Higher education institutions, and specifically libraries, are implementing new programs to help diversify their faculty, staff, and student populations. Studies show the importance of students seeing faculty who look like them in the classroom at all levels. Diversifying the library profession is an important topic among librarians and for our professional organizations, such as the Association of College and Research Libraries.
Promoting an inclusive environment on campus is a key part of the library’s strategic plan. This year, we developed a new Undergraduate Library Diversity Fellowship. I want to thank all of our generous donors who contributed financial support for this new fellowship during SCU’s 2018 Day of Giving.
In this issue we share about the work our fellows are doing, and present an interview fellow Jasminder Bains conducted with the authors of the book The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South. We will also introduce the newest member of the Library’s leadership team.
Thank you for your support of the SCU Library. We wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season!