The mission of the Library Diversity Committee is dedicated to provide leadership to the staff of the University of Michigan Library by promoting understanding in various areas of diversity, and to collaborate with members of the campus and the community to bridge individual and collective experiences; to serve as an advisory group to the library administration, reporting on diversity programs and on staff and patron concerns; and to lead in the creation and implementation of diversity activities.
To create a welcoming and respectful environment and organizational culture within the library, we must not assume that people who have characteristics different than our own necessarily have the same needs, experiences, and points of view that we do. At the same time, we must not make the assumption that "they" are all the same.
Therefore, we must expand our definition of diversity to include all of us. This requires a different mindset, one where the emphasis is on how we as individuals can all contribute to a diverse workplace.
Having stated the above, we must recognize that not everyone faces the same consequences for their diversity. We cannot forget that issues of difference is closely tied to issues of power and discrimination. Issues of equity are inseparable from issues of diversity. Individuals are judged by how they fit into the characteristics outlined above. We must remember that equality will require effort, resources and commitments to both structural change and continuing education.
Diversity is not just about numbers. It requires profound structural and cultural change. We will not succeed in creating a truly diverse environment until every individual feels valued and respected, and that their point of view and experiences are important to the workings of the organization.
University Library
February 1996
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