Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

ODLOS logo on colorful bokeh background

Mission

The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services supports library and information science workers in creating responsible and all-inclusive spaces that serve and represent the entire community. To accomplish this, we decenter power and privilege by facilitating conversations around access and identity as they impact the profession and those we serve. We use a social justice framework to inform library and information science workers' development of resources. We strive to create an association culture where these concerns are incorporated into everybody's everyday work.

Featured

ODLOS supports library and information science workers creating responsible and all-inclusive spaces that serve & represent the entire community.

Initiatives & partnerships promoting equity, diversity & inclusion in libraries and the library profession.

Find & connect with library experts in the areas of equity, diversity & inclusion.

Strategic planning, workshops, webinars, and other presentations for library audiences.

Through the Spectrum Scholarship Program, ALA affirms its commitment to diversity and inclusion by seeking the broadest participation of new ...

ODLOS works closely with 8 groups to serve marginalized voices and communities.

Initiatives

Resources, grants, and initiatives supporting literacy across the lifespan.

Read the latest EDI news every month.

Initiatives and programs geared to promote access to library services to all.

Engaging Multilingual Communities Guide

cover of booklet

Did you know that in the United States over 67 million people speak a different language rather than English at home? This guide is designed to support library personnel who serve multilingual patrons through events, collections, and enrichment opportunities.

Inside, you'll find examples of programs, services, and more for your community.

Download PDF

News

Practical approaches to inclusive cataloging

CHICAGO — As part of the profession's ongoing EDISJ efforts to redress librarianship’s problematic past, practitioners from across the field are questioning long-held library authorities...

Intersections

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion eLearning

15
Aug
eLearning
Webinar

Learn how to provide access to a menu of streaming app optons so patrons are able to stream movies and television

21
Aug
eLearning
Webinar

Learn to integrate joyful yoga and mindfulness into the programs you already do, or start to create a complete yoga and

28
Aug
eLearning

An experienced security consultant will share the four fundamental principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental

03
Sep
eLearning

In this webinar, participants will learn about a collaborative partnership between an academic library and offices

04
Sep
eLearning
Webinar

Get essential information, examples, and practical tips to apply for once-in-a-generation opportunities to advance the

10
Sep
eLearning

September 2024 Learning Live: Learn how to “speak libraries” and customize applications for specific audiences and

16
Sep
11
Oct
eLearning

The Fundamentals of Management course is designed for new managers to build the skill set they need to successfully lead

17
Sep
eLearning

Join the presenters as they explore the technical and political processes of overhauling their streamlining our

23
Sep
01
Nov
eLearning

This 6-week online course introduces the fundamental aspects of universal design for learning (UDL). It is designed for

23
Sep
01
Nov
eLearning

This six-week online course introduces students to the breadth of considerations, standards and skills needed to

23
Sep
01
Nov
eLearning

This six-week course is an introduction to fundamental concepts of metadata.

24
Sep
eLearning

Twenty years ago, Michael D. Watkins published a best-selling book on leadership transitions, "The First 90 Days." This

30
Sep
08
Nov
eLearning

This six-week online course is a basic primer for library acquisitions concepts common to all library material formats.

07
Oct
04
Nov
eLearning

Connecting Information Literacy Efforts to Student Retention is a four-week asynchronous course discussing the

08
Oct
eLearning

October 2024 Learning Live: A strong director-board relationship is essential to the success of the library.

14
Oct
25
Nov
eLearning

Reference Interview is a comprehensive six-week asynchronous course focusing on the methods of evaluating reference

21
Oct
11
Nov
eLearning

BizRef 101 is for any librarian in-training who wants to gain confidence and knowledge around BizRef topics such as

Contact Us

225 N Michigan Ave
Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60601
1-800-545-2433 ext. 4294
Fax: 312-280-3256
Email: diversity@ala.org

Kevin Strowder
Director
kstrowder@ala.org
800-545-2433 ext. 5295

Hillary Pearson
Program Manager, Accessibility Services
hpearson@ala.org
312-724-9251 ext. 5020