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Science and Technology Section (STS): Equity Diversity and Inclusion: Progress on EDI initiatives

The STS Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Task Force will the study the ways in which STS can support the work of equity, diversity, and inclusion within ACRL, academic libraries, and across the library profession.

Progress of EDI initiatives: Administrative

Timeline Goal Initiative Expanded description of initiative Report and Product(s) Lead E-mail address Status
Immediate Have STS respond when something happens in library world (e.g., at an ALA Conference) that is not in alignment with our vision for EDI     Bonnie Fong librarianbonniefong@gmail.com Near completion
Immediate Share STS’ EDI needs with ACRL and the ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach          
Short-term (2/28/2021) Update STS' strategic plan and goals to include equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)     David Romito, Penelope Wood    
Short-term (2/28/2021) Include EDI as a criterion to consider when it comes to STS sponsorships (such as the ACRL Conference scholarship and ALA Emerging Leader Program)     Bonnie Fong librarianbonniefong@gmail.com In progress
Short-term (2/28/2021) Have an STS presence in EDI conversations at ACRL and ALA   Have STS representative on ALA's EDI Assembly     In progress

Progress of EDI initiatives: Recruitment

Timeline Goal Initiative Expanded description of initiative Report and Product(s) Lead E-mail address Status
Immediate Reconsider the recruitment, appointment, and nomination process for STS leadership roles so that we have a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive Section     Roxanne Bogucka, Lori Bronars roxanne.bogucka@austin.utexas.edu in progress
Short-term (2/28/2021) Hold an annual ‘About STS’ Webinar to let members know more about STS – what the organization does, how it’s structured, who is on the Executive Committee, how members can become leaders (and just what those responsibilities entail) Work with STS Membership & Recruitment Committee to organize the Webinar Scheduled for 1/21/2021 @ 2pm-3pm ET Bonnie Fong librarianbonniefong@gmail.com Near completion
Short-Long-term (2021-2025) Intentionally build bridges with other groups (e.g., ethnic caucuses) to encourage science librarians there to join STS     Nastasha Johnson    

Progress of EDI initiatives: Partnerships

Timeline Goal Initiative Expanded description of initiative Report and Product(s) Lead E-mail address Status
Immediate Do outreach to (potential) science librarians in diversity residencies – for example, send an invitation to an annual ‘About STS’ Webinar     Roxanne Bogucka, Lori Bronars roxanne.bogucka@austin.utexas.edu in progress
Short-term (2/28/2021) Promote STS events to ethnic caucuses; the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table; other ACRL sections; and other groups to try and increase the diversity of attendants     Chapel Cowden, Stacy Johnson    
Short-term (2/28/2021) Partner with ethnic caucuses; the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table; other ACRL sections; and/or science librarian bootcamps to co-host programs     Meghan Lafferty    
Short-term (2/28/2021) Identify the relevant existing programs in library world that support equity, diversity, and/or inclusion (e.g., ALA Spectrum Scholars, ARL Kaleidoscope program) and encourage program participants to get involved in STS – for example, invite them to an annual ‘About STS’ Webinar and/or Council meeting     Amanda McCormick afm33@buffalo.edu in progress 
Short-Long-term (2021-2025) Support diverse library school students (or even undergraduate science majors) interested in science librarianship by developing a mentoring program for them and/or providing scholarships          

Progress of EDI initiatives: Education

Timeline Goal Initiative Expanded description of initiative Report and Product(s) Lead E-mail address Status
Immediate Regularly post to the STS-L listserv a summarization of current EDI research (or ideas to improve) to help librarians keep this on the front of their minds and to stay on top of what’s happening     Amanda McCormick, Sam Putnam afm33@buffalo.edu, srputnam@ufl.edu in progress 
Short-term (2/28/2021) Hold a workshop/Webinar about how to recruit, hire, and retain diverse candidates     Laura Palumbo, Chapel Cowden laura.palumbo@rutgers.edu Identified speakers

Progress of EDI initiatives: Programming

Timeline Goal Initiative Expanded description of initiative Report and Product(s) Lead E-mail address Status
Immediate Include EDI as a criteria to consider when it comes to STS programming, from identifying topics, selecting speakers, choosing paper and poster presentations, etc.     Roxanne Bogucka, Sam Putnam roxanne.bogucka@austin.utexas.edu in progress
Short-term (2/28/2021) Share slides, handouts, and/or notes from conferences for those who are unable to attend     Meghan Lafferty    
Long term (2023-2025) Consider programming about science mis-steps (e.g., showing racism – Tuskegee syphilis study)