Purpose and Organization

The University of Tennessee Libraries' Diversity Committee was established in January 2001. The Committee was appointed by the Dean of Libraries, Barbara Dewey, after a call for volunteers was made to library staff and faculty. The Committee's first meeting was held on February 12, 2001. At this initial meeting the Dean noted that the formation of the Diversity Committee was in keeping with the Libraries' planning documents and strategic priorities for 2001, which state that the Libraries should "develop a plan to address diversity and a welcoming library environment." The Committee was encouraged to provide leadership for both the Libraries and the UT community in promoting the value of diversity.

In Spring 2001, the Committee's eleven members created the following mission for the Diversity Committee:

The University of Tennessee Libraries' Diversity Committee is dedicated to creating a more inclusive community in all realms of service grounded in respect and appreciation for individual differences. The Committee endorses a broad definition of diversity, and seeks to provide programs and resources that enhance knowledge and encourage understanding of diversity. The Committee strives to provide leadership for the Libraries in meeting the needs of all its constituencies and special populations.

In May 2002, the Committee established procedures for membership, which outlined the process for the appointment of new members every spring. Sixteen individuals were appointed to serve on the Diversity Committee for 2002-2003.

Strategic priorities and goals were established in May 2001 to guide the Committee in its first year.
A summary of Diversity Committee activities and accomplishments, based on these priorities and goals, follows for the period February 2001-June 30, 2002.

Committee Training & Professional Development

Before assuming any kind of leadership role for the Libraries or the UT community in promoting diversity, the Diversity Committee realized that committee members needed training and education on the issues surrounding diversity. At the same time, there was a need to develop trust and a common sense of purpose within the Committee itself. To accomplish both of these objectives, the Committee pursued professional development and continuing education opportunities throughout the year.

• February 2001 -- The Committee met with the Interim Director of UT's Office of Equity and Diversity, Jennifer Richter, to discuss the role of that office and the Committee's purpose and goals. Suggestions were made for committee training and professional development.
• April 2001 -- Rosa Thomas, a facilitator from UT's Wellness Office, Student Health Services, assisted the Committee with communication skills and in getting to know each other. The result was the Committee being better prepared to work together in developing a definition of diversity.
• May 2001 -- A definition of diversity was created by the Committee after several meetings and workshops on the topic. This was a necessary and critical step to occur before the Committee could move forward in training and programming for library staff.
• September - October 2001 -- Committee member Molly Royse participated in and completed the Association of Research Libraries' online lyceum course on "The Role of Assessment in Advancing Diversity." Financial support was provided by the Dean. The information gleaned from this course provided a foundation and framework for the Committee's organization and planning activities regarding assessment.
• March 2002 -- The Committee planned and organized a panel, entitled "All People Considered: Diversity Efforts in Tennessee Libraries," for the annual Tennessee Library Association conference. Thura Mack moderated and Tiffani Conner served on the panel as the Committee's representative.
• March 2002 -- The Committee was awarded a Cultural Diversity Grant by the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) to host a pre-conference on diversity at the 2003 Tennessee Library Association conference.
• March 2002 -- Committee members Tiffani Conner, Tamara Miller, and Molly Royse attended and presented at the 3rd National Conference on Diversity in Academic Libraries, Iowa City. Financial assistance was provided by the Dean.
• June 2002 -- Committee members Thura Mack and Molly Royse presented a poster session, entitled "Diversity @ Our Library: The Evolution of a Diversity Initiative at UT Libraries," at the American Library Association's annual conference in Atlanta. The session was delivered both at the ALA Diversity Fair and at the general poster sessions for administration and management.

Assessment & Evaluation

During its first year, the Diversity Committee deemed that assessing the state of the UT Libraries' climate in regard to diversity was a priority if the Committee was to appropriately focus committee activities and programming. As a result, assessment and evaluation activities consumed much of the Committee's time and efforts.

• July 2001 -- A climate assessment subcommittee was formed to plan and develop a diversity climate assessment instrument for all library employees.
• October 2001 -- A "University Libraries Climate Survey" was distributed to library employees with the purpose of assessing perceptions of the general work climate in the Libraries, as well as reactions regarding the more specific climate for diversity.
• February 2002 -- A "Diversity Climate Survey Report to Participants," which presented the cumulated responses of the survey, was distributed to all library employees. An open forum was conducted for library staff to discuss the survey results.
• April 2002 -- A paper, entitled "Are We Ready to Meet Our Future: A Diversity Climate Assessment," was presented by committee members Tiffani Conner, Tamara Miller, and Molly Royse at the 3rd National Conference on Diversity in Academic Libraries in Iowa City.

Staff Development & Education

Raising awareness of diversity issues among library staff was an ongoing goal of the Diversity Committee during its first year. Attempts were made to create opportunities for staff to come together and learn more about diversity.

• August 2001 -- A "Food for Thought" Diversity Luncheon was hosted by the Committee to introduce its mission, goals, and definition of diversity to library staff.
• September 2001 -- A "Call for Civility" statement was created and issued by the Committee in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th. A web page evolved that offered support and provided information about campus reaction and scheduled events. The Committee collaborated with the Libraries' Campus Chest Campaign to solicit donations to support recovery efforts.
• November 2001 -- A "Harvest of Hope" Tea was hosted by the Committee to thank library staff for support and introduce the Committee's web page.

Collaboration & Networking

Making the University population aware of the Libraries' commitment to diversity was a goal of the Diversity Committee. Efforts were begun to establish collaborative and networking relationships with various campus entities.

• October 2001 -- The Committee participated in the UT Black Cultural Center's "Dream to Reality" Courtyard Brick Project by purchasing a brick to help support the construction of the new Center.
• November 2001 -- With financial support from the Dean, the Committee co-sponsored, along with other UT departments and programs, a Center for Applied and Professional Ethics lecture on homosexuality.
• March 2002 -- The Committee collaborated with a graduate seminar in Educational Administration and Cultural Studies to create a display at Hodges on women's firsts at UT during Women's History Month.

Publicity & Marketing

The Diversity Committee recognized that effectively publicizing and marketing committee efforts and activities were important for the Committee to successfully accomplish its goals and objectives.

• A logo for the Committee was created by the Libraries' Outreach Publications Specialist to assist in defining the Committee's publications and communication efforts.
• The Committee's definition of diversity was shared both within and outside the Libraries via a bookmark which was designed to effectively communicate the definition.
• The Committee developed a web page (http://www.lib.utk.edu/~training/Diversity) to assist in publicizing its mission and goals, its definition of diversity, and committee activities. The web page is also intended to serve as a resource tool for those interested in exploring resources on diversity and camps-wide events.

Looking Back and to the Future

The Libraries' Diversity Committee had a most challenging and productive first year and a half. The Committee met many of its initial goals and objectives, and began to set goals for the new year. A strong foundation was laid upon which future Committees can build. A key element to the success of the Committee so early in its existence was the support of the Libraries' administration. From the beginning, it was clear that the Committee is strategically important to the Libraries' mission and planning. The administrative financial assistance provided in 2001-02 was invaluable in assisting the Committee in accomplishing its goals. The Diversity Committee looks forward in the coming months to strengthening its leadership role for the Libraries and the UT community in promoting the value of diversity.

Submitted by the UT Libraries' Diversity Committee
October 9, 2002