ACRL Diversity Alliance: Home

Purpose

The ACRL Diversity Alliance program unites academic libraries committed to increasing the hiring pipeline of qualified and talented individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. By working together and thinking more broadly, ACRL Diversity Alliance institutions will help diversify and thereby enrich the profession.

The commitment of each library leader to create one or more residency positions will expand the opportunities available to individuals from professionally underrepresented groups to gain the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to thrive in an academic context. Library leaders participating in the ACRL Diversity Alliance are committed to opening doors, sharing their networks, and preparing residents for success in scholarship, professional service, and leadership. Residents and library leaders will each have access to a network so that they can share ideas, resources, and best practices.

ACRL Diversity Alliance Principles

Libraries wishing to participate in the Diversity Alliance program to increase the pipeline of professionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups make the following commitments:

1. Establish a residency program for at least one individual that lasts a minimum of two years (three years preferred).
2. Commit to designing experiences at the local level to expand the residents’ interests and skills, e.g., mentorships, rotation through other library units, etc.
3. Agree to serve as a resource, i.e., advisors and guides, to those institutions participating in the ACRL Diversity Alliance.
4. Provide at a minimum the same level of professional development support provided other library faculty/staff/employees.
5. Provide a salary for the resident commensurate with the salaries of equivalent entry-level library professionals.

Commitments to the ACRL Diversity Alliance are renewed annually to ensure these principles continue to be a priority.

Founding Members

The Founding Members of the Diversity Alliance are American University, University of Iowa, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia University.

Charge

Oversees the Diversity Alliance, serves as champions of the program, builds relationships and investigate partnerships with appropriate ACRL and ALA groups, and proposes future directions, including governance, to the ACRL Board of Directors.

Roster

Dr. Jon E. Cawthorne (Chair, July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020)
Tarida Anantachai (Member, July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020)
John P. Culshaw (Member, July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020)
Nancy A. Davenport (Member, July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020)
Ms. Karen R. Diaz (Member, July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020)
Kenya S. Flash (Member, July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021)
Malaika Grant (Member, July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020)
Mr. Tyler Walters (Member, July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020)
April D. Cunningham (Board Liaison, July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2020)
Mary Ellen K. Davis (Staff Liaison, July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2020)
Allison Payne (Staff Liaison, January 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020)