Cultivating community, promoting inclusivity: collections as fulcrum for targeted outreach

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

New Library World

ISSN

0307-4803

Volume

113

Issue

5--6

DOI

10.1108/03074801211226364

First Page

281

Last Page

289

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to describe the implementation and analyze the outcomes of the Diversity Book Display initiative at the University of the Pacific's Library. Through this program, curated displays were used to promote multicultural learning and inclusivity, as well as to build intra‐institutional relationships with curricular and co‐curricular units engaged in diversity work on campus.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper places the University of the Pacific's program within the context of academic library outreach through displays and exhibits, as well as situating it in relation to recent trends regarding library outreach to and collaboration with student services. An overview of the development and implementation is provided along with the results of a multi‐year assessment of the initiative.

Findings – The mindful leveraging of collections not only provides opportunities for student learning regarding diversity and inclusion, but also can be a platform to build collaborative campus relationships and elevate library visibility. The Diversity Book Display initiative has been a positive way to engage patrons with library collections as well as with social and cultural issues pertaining to multiculturalism and inclusivity.

Originality/value – This paper describes a unique approach to cultivating partnerships with students, faculty and staff, through co‐promotions of campus diversity and inclusion efforts and the library's collections.

Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Karen Cardozo‐Kane, M. Kathleen Kern, and Lisa J. Hinchliffe, whose comments and suggestions were most helpful in the preparation of this manuscript.

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