ARL Libraries Assume Leadership in Diversity

In implementing the ARL programs for diversity and minority
recruitment, ARL's primary goal is to assume a leadership role in
advancing diversity locally, regionally and nationally.  This past
year has seen this goal expanded and developed into one of the
strongest components of the programs.

The ARL/OMS programs focus not only on libraries' responses and
initiatives, but also examine ways in which higher education has
addressed diversity at the university-wide and departmental levels.
This focus on colleges and universities has provided the Program
Officer for Diversity and Minority Recruitment, Kriza Jennings, with
the opportunity to interview administrators, faculty and students, and
to assess and evaluate strategies that have been successful and those
that have not met expectations.  Ms. Jennings has now conducted site
visits at over one hundred institutions.  

In the past year, there has been an increased interest by university
administrators in ARL's approach and findings on effective strategies
for introducing and responding to diversity in the campus community.
ARL libraries have found that presentations and seminars for library
staff are also of interest to the broader university community.
Several ARL libraries have extended invitations to others on their
campus and found an enthusiastic response.  As a result, the library
is able to provide a resource for others who are seeking ways to
assess or implement diversity strategies.

Some ARL libraries also use the on-site visit from the ARL Program
Officer as an opportunity to share information with the local library
community and library schools in the area.  Site visits have also been
coordinated with state library conferences, enabling an even larger
number of librarians to learn of ARL's efforts and findings.

What began in 1992 as half-day or one-day visits now has expanded into
two- and three-day campus visits.  Shared funding for the units helps
defray the library's contribution to the expenses and fees.  If you
are interested in arranging a site visit, contact Kriza Jennings
(kriza@cni.org) for more information.


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ARL 182
A Bimonthly Newsletter of Research Library Issues and Actions
Association of Research Libraries
October 1995