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Friday, June 7 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Panel - Achieving equity, diversity and inclusion in libraries: A possibility or myth?

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Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) continues to be one of the most important agendas many organizations try to implement or achieve, and the library as an organization is not immune to this either. In fact, within the last few years EDI became a hot topic in libraries in north America generally and Canada in particular. Many libraries and library associations (academic, private, public, special) have set up committees with the sole purpose of ensuring that EDI is achieved. Furthermore, many guidelines, standards and competencies, distinguished seminar series, webinars, just to mention a few, have been created or introduced to assist many of these committees and any interested individuals on how to make EDI achievable. According to the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA-FCAB), “Libraries have a responsibility to contribute to a culture that recognizes diversity and fosters social inclusion” and this is because “libraries have a unique and unparalleled ability to bring people and knowledge together.” Hence, as libraries transform and are in the “midst of great change” as the theme of the conference suggests, I believe an important component of this great change is to incorporate a significant emphasis on EDI. Thus, the question is, will EDI be achievable in libraries or will it be just the flavor of the month? My aim here is to encourage conversations around issues of EDI in the library field because EDI cuts across many areas of librarianship from staffing to collections and beyond.

Speakers
avatar for Sandra Dwyer

Sandra Dwyer

Director, Libraries HR & Access Services, Dalhousie University
Sandra Dwyer is the Director of Human Resources and Access Services for the Dalhousie Libraries. She holds a BA (English) and an MLIS and has been with the Dalhousie Libraries since 1990. Sandra is the chair of the Libraries EDIA Committee. She is passionate about equity, diversity... Read More →
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Asmeret Gheabreab

Member, Libraries Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Dalhousie University Libraries
Asmeret Ghebreab’s career at Dalhousie University spans over 20 years working at both the Killlam and Kellogg libraries. As a full time employee, she obtained her Bachelor of Management degree and continues to partake in various professional development activities. She is an active... Read More →
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Dominic Silvio

Public Services Librarian, Killam Memorial Library, Dalhousie University
Dominic is a Public Services librarian and a subject specialist based in the Killam Memorial Library, Dalhousie University.


Friday June 7, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm NDT
.B 1013