As equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging can be interpreted differently, we would like to share how the ACRL STS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee defines the following:
- Equity refers to providing opportunities for historically underrepresented populations to have equal access to professional growth opportunities and resource networks that are capable of closing the demographic disparities in leadership roles in all spheres of institutional functioning, at the section, division, institutional, and professional levels.
- Diversity refers to all the ways in which people are unique, including diversity of ideas, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
- Inclusion represents the interpersonal and institutional choices we make in our everyday interactions and activities, as well as in the shape of the culture, structures, collections, and systems we create and sustain.
- Belonging reflects an individual’s sense of being a valued and integral part of the organization; each member should feel they are important and have a vested interest in the organization as a whole.