Bulletin of the Office for Diversity, American Library Versed Association adj. Practiced or skilled; knowledgeable. ISSN 1554-494X january 2007 SPECIAL midwinter meeting 2007 issue

episodes in American Indian history along Guest editorial with documentary footage of contem- porary Indian life. The National Library Initiative will provide program-planning kits to 17,000 public library locations. We Celebrating Community, hope to develop a speakers bureau and reading lists to support these activities. The Task Force on Supporting Library Collaboration, and Information Science (LIS) Education Through Practice will identify a way to and Culture connect graduate LIS students with field experiences. We are in the process of designing a database of Capstone experi- Plans for an ALA Presidential ence opportunities. Through service-learn- Year, 2007-2008 Loriene Roy ing activities, students will gain valuable experience while providing useful assis- tance to library workers. The database Dr. Loriene Roy will also be a vehicle for students to pres- ent their culminating work to prospective Dr. Loriene Roy is Professor, School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin employers. and President-Elect of the American Library Association. The third Task Force will address the issue of Workplace Wellness. We will initi- Megwitch, thank you, for the support you You will find information about my ate an effort to help library workers main- have given me over the past year. During Presidential plans on my ALA President- tain healthy practices in the workplace my campaign for ALA President-Elect Elect web site at http://www.lorieneroy and in their lives. Task Force members I was honored to receive unsolicited .com. I have selected three programmatic will develop workplace environmental endorsements by the American Indian initiatives. One platform is including assessment tools. They are also planning Library Association (AILA), REFORMA, all peoples in a Circle of Literacy. The a wellness fair to take place at the 2008 the Orange County Chapter of REFORMA, Circle of Literacy Task Force will ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim. The the Northeast Chapter of REFORMA, El a plan for promoting literacy, including wellness fair will include health screening Corazón de Tejas-Central Texas Chapter multilingual literacy in indigenous com- opportunities and information booths. of REFORMA, the Feminist Task Force munities in rural and urban settings. This We hope that each of the three plat- of ALA’s Social Responsibilities Round plan will support literacy efforts with and form issues will also be expressed in Table, and Te Ropu Whakahau (Maori in for immigrants from all nationalities, and a publication such as a monograph, Libraries and Information Management). will also address the literacy concerns of theme issue of a journal, or an insert in Over the past six months I have been busy those who are incarcerated. One of our an issue of a journal. In addition to the planning the organizational structure for key collaborations is with WGBH-Boston; Task Forces for my three platforms, the the year when I will serve as both ALA we will be assisting WGBH in the National Envisioning Circle and Events Planning President and President of the ALA-Allied Library Initiative related to an upcom- Circle will help infuse our discussions Professional Association. Let me give you ing American Experience television and planning with both indigenous and a preview of some of these plans. program,“We Shall Remain,” which will international perspectives. We are starting First, I invite you to attend two events air in April 2008 as a five-episode series that will take place at the 2007 ALA on PBS. “We Shall Remain” will present continued on page 12 Annual Conference in Washington, DC. I will be inaugurated as ALA President at a ticketed banquet on June 26, 2007. In addition to the inaugural banquet, I in this issue have recently learned that the National Special Report: ALA Releases “Diversity Counts” Study . . . . 2 Museum of the American Indian is hosting Feature: Spectrum Celebrates 10 Years ...... 6 an honor dance for me. This free event Diversity Toolchest: Diversity Program Database Launched . . 11 will be open to the public and will likely BookLook: Library Services for Students with Disabilities . . . 12 take place at the NMAI on Friday, June 22. Versed

About Versed special report

