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

Intersections

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion eLearning

21
May

eLearning

The presentation will focus on the lived experience of a librarian who recently moved into a large middle management role at a sizable R1 institution, while adjusting to a new discovery of their neurodiversity.

28
May

eLearning

Webinar

Don’t wait! Celebrate the PLA 2026 Conference early with a conversation between four amazing authors.

28
May

eLearning

The Core Competencies for Cataloging & Metadata Professional Librarians provides an important framework to assess professional-level cataloging and metadata skills, knowledge, and behavior.

29
May

eLearning

Webinar

Library consultant Toby Greenwalt demonstrates the capabilities of Super Searchers and Meet LEO and showcases potential applications in the library workspace.

02
Jun
27
Jun

eLearning

This 4 week course Fundamentals of Management is designed for new managers to build the skill set they need to successfully lead their department or organization, as well as support existing managers looking to

02
Jun

eLearning

Webinar

Learn about pathways to leadership in PLA and the public library profession.

04
Jun

eLearning

This 90 minute webinar will cover the similarities and the differences in Canada and the US's approach to copyright.

04
Jun

eLearning

Webinar

Learn how a library created a classification system that people bought into, was collaborative, and was scalable.

04
Jun

eLearning

Discovery products providing a single search interface to library collections have become industry standard in large academic libraries since their emergence in the late 2000's. This presentation begins to fill

09
Jun
18
Jul

eLearning

Learn about and apply backward design, a model for effectively determining what you want to accomplish in workshops, library instruction and training sessions.

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