ARL Recruits for Diversity Partnership Program

In 1994, ARL/OMS began a partnership program called Opportunities for
Success.  The goal was to promote the development of diversity
initiatives and to bring together libraries, library associations, and
library schools to pursue local and regional diversity initiatives
collaboratively.  ARL brings to the table the benefit of five years of
exploration of these issues.  The partners bring to the program their
opportunities, challenges, energies, and aspirations.  It is the hope
that these partnerships will provide models and successful strategies
for others to consider.

The program was established to respond to concerns expressed by
librarians that diversity issues are often difficult to pursue because
of the lack of local expertise.  Twenty-five partners are engaged in
the 1994-1995 program, and the results of their efforts will be shared
throughout 1996.  Kriza Jennings, ARL's Program Officer for Diversity
and Minority Recruitment, serves as the consultant for these
partnerships.

Partners commit to a two-year program and agree to bring Ms. Jennings
on-site at least once per year.  They receive a discounted fee for
their participation.  Partners agree to share the results of their
initiatives with ARL libraries and others by contributing to
presentations, articles, resource kits, or responding to inquiries
when referrals are made.

ARL is recruiting for new partnerships from the ARL membership to
operate in 1996-1997.  The range of issues that may be explored within
a partnership is broad, and each partner must only commit to one
specific challenge or opportunity, although other activities may be
explored and/or implemented.  Initiatives may be focused on one
department of the library, on the broader context of a library-wide
program, or on exploratory joint initiatives with other units in the
institution or the community.  To learn more about joining the
diversity partnerships program, contact Kriza Jennings
(kriza@cni.org).

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ARL 183
A Bimonthly Newsletter of Research Library Issues and Actions
Association of Research Libraries
December 1995