Kennesaw State University Libraries along with Karen Doster-Greenleaf and Kristina Clement

The Kennesaw State University Libraries Recruitment and Retention Task Force along with Karen Doster-Greenleaf and Kristina Clement were chosen by the award jury to receive the 2025 American Library Association (ALA) Equality Award. The award of $1000 and a framed citation will be presented on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia PA.

Their work not only highlights the importance of equity in librarianship but also serves as a model for other institutions striving to create more inclusive environments.

“As an organization committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, we recognize the profound impact that Karen Doster-Greenleaf and Kristina Clement have had on our practices and culture,” said Ashley Depuy, Interim Associate University Librarian at KSU Libraries. “For these reasons, I wholeheartedly support the nomination of Karen Doster-Greenleaf and Kristina Clement for the ALA Equality Award. Their efforts have transformed not only how we hire but also how we welcome and retain talent in our organization. Their work is an exemplary demonstration of what it means to advance equity in the field of librarianship, and I can think of no more deserving recipients of this prestigious honor.”

The KSU Libraries Recruitment and Retention Task Force has shown a strong, ongoing commitment to making library hiring fairer and more transparent. By addressing biases and creating equitable hiring practices, they have helped build a more inclusive academic library workforce. Their efforts have not only improved KSU Libraries but also set a model that can inspire change nationwide. Stephanie Ard shared their experience, noting, “The chair of the hiring committee was also considerate of my personal needs, asking me about my accessibility and dietary requirements, advising me to bring snacks and water with me, and providing an office where I could secure my belongings and take breaks throughout the day." This thoughtful approach reflects the Task Force’s commitment to ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for all candidates.

While KSU’s initiative, which focuses on increasing diversity in hiring and fostering an inclusive workplace—are highly valuable, the KSU Task Force’s work directly tackles structural inequities in recruitment and retention. This makes them especially deserving of this recognition, as their efforts promote lasting change in the profession. Hannah Wang shared, “My involvement in the Recruitment and Retention Task Force allowed me to contribute to this vision by helping ensure new employees feel welcomed, informed, and prepared to succeed—and then I got to benefit from my contribution to the task force! Having clear guidelines that both managers and employees can follow makes onboarding simpler, more thorough, and more efficient. I am passionate about continuing to improve these processes to support new team members and foster a culture of collaboration and shared success.” This personal experience underscores the direct, positive impact the Task Force’s work has on both individuals and the larger organization.

The KSU Libraries Recruitment and Retention Task Force has created not only a better hiring and onboarding process but also an adaptable framework that other libraries can replicate. Their hiring guide—currently an internal LibGuide—ensures that these principles remain an enduring part of the institution’s hiring culture and establishes an applicable example for other libraries.