ACRL College & Researc Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

Racial and ethnic diversity: Information exchange

By Susana Hinojosa

Chair, ACRL Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee

• UCLA’s Library Committee on Diversity has published an attractive brochure, “Weaving Unity from Diversity,” describing the committee charge, working groups, and membership. The UCLA Library Committee on Diversity is a standing committee of approximately 25 members (equal numbers of librarians and staff) appointed for indefinite terms by the associate university librarian for Personnel and Administrative Services. The committee’s charge is: (1) to advise the library administration in meeting its goal of attracting and retaining greater representation of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups among all levels of staff; (2) to design and implement programs which will enhance the library as a receptive and hospitable workplace, welcoming diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, physical abilities, and sexual orientation; and (3) to serve as a library network promoting the benefits of a diverse workforce through work on search committees, in other campus and off-campus groups with similar interests, and informally among the library staff. The committee published “First Report, October 1988 to September 1990,” which includes a history of the committee, information about the specific working groups, highlights, accomplishments, and goals. Contact: Eudora Loh (Chair) or Rita Scher- rei (AUL/PAS) at URL, UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024; or (213) 825-2146.

• The Minorities Recruitment Committee of the New Members Round Table is sponsoring a mentor program for students, new librarians, and first-time conference attendees to start at the annual conference in Atlanta. The program will match experienced conference-goers with those new to the profession to enhance the conference experience. To date librarians have volunteered as mentors, but more “mentees” are needed and especially encouraged to apply. The dates for application have been extended to June 21. The NMRT Orientation Session is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, at 2:00 pm. Contact: Lorelei Tanji, U.C., Irvine, P.O. Box 19557, Irvine, CA 92713; phone: (714) 856-5216 or fax (714) 856-5740.

• “Ethnic Studies Research Library Collections: From the 1960’s to the 21st Century,” was the title of the session presented by librarians at the National Association for Ethnic Studies (NAES), Nineteenth Annual Conference held at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, March 1991. The panel of four librarians presented papers on the following topics: historical review of California’s public and academic ethnic library collections; bibliographic access and the role of the ethnic information specialist; the development and governance of academic ethnic library collections within the UC system; and a description of a library instruction program that focuses on ethnic studies research by multicultural undergraduate students at UC Santa Cruz. It was clear to this group of panelists that librarians need to build on and continue active participation in non-librarian professional organizations, such as NAES. Contact: Rafaela' Castro, Shields Library, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA 95616; call (916) 752-2040; fax (916) 752-6899.

Note: Items of a practical nature that highlight programs, reports, and activities in academic libraries and ACRL that address racial and midticul- tural issues are especially needed for this column. Please forward items to Susana Hinojosa, Moffitt Undergraduate Library, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720; e-mail: shinojos@library.berkeley.edu; fax (415) 643-7891.