Versed, the official publication of the American Library Association’s Office for Diversity, 50 East Huron Diversity Counts Street, Chicago, IL 60611, is pub- lished 5 times per year online at www.ala.org/versed with paper A National Study of Diversity printings available twice yearly in the Library Workforce at ALA Midwinter Meetings and Annual Conferences. Denise M. Davis True to its meaning: practiced, skilled, or knowledgeable; Versed Denise M. Davis is Director, American Library Association, Office for Research and Statistics. will bring together the most pro- gressive practitioners and the best practices in current library-based In October 2006, the American Library (NCES) regularly reports national, state, diversity work. Association (ALA) released “Diversity and individual library statistics on a vari- Counts,” a comprehensive study of gen- ety of aspects of library operations. Using Please consider submitting an article der, race, and age in the library profes- the figures reported in 1990 and 2000 or editorial; sharing a successful sion. The findings presented in this study about library staffing, both professional program or initiative; reviewing and are based on several sets of data, the most and other staff, it was possible to apply recommending diversity-related significant from analysis conducted in the Census estimates to NCES figures books and videos of interest to spring 2006 by Decision Demographics, a and determine staff distributions by type library service (whole bibliographies research firm in Arlington, VA for the ALA of library, gender, race/ethnicity and age and videographies are especially Office for Research & Statistics and Office (2000). Further data are presented from welcome); tackling pressing social or for Diversity. The team analyzed the 1990 the Bureau of Labor Statistics and salary professional issues; and publicizing and 2000 decennial Censuses of the U.S. and retirement studies conducted by ALA. diversity related events or confer- for the industry of “library” including ences. Visit www.ala.org/versed for credentialed (with an MLIS) and non-cre- our submission guidelines and edi- dentialed employees. The purpose of this What We Learned torial calendar or email inquiries to: analysis was to provide reliable estimates The number of credentialed librarians [email protected]. of employment in the profession and age, (with an MLIS) increased 21.6 percent gender, and ethnicity figures for five (5) between 1990 and 2000, with the highest ©2007 American Library Association. types of libraries—public, academic, K-12, increases in schools (K–12 public and All material in Versed subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be photocopied for “This study is a first step in providing a benchmark the noncommercial purpose of sci- entific or educational advancement. for initiatives currently underway and a road map for work still ahead of us,” said ALA Executive Director Office for Diversity Keith Michael Fiels. “The 2000 data does not reflect American Library Association 50 East Huron Street national recruitment efforts initiated by the ALA Chicago, IL 60611 and others beginning in the late 1990s.” phone: 1-800-545-2433 ext. 5020 fax: (312) 280-3256 e-mail: [email protected] hospitals, legal libraries—and all other private) and law libraries. Public libraries online: www.ala.org/diversity types of libraries reported as a single and archives showed marked increases in category. Further, ALA was interested in employment, approximately 24 percent. Gwendolyn Prellwitz, understanding the extent of single-gender Two areas of decline were in academic Program Officer (same-sex) households as a subset of the and hospital libraries, minus two (-2) per- library industry. These data were reported cent and minus 46.2 percent, respectively. Design by Karen Sheets. by Census beginning with the 2000 decen- Not surprisingly, credentialed librar- Layout by ALA Production Services. nial study. ians are predominantly women, ages 45– In order to understand what the 54, and white. They are not limited by dis- Census estimates meant in the “real ability and work full-time (40+ hours per world” of librarianship it was necessary week). Library assistants are even more to go to the nationally reported data. The predominantly female than librarians, are National Center for Education Statistics more likely to be 35 years of age or under,

