Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Gleeson Library is committed to antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) and infusing these values in our work. Gleeson Library believes that anti-racist work is an ongoing commitment — it is not something one can check off a list. Doing this work and grappling with our histories is uncomfortable, but that will not stop us from engaging with it or taking action, and learning how to do better along the way.
Black Lives Matter Statement
Gleeson Library aims to work vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension, all people. We acknowledge, respect, and celebrate differences and commonalities. We also acknowledge the roles our institution and many other academic libraries play, both historically and today, in the ongoing subjugation of Black people and the intersections between librarianship and systemic racism. We affirm that Black Lives Matter.
— Shawn P. Calhoun, Library Dean (June 2020)
Recent ADEI Initiatives
Community Engagement Guides
We are creating curated research guides for ADEI and social justice resources.
Collection Development Diversity Statement
We are dedicated to building equitable and accessible collections.
Harmful Language Statement
We are confronting harmful language in our catalog records and finding aids.
- Racial Literacy through BIPOC Playscripts — BIPOC play collection funded through the Jesuit Foundation's 6 + YOU Initiative
- Black Resource Center Collection — Funding and ongoing support for a collection of books inside the BRC
- Special Collections & University Archives Projects — Prioritizing the digitization of rare materials that widen the geographic and cultural scope of materials in our University Archives and Digital Collections
- Gleeson Gleaning Blog — Posts highlighting ADEI-related resources for heritage and identity recognition/awareness months
- Displays & Exhibits — Student Social Justice Exhibit program features media created by students and ebooks selected by librarians
- Preferred Names in Library Systems — Preferred names are used for students, faculty, and staff in library patron records, circulation notices received via email, and group study room bookings
- Racial Equity Retreat — Library leadership team attended a retreat with the Race Forward organization
- Instructional Design Workshop — Library workers attended an instructional design workshop focused on critical race theory with Sophia Leung
- Reparative and Inclusive Description Survey Scholar Internship — RID Survey Scholar intern jointly funded by the Jesuit Foundation and Gleeson Library