigueroa@ala.org
Provides administrative oversight of the Office for Diversity; manages budget and policy development; provides information to ALA and association members on professional issues related to diversity; liaises with diversity committees; develops and delivers innovative products and services in support of diversity.
Gwendolyn Prellwitz
Assistant Director Spectrum and Related Grants
312-280-5048
gprellwitz@ala.org
Manages the Spectrum Scholarship program and related grants; supports the creation of new projects advancing the recruitment of a diverse library workforce; manages Spectrum communications and marketing; develops Spectrum web site and data reporting.
Rubina Isaac
Administrative Assistant
312-280-5020
risaac@ala.org
Supports all Office for Diversity and Spectrum program and events; generates reports and maintains records.
Diversity News
JCLC 2012 Save the Date!