 january 2007 Versed and white. They, too, are not limited by ostensibly includes all categories of disability. Unlike their librarian counter- library workers) for the most experienced “Lewis and Clark” parts, they almost equally work full and dramatic rates of attrition that cannot be to make expedition part-time weekly schedules. These find- completely accounted for by retirement. ings held true in both the 1990 and 2000 The incremental increase in numbers of to libraries! decennial Census data. racial and ethnic minorities enrolled in Applications now available for the Sixteen-point-eight percent of all the nation’s LIS programs have not reflect- new traveling exhibit respondents selected non-white race/eth- ed the rate of increase, by percentage, of nicity categories, whereas only 11 percent racial and ethnic minorities in this coun- The ALA Public Programs Office, of MLIS librarians did so. Three (3) per- try over the past decade or more. Added in cooperation with the Newberry cent more Latinos reported holding non- to this, the 2004 retirement and recruit- Library, is accepting grant applica- credentialed librarian (without an MLIS) ment studies conducted by ALA (using tions from public, academic and positions, and two (2) percent more 2000 Census data) found that retirements special libraries wishing to host African Americans. Other distribution dif- would be slightly delayed than described the traveling exhibition, “Lewis ferences were less than one (1) percent. in the earlier 2002 study (which used and Clark and the Indian Country.” For both credentialed librarians and 1990 Census data), but with that delay The National Endowment for the library assistants under age 45, these num- more librarians would be eligible to retire Humanities (NEH) has provided major bers suggest a revolving door effect where (more would be age 65 or older). funding for the traveling exhibition. individuals are compelled by competing With strong retention of librarians at Libraries interested in hosting the workforce opportunities or by delayed the over 45 age ranges, and an apparently exhibition can download the applica- access to managerial leadership to leave consistent growth rate regardless of race tion and guidelines at http://www the library field for greener pastures or ethnicity coupled with a decline in both .ala.org/publicprograms or request elsewhere. More so than a matter of not credentialed and non-credentialed African a copy by sending an e-mail mes- having enough individuals in the pipeline American librarians, raises the question sage to [email protected]. to fill entry-level library positions, these why. Did these individuals find employ- Applications are due by February 9, numbers point to what can be foreseen in ment outside of the library industry dur- 2007. the LIS field as a crisis of leadership. ing the reported? Although sala- “Lewis and Clark” will bring public In regards to racial and ethnic diver- ries kept pace with inflation during the audiences a new set of ideas about sity, the need for both intensified recruit- 1990-2000 period, they did not increase the encounters of Native Americans ment and retention strategies is evident. at the rate of other professions—such with the Corps of According to a comparison of 1990 and as information technology (IT) or web Discovery between 1804 and 1806, 2000 Census EEO files, individuals from design/development. and will trace the dramatic impact of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds This study suggests the application of those encounters during the subse- self-identifying as librarians (and thus diversity not so much as a separate pro- quent two centuries. Exhibit visitors grammatic effort, but as a central frame- will be offered unique opportunities work of twenty-first century library and to explore the “Indian Country” as information science practice. The very it existed at the beginning of the existence of libraries rests on our ability 19th century; to glimpse the variety “Rather than a crisis of to create institutions and resource centers of relationships Native peoples and attraction to the profes- where would-be users see their informa- the Lewis and Clark party forged with one another; to view the impact of sion, the research sug- tion needs and themselves reflected. The complete study and additional the American presence on the Indian gests a potential crisis resources are available at www.ala.org/ Country; and to reflect on the efforts of contemporary reservation com- of leadership. We need diversitycounts. lv munities to support and sustain the to provide meaningful Indian Country and its remarkable professional growth if we cultures in the 21st century. are to retain new librar- For complete information about ians,” said ALA President “Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country,” please visit www.ala.org/ Leslie Burger. “I hope the publicprograms. first Emerging Leaders Institute will be only one of many efforts on behalf of the ALA and the pro- fession. The power to transform our libraries rests with all of us.”

