Diversity Residency Program
Diversity HomeThe University of Tennessee Libraries, in keeping with a long-standing commitment to diversity, launched its first Diversity librarian residency program in 2002. Barbara Dewey, the Dean of the Libraries, with the support of the University’s Vice Chancellor, library department heads and the Libraries’ Diversity Committee, initiated the idea in 2001. The Libraries’ Dean believed that the residency program would “bring into the organization and the profession at large not only ethnic and cultural diversity but also the fresh enthusiasm and skills of recent library and information science graduates.” In addition, the program was seen as a “tool that offered residents early work experience that is transferable to future positions.” With this in mind, Jill Keally, the resident program coordinator, with the help of the Libraries’ Diversity Committee, gathered all the information necessary to launch the program and by fall 2002 the group was ready to start the search for at least two candidates.
2010-2013 Residents
Rabia Gibbs and Kynita Stringer-Stanback joined us as the UT Libraries Diversity Residents on Monday, February 1. 
Rabia received her MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh in August 2009. She also holds a BA in Philosophy from Evergreen State College and a M.Ed from Arcadia University in Elementary Education. Kynita received her MS in Library Science from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in May 2009. She has a Bachelor’s degree in African and Afro-American Studies from UNC,CH and has international travel experience.
The Diversity Committee welcomed our new residents with a reception February, 16 at 3:00 in the Mary Greer room 2nd floor Hodges Library and we are honored to have them as members of our committee.
Click here to see the slide show of the residents reception.
2007-2009 Residents
Meet the 2007-2009 Residents
Residency Lunch was held October 25th at the World Cafe on Market Square
Our resident lunch went well. Those members of the Diversity Committee that attended the lunch; Thura Mack, Marielle Veve, Jeff French, Andy Madson, Jeanine Williamson, Sandy Allen, Trisha Brady, and myself (joined at the restaurant by Allison Roberts), along with our two new residents, Damon Campbell and Shantrie Collins met at the ground floor entrance and walked to the corner where we boarded a trolley headed downtown. it was our residents first experience in riding our trolley system. We had to get off of the trolley two blocks short of Market Square, but it was a nice walk on to the restaurant. We ate at the World Grotto on the bottom floor where there was a large, quiet room secluded in the back. Everyone introduced themselves and chatted casually before ordering, while eating, and afterward until everyone was finished and we were ready to leave.
Damon Campbell and Shantrie Collins begin their residency October 15th 2007.
More information about the 2007-2009 residents is available here.
2005-2007 Residents
Shantel Agnew, LaVerne Gray, and Mark Puente began their program on September 1, 2005 completed rotations in different departments over two years. More information about these residents is available here.
2003-2005 Residents
Kawanna Bright, Jayati Chaudhuri and Maud Mundava were the UT Libraries' first Diversity residents. They began the program on September 2, 2003 and completed it in July 2005. Kawanna Bright completed her first rotation in the Studio, her second rotation in the Reference department, and her third rotation with the Digital Library Center. Jayati Chaudhuri completed her first rotation in the Cataloging department of Technical Services, her second rotation in Digital Access and her third rotation in the reference department. Maud Mundava completed her first rotation in the Reference department, her second rotation in the Cataloging department and Digital Access and is completing her third rotation with Collection Development and Management. All three residents completed their second year rotations in the Reference and Instructional Services Department. At the end of the program, Kawanna Bright and Maud Mundava both accepted positions with the UT Libraries. Kawanna is currently instructional services librarian and Maud is social sciences librarian in the Reference and Instructional Services Department. Jayati Chaudhuri accepted a position as reference librarian at the University of Northern Colorado.
2003-2005 Residents' Highlights
Diversity Librarians' Network (DLN) - http://www.lib.utk.edu/residents/dln: A project currently underway by the residents, the DLN is an effort to bring together diverse librarians and others interested in issues related to diversity in librarianship into a forum for networking and sharing. A major focus of the project is the connection of former, current, and future participants in diversity training programs.
TLA 2004 Presentation - "Preparing Diverse Graduates for Careers in Professional Librarianship: A Focus on the University of Tennessee Diversity Residency Program." Also see the complete paper published online in Vol 54, no. 2 of the Tennessee Librarian.
(Click here for a pdf version of the paper)
Journal Article Publication - Bright, K., Chaudhuri, J., & Mundava, M. (2005). The Diversity Librarians’ Network: Connecting, Sharing, Succeeding! Versed: Bulletin of the Office for Diversity, American Library Association, June 2005, 14.
Book Chapter Publication - Bright, K., Chaudhuri, J. & Mundava, M. (2006). “The Diversity Librarians’ Network” in B. I. Dewey and L. O. Parham (eds), Achieving Diversity: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians. New York: Neal Schuman Publishers: 187-202.
More information about the 2003-2005 residents is available here.
Residents in the News
"UT Diversity Librarian Residents Receive Grant" - also available online through Tennessee Today.
"Cultural Diversity Grant Presented to Diversity Librarian Residents
Program in the News
"UT Launches Diversity Librarians Program"
"Diversity Librarians Begin Residency Program at UT Libraries"
Program Vacancy Announcement
The 2005-2007 residency program positions have been filled. Congratulations
to Shantel Agnew, LaVerne Gray, and Mark Puente!
2005
Program Announcement - 2003
Program Announcement
March 1, 2010
