Diversity Committee
Announcements
The ALAO Diversity Committee is pleased to award the annual Diversity Scholarship for 2011-2012 to Bridgette Billingslea. Bridgette is currently a student in the Master of Library and Information Science program at Kent State University. She earned an undergraduate degree in History from The Ohio State University. The ALAO Diversity Scholarship awards Bridgette $1,500 towards her tuition, complimentary registration for the ALAO annual conference in November, and a year of mentoring from an ALAO member. Congratulations to Ms. Billingslea! The Committee is confident that she will be a strong leader and advocate for diversity and inclusion in academic libraries.
About the Committee
Purpose
The purpose of the Diversity Committee is to address various aspects of human diversity, including ethnic and racial; gender and disability issues; international or cross-cultural issues; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues; and age. This Committee serves as an advisory group to ALAO to assist the organization in providing leadership for diversity by acting as a bridge to promote understanding across racial and cultural lines and to help foster and sustain diversity throughout the organization.
Specific Activities
- Plan, organize and hold educational programs and activities that may:
- Develop among Ohio academic library personnel a sensitivity and positive attitude toward human diversity.
- Encourage library personnel in Ohio to interact with other individuals and organizations that promote diversity.
- Encourage the incorporation of diversity concerns in all areas of Ohio library policy and practice.
- Develop and/or share recruitment and retention strategies to attract a diverse population to careers in Ohio libraries.
- Award the ALAO Diversity Scholarship annually to a qualified student enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLS program who exemplifies the qualities needed to ensure a diverse library workforce.
- Communicate regularly to the members of ALAO about activities and items of interest concerning diversity.
- Produce a diversity column for the ALAO Newsletter.
- Sponsor a program for each ALAO annual conference.
- Serve as a link between ALAO and other groups concerned with issues of diversity.
Membership
Past President, Public Relations Coordinator, and up to 5 ALAO members recruited by the Committee Chair and formally appointed by the President for 2 year staggered terms. In consultation with the Diversity Committee Chair, the ALAO President may appoint one or more members of the Diversity Committee to serve on the ALAO Program Committee. The Diversity Committee Chair also serves on the Nominating Committee.
Current Roster for 2011-2012
Diane Kolosionek, Cleveland State University, Chair (2010-2012)
Ken Burhanna, Kent State University (2010-2012)
Sharon Purtee, University of Cincinnati (2010-2012)
Jamie Seeholzer, Kent State University (2010-2012)
Kwabena Sekyere, Miami University (2010-2012)
Peggy Rector, Denison University, PR Coordinator
Rocki Strader, Ohio State University, Past President
Diane Kolosionek
Cleveland State University
Phone: 216-802-3358
Email: d.kolosionek44 at csuohio.edu
Updated September 16, 2011
