The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce is now the Kaleidoscope Program.
The name Kaleidoscope signifies responsiveness to fluid landscapes, needs, and cultures, which is an important element of diversity, equity, and inclusion in research libraries and in society more broadly. Much like a kaleidoscope changes as it is moved, reflecting diverse colors, shapes, and perspectives, the Kaleidoscope Program ensures the evolution of the library and archives profession to reflect and embrace the diverse reality of the communities we serve.
Founded in 2000 as ARL’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion recruitment program, the initiative has demonstrated its long-term impact by bringing more than 250 underrepresented students into the library and archives profession. This program has also helped the library and archives community develop a broader understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as the barriers to diversifying the profession.
Learn more about the Kaleidoscope Program at https://www.arl.org/kaleidoscope
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 124 research libraries in Canada and the US whose mission is to advance research, learning, and scholarly communication. The Association fosters the open exchange of ideas and expertise, promotes equity and diversity, and pursues advocacy and public policy efforts that reflect the values of the library, scholarly, and higher education communities. ARL forges partnerships and catalyzes the collective efforts of research libraries to enable knowledge creation and to achieve enduring and barrier-free access to information. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
