Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Action in the Library Workplace

Implementing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace is imperative. We know that when diverse leadership does not exist, women are 20% less likely than straight men to win endorsement for their ideas; LGBTQ people are 21% less likely; and people of color are most affected at 24%. The world of libraries is largely lacking diversity, which is why these statistics matter.

Those who are part of marginalized groups should be heard, seen, and treated equitably. Your organization is likely missing out on amazing ideas, solutions, relationships, and opportunities to do the right thing ethically by supporting ALL staff fully. The challenge? Many from diverse backgrounds are often overlooked and unheard.

In this 3-week online course learners will:

• Discover how bias starts during the hiring process and throughout the professional journey at an organization and how to combat this issue.
• Become a safe ally for those of marginalized groups.
• Create checks and balances so that diverse coworkers know that their insights are heard.
• Build processes and initiatives around fighting bias in their workplace.

Course Description: Through a series of three scheduled live online meetings, supplementary materials and practical assignments, participants will learn the tools needed to truly listen to coworkers of marginalized populations with empathy, build trust, create improved morale, and better support the in the communities they serve.

Online Meetings

• Meeting One: September 9 @11am Pacific
• Meeting Two: September 16 @11am Pacific
• Meeting Three: September 23 @11am Pacific

Note: Please make every effort to ensure that you are able to attend these two meetings before enrolling in the course. If this is not possible, archived recordings will be made available.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

• Week 1: Hire Without Bias
  • Promote open positions in places and ways that will ensure you get a diverse pool of candidates.
  • Why only basing hiring off of past work experience and education is dangerous for your minority candidates.
  • Exploring bias during the hiring process and ways to combat this.
  • Setting marginalized employees up for success through being their ally once hired, including dealing with inequitable practices and systematic issues.
• Week 2: Forming Allies in The Workplace
  • Defining what it means to be an ally in the workplace.
  • Why ignoring the hard conversations silences those affected, and how to be more open.
  • How to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
  • Why follow-up and next steps are your best friend and how to implement these.
• Week 3: Inclusivity in Action:
  • How to create a welcoming environment for marginalized employees to provide feedback and why anonymity matters.
  • What to do when a marginalized employee openly challenges bias or discrimination and ways to make space for them not to receive backlash.
  • Why saying, "I apologize," and truly meaning it is so important.
  • What are safe spaces in the workplace and how to get started.

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2 1/2 hours per week, for a total of 7 1/2 course hours. Each week's module contains an online meeting, readings, assignments and discussions. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Anyone looking to increase their understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism in the workplace, specifically managers.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

Are you a member of ARSL? If so, you may be able to sign up for a free seat in this course. Limit is five free seats per course. Make your request here and if a free seat is available you will be notified.