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Illinois, prior to the creation of this posi- from the field tion, there had not been regular contact with the on-campus cultural centers such as La Casa, the African American Student Center, the Office of Minority Student Building Multicultural Outreach Affairs, the Asian American Student Center or the Native American House. The library did not systematically connect Programs in Academic Libraries in the past with the International Student Center, the English as a Second Language Emily Love Center, or the Office for Study Abroad either. All of these academic services Emily Love is Outreach Librarian for Multicultural Services at the provide students with academic programs University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Undergraduate Library. and enrichment, yet none of their pro- grams regularly offer a library component. Six months ago, while completing my provide a basic overview on planning mul- masters in library science at McGill ticultural programs in an academic library University, I received a call from for other new librarians. Multicultural Outreach the University of Illinois at Urbana- Programs on Campus Champaign (UIUC) inviting me to Once connections are made with the cul- interview for a relatively new position Campus Outreach tural centers, the library can either inte- as Outreach Librarian for Multicultural and Collaborations grate workshops into existing programs Services. Shortly after, they informed me One useful article by Scott Walter, or it can collaborate on new initiatives. that I would be asked to give a presenta- entitled, “Moving Beyond Collections: For instance, within only a few months, tion on “effective multicultural outreach Academic Library Outreach to I’ve helped organize the second series of strategies for an academic library.” Multicultural Student Centers” serves multilingual library tours; a library infor- To make a long story short, I was as a primer for multicultural outreach mation booth at the Latino/a Family Day, offered the job and have since migrated programming in an academic milieu. This organized by the Latino/a Association, south, where I recently began working article proved incredibly valuable to me and am currently coordinating a series of at the UIUC Undergraduate Library. To as I began this new position. In his article, information literacy workshops on effec- make a short story long, I’ve encountered Walter discusses the advantages of peer tive research strategies for term paper numerous challenges and opportunities mentoring programs as a way not only to writing, which will be held at all of the that bear elaboration. For instance, when give the library a multicultural facelift but cultural centers on campus as well as I initially reviewed the literature, I dis- also as a method of strategically recruit- the Office of Minority Student Affairs. In covered that information on multicultural ing minority students into the library addition, I plan on coordinating a library outreach, particularly as it pertains to an profession by exposing them to the world orientation center for new international academic environment, is relatively lack- of libraries.1 He also highlights the need students starting in the winter semester as ing. Few resources exist on multicultural for librarians to collaborate with on-cam- well as a multicultural web site that draws outreach programs in libraries. During pus groups and student services directed together lists of resources. the period from the mid 1980s to the mid at minority users as a means of reaching The University of Illinois currently 1990s, a small wave of published works out beyond the walls of the library and offers numerous academic programs and emerged regarding multiculturalism as a way of connecting library services student services for students of color and and its role in libraries. Unfortunately, with students. This has numerous advan- for international students. With that in this stream has trickled down to just a tages. First, it brings the library services mind, it only makes sense for the library, small pool of literature. Within this pool, closer to students of color by facilitating a central player in student learning and the majority of authors concentrate access. Second, by connecting with the achievement, to partner up with the mul- on aspects of collection development, cultural centers on campus, the library ticultural centers and student services. recruitment of minority librarians, and helps create a more inclusive on-campus I hope that with some time and effort, various programs for public libraries— environment. Third, campus outreach to library partnerships with on-campus a limited number of published materials multicultural student centers creates good groups will help to connect the library since the mid 1990s address multicultural publicity for the library and for the overall services with students of color, improve outreach programming in academic campus environment as an organization access to library resources and services libraries. that embodies openness and tolerance. for minority students, and foster an inclu- Another challenge that I faced was the In terms of effective multicultural sive and open campus environment. v lack of focus in this position because this l outreach in an academic setting, I’ve dis- job had been vacant for two years. I then covered that the best way for the library 1. Walter, S. (2005). “Moving beyond col- began to search various article databases to reach out to its multicultural users is to lections: Academic library outreach and books, looking for ideas from other find academic services on campus that do to multicultural student centers.” outreach librarians about the types of not currently collaborate with the library Reference Services Review, 33 (4). multicultural programs that were success- and then to establish a connection with ful in an academic library setting. As a them. For example, at the University of result, I thought it might prove useful to

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many of whom I met at the Spectrum from the field Leadership Institute in New Orleans this past June, are the folks that I will look forward to seeing most at future LIS conferences. It is important to have this The Electric Slide support network in our field so that even if we do feel alone in our day to day pro- fessional operations, we have each other A Report on the Inaugural to share stories and encouragement, and the possibility of meeting again at other Joint Conference of Librarians of Color LIS conferences, and it is so wonderful that our ad hoc family grows at each con- Lana Thelen ference.

