Competency C
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Articulate the importance of designing programs and services supportive of diversity, inclusion, and equity for clientele and employees.
Introduction
Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is a vital cornerstone to librarianship. Even though it has been a process of growth, public libraries, since their inception, have strived to create environments that promote access to information and services that one could easily regard as in favor of outcomes that are equitable, diverse, and inclusive, especially for the time period in which they operated and despite the specific terms. In this context, Bright (2022) outlines three essential EDI competencies: intercultural communication competency, cultural competency, and cultural humility. These competencies are crucial for library professionals to effectively engage with diverse communities and ensure that library services meet the needs of all patrons and that library staff reflect the communities they work in. Diversity Libraries often approach diversity based on how individuals align or depart from demographic categories (Bright, 2022). However, diversity should be empirically and inductively discovered, in that it is acknowledged and recognized that diversity exists and is in abundance across all aspects of society and communities. While identities, demographic groups, social classes, and the intersectionality among broader social, cultural, and economic categories tend to share common experiences, embracing nuanced welcoming diversity requires being open to the full range of divergence among individuals. Libraries have an obligation to reflect this diversity in their operations and offerings. Their services, collections, and workforce should be as diverse as the communities they serve, ensuring that all voices are more adequately considered and represented in library practices and policies. By doing so, libraries not only enhance their relevance but also foster a sense of belonging and empowerment among all community members.
Equity
Equity in terms of library and information science largely encompasses the principles of equity of access to information and resources for all individuals, despite identity, demographic category, and/or background (Bright, 2022). Equity of access requires more passive policy writing that ensures fairness but needs to be an active pursuit to both provide and defend patrons' right to information, services, and materials. Public libraries have become a safe place for many marginalized communities to access information, resources, and services that may not be available elsewhere, thus playing a crucial role in leveling the playing field. Similarly, academic libraries have also become hubs on campus for students, faculty, and staff to collaborate, study, and engage with diverse materials, thereby reducing barriers to academic success.
Yet the scope of equity in libraries cannot be limited solely to the services for patrons. The profession also needs to embody equitable practices internally. Equity for librarians in the workplace means ensuring fair treatment, opportunities for advancement, and inclusive practices that foster a supportive environment; designing policies and programs that promote diversity and inclusion is essential. In order for this to be effective, the overlying organizational structures of libraries should also reflect a commitment to equity, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued within the library community. This means incorporating checks on administrative power and advocating for more flat than hierarchical organizational structures. Flat organizational structures rely on trust. Trust strengthens individual autonomy, especially in knowledge work (Mooradian, 2018), which in turn builds equity.
Inclusion
Inclusion depends on the facilitation and engagement in interaction with patrons, staff, leadership, and the broader community. Rather than merely holding space for a diverse range of the community in an equitable manner, inclusive libraries recognize each community member as a stakeholder, valuing their unique perspectives, abilities, and contributions. Inclusion is reliant, at least partially, on the internal experiences of the individuals who are participating, being served, and also supported, and therefore engagement is paramount.
Inclusion significantly helps libraries to reach their broader goals. The resilience of libraries relies substantially on their ability to foster and promote inclusion. The more included the community as a whole is within the operations and decision-making processes of a library, the more crystalized it is within the scope of library services and programs. Bright (2022) points out that inclusion is especially important in terms of building a workforce of information professionals that can best serve their communities while also aiding in the retention of talent.
Social Justice
The three frameworks that ground the work in the American Library Association (n.d.) or ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services—Diversity, Cultural Competency, and Social Justice—aim to foster an understanding of cultural differences, enhance effective interactions across diverse backgrounds, and address power dynamics and historical inequities among various groups. Cardenas-Dow (2022) distinguishes between the Diversity and Cultural Competency Frameworks, which encourage thoughtful interaction, and the Social Justice Framework, which aims to tackle power dynamics and societal injustices, encouraging change and resolving them.
By expanding social justice missions in LIS work, Library 2.0 seeks to include patrons in implementing participatory, collaborative, and social applications. The library's goal evolved from assisting patrons to assisting patrons to assist themselves, increasing the library's role as a social force bringing about positive changes in public perception and equalizing power dynamics (Mehra, et al.). This shift not only empowers patrons but also positions libraries as exemplary agents of social change, fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.
