Monday, June 22, 2020

American Library Association Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Assembly (new June 2020).



















Announcing the new ALA EDI Assembly!

At the 2020 Midwinter Meeting, the ALA Executive Board charged the
ODLOS Advisory Committee with creating an Equity, Diversity, 
and Inclusion Assembly. 
 The purpose of this EDI Assembly is to provide a forum for all groups
 within ALA and ALA-affiliated organizations working on initiatives 
related to equity, diversity, and inclusion to discuss their activities,
 identify opportunities for collaboration and coordination, 
and explore new initiatives related to the association's strategic
direction for equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
Who's invited?
All groups within ALA and ALA-affiliated organizations working on 
initiatives related to equity, diversity, and inclusion are invited 
to send representatives. Individuals interested in equity, diversity, 
and inclusion are also welcomed to attend and participate. 
Volunteers will serve two-year terms on the assembly,
with flexibility as needed.
How will it work?
The EDI Assembly will meet quarterly, starting with its inaugural 
meeting on August 4th from 12-1:30pm PDT / 1pm-2:30pm MDT / 
2pm-3:30pm CDT / 3pm-4:30pm EDT. We will use the the principles 
outlined in the ALA EDI Implementation Working Group's final report 
as a framework for our discussions, so that as we share the work 
we're doing, we will map those principles to our work and identify
 gaps in what's being worked on so that we can move towards a
 holistic culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
What are those ten principles again?
The ten principles are:
  • Communication
  • Courage
  • Centralization
  • Cultural competency/humility
  • Consistency
  • Cooperation & Collaboration
  • Coordination
  • Commitment
  • Change
  • Caring
How do I sign up?  
You'll join the EDI Assembly through the ALA Volunteer Form
-stay tuned for more information. You'll then be added to the 
ALA Connect group for the Assembly.
I still have questions!
Please contact Elizabeth Brumfield, 
incoming chair of the ODLOS Advisory Committee and convener
 of the EDI Assembly, at ejbrumfield@pvamu.edu.