Lana Thelen is the Deputy Director/Outreach Librarian at Perkins Braille and Talking Book Step, Touch, Step, Touch, Library and a 2005 Spectrum Scholar. Step, Touch, Step with ¼ Question: What do you get when you put such as sexual and gender minorities, Turn, Hop a couple hundred librarians together in immigrants, people with disabilities, and a banquet room with a DJ playing some low-to-no income patrons. There were so As a library student finally seeing the light retro jams? many high-quality programs offered that at the end of the tunnel, the job place- many conference goers were complaining ment center proved a valuable destina- Answer: Well the electric slide, of course. that it was difficult to decide which ses- tion throughout the conference. It was sion to attend, while others attempted to great to have that resource, since the visit two or three programs each session. libraries present were showing a commit- Grapevine Right, Touch Many of the topics focused on politically ment to increasing workplace diversity. The Joint Conference of Librarians of progressive content , which is often not While not all the libraries had openings Color (JCLC) was a recharging experi- well represented at other library related or could interview, the placement center ence for me and many other attendees, on conferences. was integral in expanding our networks. the dance floor, in the program sessions, Unfortunately, I found it difficult to bal- and just walking around meeting our col- ance attending programs of interest and leagues. The conference came after eight Walk Back, Touch finding a job because of the hours the years of planning by volunteers from I registered for this conference shortly placement center hours. the five ethnic caucuses: AILA APALA, after it was announced. Librarianship as a BCALA, CALA, and REFORMA. While it whole is not very diverse and as a result, Repeat the Dance Again was supported by ALA, it did not emerge I have often felt isolated and tokenized from ALA and had been a dream by many in my LIS environment. Thankfully as The next conference is expected to take of the ethnic caucuses for decades. JCLC a Spectrum Scholar I have been able place in the next three to four years with was the first conference I had been to to network with other library students much more intensive volunteer involve- where it seemed like everyone could not of color. My feelings of isolation are no ment. This was an impressive inaugural stop smiling. We were happy to meet or coincidence in this profession, and ALA event, and I look forward to attending the reconnect with colleagues and to share unveiled supporting diversity research at many JCLC’s to come. Some changes I stories or experiences about working in JCLC (see Special Report, pg. 2). would like to see for the next conference such an ethnically un-diverse field. But, This research confirmed the impres- are a more inclusive name that makes it librarians of color were not the only sion that libraries are pretty pale places clear that the conference is for librarians ones at the conference. There were also for us folks of color to enter. JCLC served of color and people serving populations attendees who serve populations of color as a meeting ground for librarians of of color, as well as more programs for or who are concerned about topics sur- color and an opportunity to connect with support staff, since that is often where rounding diverse populations. other librarians interested in these issues. diversity in libraries lays. A suggested title A library student from Pratt and I made could be “Joint Conference on Diversity plans to meet up in Boston after the con- in Libraries” or something along those Grapevine Left, Touch ference to reminisce on the wonderful lines. Regardless, I am positive that many The programs available were more rel- dreamlike, and unfortunately rare experi- people including myself are already shin- evant to my interests in librarianship than ence of being surrounded by other awe- ing up their shoes to slide on down to the at other conferences I have attended. some librarians of color. next JCLC. lv There were programs related to all differ- Attending JCLC also allowed me to ent types of libraries and information cen- reconnect with my extended Spectrum Electric Slide from: Silver, Richard Louis. ters, retention, and recruitment of diverse family. Our Spectrum cohort has grown (2004). “The Electric” Retrieved from http:// staff members, as well as programs on to include figurative cousins, uncles, aun- the-electricslidedance.com/ on November 8, other minorities who are frequently ties, and grandparents from around the 2006. underserved by traditional LIS services, U.S. and Canada. I imagine these people,