Competency Development
Working in a public library has given me firsthand experience in navigating many of the opportunities to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in both the technology programming that I instruct, as well as ensuring equal access to library materials and services. I have learned many techniques that work to decrease the friction that can emerge from the vast differences of individuals within the general public. I find that learning new ways to be inclusive in this way is one of the most meaningful and rewarding aspects of working in libraries. Throughout my MLIS coursework, I have acquired more awareness of how equity, diversity, and inclusion can be both considered and better implemented within the underlying framework of library services and existing information systems, as well as emerging technologies. Learning about data science and artificial intelligence through the lens of librarianship has prepared me for a critical approach to these new technologies that will help me to promote and design services with fair, equitable, and inclusive access to patrons.
Evidence
This communication case study highlights the critical challenges faced by the library in serving a diverse patron base amidst language and cultural barriers. The objective of the study is to address a fictional scenario where only two staff members are fluent in languages other than English and where the library struggles to meet the needs of its growing immigrant population, leading to potential cultural insensitivity and unaddressed biases among staff. This situation not only affects the library's ability to provide equitable services but also risks alienating a significant portion of the community it aims to serve. My emphasis in the piece focuses on the importance of reframing the perception of these challenges as opportunities for growth and community engagement. I advocate for data collection on area demographics to inform decision-making, language training for staff, as well as the creation of a dedicated position focused on cultural inclusion. I argue that by implementing bilingual signage, utilizing digital translation tools, and fostering partnerships with local organizations, the library can enhance its service delivery and ensure that all patrons feel welcomed and valued, ultimately reinforcing its relevance within the community.
In this discussion post I write about the importance of data literacy and the role of libraries in promoting it, particularly through the initiative "Data Equity for Main Street". The post highlights how libraries can help bridge the digital divide and empower individuals to navigate and understand government data, thereby facilitating civic engagement and participation in democracy. It emphasizes the need for libraries to continue advocating for open, accessible, and accurate data, and to provide resources and training to help patrons develop foundational data literacy skills, which are essential for a just and ethical society.
I selected the "Data Equity for Main Street" project as the main example of my point, because it provides a curriculum and resources for librarians to teach patrons about accessing and understanding government data, therefore demonstrating a commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering marginalized communities. With this approach I am acknowledging that data literacy is a critical skill for civic engagement and participation in democracy, and that libraries have a role to play in ensuring that all individuals have equal access to this skill, thereby promoting equity and inclusion. I also assert that libraries can help address issues of systemic inequality by providing resources and training that are accessible to all, which is a key principle of designing programs and services that support diversity, inclusion, and equity.
This discussion post reflects on the article "Lessons from Archives-Strategies for Collecting Sociocultural Data in Machine Learning (2022)," emphasizing the importance of ethical data practices in machine learning. I resonate with the article's call for adopting archival methods to enhance data curation and highlights the concerning lack of oversight in data collection, which can lead to biases in machine learning outputs. I ultimately agree with the article’s proposal for an "interventionist" approach that prioritizes transparency and accountability, drawing parallels to best practices in library and information science. I also acknowledge the persistence of bias within library science, particularly in controlled vocabularies, and advocate for implementing systems of intervention before data ingestion. By addressing the biases inherent in data collection and advocating for transparency and interventionist approaches, I underscore the necessity of creating systems that are inclusive and equitable in their representation of diverse sociocultural perspectives. Ultimately, the post illustrates how ethical considerations in data curation directly contribute to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity and equity.
Conlcusion
Unfortunately, as of writing this essay in the U.S. in early 2025, EDI efforts have become highly politicized and targeted by those who are either willfully ignorant or outright malicious toward the value that equitable, diverse, and inclusive efforts bring to society. Many staff, services, and whole departments dedicated to EDI have been cut or defunded from the federal government. Many libraries and information centers will likely experience this pressure as well. And while this presents a significant challenge to the existence of libraries as we know them, it is crucial to recognize that as information professionals, we find strength in our virtues and values amidst facing the precipice.
References
American Library Association. (n.d.). Office for diversity, literacy and outreach services: What we do. Retrieved February 16, 2025, from https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/diversity/what-we-do
Bright, Kawanna. (2022). Equity of access, diversity, and inclusion. In S. Hirsh (ed.), Information services today (3rd ed., pp. 66-79). Rowman & Littlefield.
Cardenas-Dow, Melissa I. (2022) Social justice. In S. Hirsh (ed.), Information services today (3rd ed., pp. 80-88). Rowman & Littlefield.
Mehra, Bharat,. Rioux, Kevin S., Albright, Kendra S., (2017). Social Justice in Library and Information Science. Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences (4th ed.). CRC Press. https://doi-org.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/10.1081/E-ELIS4-419
Mooradian, Norman A. (2018). Ethics for Records and Information Management. ALA Neal-Schuman.