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It was about replenishment, not feature drainage. It was about being granted the time and the space to create inclusion as if it was with our first and last breath. Let the Circle It was about sharing the universal heartbreak and the universal triumph. Be Unbroken It was about the synergy and energy of authentic and meaningful diversity. Not all could be said in print or Reflections on the 10th Powerpoint. Not all could be explained with one of Anniversary of Spectrum the five senses or in one language. Sandra Rios Balderrama And so it went. And so it was. Lillian Lewis called the first Spectrum Sandra Rios Balderrama Steering Committee meeting in Chicago in 1997. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Sandra Rios Balderrama is Freelance Writer and Principal, RiosBalderrama Consulting Carla Hayden. I was hired as the first Diversity Officer for ALA in January of Outreach librarian and educator, Elayne ment and celebration of another’s work 1998 and immediately began work with Walstedter walked up the center aisle to and life. Lillian and then Administrative Assistant, the front of the hotel ballroom, turned The 2nd Spectrum Leadership Institute April Olinger. In 1998, the staff of the ALA around to face the long study tables. She had been officially and ceremoniously Office Human Resources and Recruitment spoke of her clan, her people, her uncle, closed in Oak Brook, Illinois. (Lorelle Swader, Dennis Ambrose, Maxine and she offered a corn blessing to the 50 On a cloudless day, the Tezkatlipka Moore, and Darlena Davis) helped with with corn pollen from her homeland. The Aztec Danzantes blessed the grounds with the processing of the first applications. first Spectrum Leadership Institute had copal, the drum, and a reminder that all Other ALA staff who were very involved been officially and ceremoniously opened people, all cultures—no matter the heritage in the beginning years were: Mary Ghikas, in New Orleans, Louisiana. or the color—have the drum. The teacher Gerald Holdges, Stuart Whitwell, Peggy Library Director, Jose Aponte, in his in blue feathers told the 50 people that they Barber, and Satia Orange. Gwendolyn business suit, howled out with a roar—a were about to obtain an educational degree Prellwitz joined the Office for Diversity as blues song from the depths of his memo- that could not be obtained in any class- Communications Officer in 2001 with her rial mine shaft. Although he had no mike, room, it would be a degree of and to the writing and web skills and helped imple- his voice and song had so much power “nth” power. The 3rd Spectrum Leadership ment a “New Era @ Your Library.” and volume—that a neighboring group Institute had been officially and ceremoni- Mutope A-Alkebu-Lan was the Chair of asked us to close our banquet room ously opened in San Jose, California. the first Leadership Institute. In the sec- doors. Aponte’s ground breaking session One by one until there were 50 ond year, Dr. Loriene Roy, Jose Aponte, on cultural leadership had been officially named—Library visionary and Spectrum KG Ouye, and Dr. Johnnie Love defined and ceremoniously opened. founder Elizabeth Martinez read and pro- the operating principles for future insti- A few of the 50 shared that they had nounced aloud each name while Library tutes: Deep Change, Spirit of Service, been asked by colleagues, co-workers, Civil and Human Rights leader Dr. EJ Josey Coalition Building, and Leadership or fellow students “Why are ‘you’ so spe- handed out each one of the 50 Certificates Development. cial? What makes ‘you’ so special? Why of Completion. The 4th Spectrum All Spectrum jury chairs and members did ‘you’ get the Spectrum award?” When Leadership Institute had been officially and honorably debated, discussed, argued and Administrative Assistant for Spectrum, ceremoniously closed in Atlanta, Georgia in selected with heart and head, with quanti- April Olinger, a young woman from 2002. And . . . it was my last. tative and qualitative analyses. Virginia who was then about eight months Phase 1 of implementation had come Teresa Neely. Khafre Abif. Carolyn pregnant, was thanked for her part in to an end. Lei-Lanilau. Ken Yamashita. Ismail working so hard to bring the institute It was about more than recruitment to Abdullahi. Zora Sampson. Mark Winston. together—all 50 the profession. Camille Hazeur. Paula Tsurutani. Ron His- stood up like a It was high context, cultural infusion, Horse-Is-Thunder. Camila Alire. Andrew powerful ocean inclusion, synergy, and transcendence Jackson. Mickey Ann Garcia. Bill Gordon. wave to give beyond one’s mental borders. Betty Tsai. Sarah Long. Betty Turock. her a standing It is how we said it, not what we said. Cornell Pewewardy. Arnulfo Trejo. ovation because It was about cultural infusion, not AP Marshall. Lotsee Patterson. Kelly she was, yes, conformity. Webster. Pamela Spencer. James Williams so very, very special. No envy. No whys. Few are the giants of the soul who actually feel that the Only collective human race is their family .—Freya Stark Jose Aponte acknowledge-

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II. Mengxiong Liu. Naimah Saluhaddin. Let the circle move like an amoeba— Rashidah Hakeem. Miguel Garcia-Colon. flowing, fitting itself into the crevices and “Spectrum has enabled me to move beyond my previous concep- Dr. Ching-chih Chen. Virginia McCurdy. sprawling out like a beautiful lake enlight- tions about librarianship. Through Spencer Shaw. Michael Miller. Roberto ened by the spectrum. communication and fellowship with Sarmiento. Mike Havener. Bill Imada. newly acquired mentors and scholar- Helen Zia. Luis Herrera. Greg Reese. Ling Spectrum—“What Makes ship colleagues, I am able to envision Hwey Jeng. Barbara Ford . . . There is a a career in which I can not only serve power in naming. I regret that my mind You So Special”? the community but also effect change is getting dusty. I recall many more faces and exercise direct influence on the Because every once and awhile the light, and remember their generosity of time world around me. Spectrum has made the angle, the turn of the earth, the phase and spirit in the early challenging and cel- the difference for me.” of the moon is just perfect for a story to ebratory years of Spectrum. ––Tracie Hall, begin, for change to occur, for the path 1998 Spectrum Scholar to be walked, for the corn pollen to be Let the Circle be Unbroken shared, for the song to be sun, and for the “I once was told that I did not fit the universal drum to be felt by heartbeat. typical librarian profile, now along- Let the circle get smaller as it sometimes The moment is offered and never again. side my colleagues and friends in the does. Some of the people named above You are special because you were called Spectrum family I am proud to be have left this earth but not our hearts. changing that image.” to be in the moment. No one participates Some people leave temporarily and ––Hector Escobar, Jr., in Spectrum without reason. Without you return. Others gave their appropriate 1999 Spectrum Scholar in the library and information profession, amount of time. there is no light. Without each and any of Let the circle get bigger as it should. “Spectrum made me realize that I was you, whether Spectrum Scholar, Spectrum not alone in my struggles; that there The Spectrum program grew tremendous- advisor, guest speaker, ALA staff member, were others who were committed to ly and vibrantly under the teamwork of Spectrum donor, or committee member, helping me realize my goal.” Tracie Hall and Gwendolyn Prellwitz and the spectrum would not be complete. ––Abike Eyo, ALL most recent jury members, institute It was an honor to walk the path with 2000 Spectrum Scholar planners, and Spectrum scholars. There is you for a moment in life. now a Ph.D program! “As a Spectrum Scholar I’m ready to Happy 10th Anniversary Spectrum! Let the circle pull and tug as it must. be the best I can be, to not forget Continued success to you! lv Change has occurred and will occur as where I came from, to provide service new generations shape it as they need to. to others, to encourage people of color to enter the profession, to pro- vide excellent service to our “gente” and to be a leader––not afraid to make mistakes and to learn from them.” ––Pete Villasenor, 2004 Spectrum Scholar

“We are fortunate to have been cho- sen as Spectrum Scholars. I know we have much to learn from the profes- sion and from one another.” ––Brenda Mitchell-Powell, 2006 Spectrum Scholar

Spectrum Scholar 10th SPECTRUMS Anniversary Luncheon th 10 ANNIVERSARY Sunday, June 24, 2007 11–1pm The Spectrum Scholarship Program turns 10 years old! Established in 1997, Spectrum—ALA’s national diversity and recruitment effort designed to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the profession—has awarded scholarships to more than 415 individuals. Join Spectrum scholars, Champions, and all who advocate for critically needed diversity in libraries at this reception to support Spectrum’s future and honor its legacy at a moving and uplifting event you won’t want to miss! $55

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The single most predictive indicator feature for choosing to enter a LIS program was prior experience working in a library. Seventy-six percent of the respondents had previously worked in paid positions Bridging Boundaries in libraries, with 20 percent working both before and after receiving undergraduate to Create a New Workforce degrees. Sixty-seven percent (111) of respon- dents were working in a library at A Survey of Spectrum Scholarship the time they applied for a Spectrum Scholarship, with the majority (80 per- Recipients, 1998–2003 cent) almost equally divided between aca- demic and public library settings. Whether Excerpts from the Executive Summary Prepared by in libraries or other fields, 95 percent of respondents were employed while pursing their MLIS degrees, with more than half Dr. Loriene Roy (57 percent) employed full-time. Respondents resided in thirty-eight Principal Investigator. For the Full Report visit: www.ala.org/spectrum states at the time they applied to LIS/ NCATE programs. Of those states, ten or In 2001, ALA’s Office for Diversity com- Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander. The more respondents were residing in the missioned a Longitudinal Study of the scholarship combines financial support following five states: California, Illinois, Spectrum Scholarship Program. A volun- with leadership development to fast-track Maryland, New York and Texas. Although tary survey was distributed in electronic scholars along their careers and profes- the majority (87 percent) of respondents and print formats in May 2004 to the first sional activities. Valued at over $6,500, indicated proximity to home as a key six Spectrum cohorts, years 1998 to 2003. the scholarship package includes a $5,000 factor in choosing programs, the average Of the 257 Spectrum Scholarship recipi- monetary award for expenses associated relocation distance was 1,000 miles. ents as of that date, 164 (or 64 percent) with obtaining a master’s degree or library Respondents attended forty-one dif- completed the eighty-nine question sur- media certification from an ALA-accred- ferent LIS programs. Factors associated vey. The Bridging Boundaries report rep- ited program or NCATE-accredited school with choosing LIS as a career included resents the first published survey on the library media certification program; free the potential ability to use their full range progress of ALA’s national diversity and student membership in ALA; free travel of talents (96 percent); the opportunity recruitment effort designed to address the and lodging to support attendance of to help others (95 percent)—including specific issue of under-representation of the Spectrum Leadership Institute fol- those from their own ethnic/racial back- critically needed ethnic librarians within lowing completion of the first year of grounds (79 percent); and enjoying past the profession. study; and free admission to ALA’s Annual library experiences (93 percent) as among Conference. Additionally, some library the most significant reasons for choos- schools and professional associations ing to enter library school. The perceived History have provided supplemental funding and marketability of LIS-related skills (83 per- In 1997 the governing body of the pre-professional development opportuni- cent) and familiarity with a librarian who American Library Association (ALA) ties for Spectrum Scholars. Throughout enjoyed his or her work (79 percent) also approved the expenditure of $1.35 mil- their scholarship year and beyond, the served as important motivators. lion toward the Spectrum Initiative, now Spectrum Scholars are provided with Forty-one percent of respondents known as the Spectrum Scholarship opportunities to network with other schol- were enrolled in a LIS/NCATE program Program, a groundbreaking effort to diver- arship recipients and library leaders via at the time they applied for the Spectrum sify the national library workforce. The electronic discussion lists and other pro- Scholarship. While some scholarships Spectrum Scholarship Program has been fessional development tools and activities. did support respondents already pursuing described as bold, far-reaching, and inno- the degree or certification, a greater vative—a rallying call to the profession as number of scholarships (59 percent) a whole. Key Findings Factors Related to Respondents Scholarship Overview LIS Education and Career Choices Never, never rest Applications for the Spectrum Scholarship More than half (57 percent) of respon- contented with any circle Program are accepted from individu- dents decided to enroll in a LIS program of ideas, but always be als from the Library and Information after completing an undergraduate Science field’s five most underrepresented degree. Eighteen percent made the deci- certain that a wider one groups: American Indian/Alaska Native, sion while still undergraduates. Fifteen is still possible. Asian, Black/African American or African percent enrolled in a LIS program after —Pearl Bailey Canadian, Hispanic/Latino, and Native completing another graduate program.

 january 2007 Versed aided in recruiting students into LIS archives, non-profit organizations, law tive answers to questions dealing with the programs. and corporate libraries, historical societ- Spectrum Scholarship Program. Respondents reported a high degree ies, and vendors. They were specifically asked to com- of satisfaction with many aspects of their Among those respondents employed ment on the most effective aspects of graduate programs. However, some were full or part-time, the most popular areas the program and suggest areas for future least satisfied with two environmental of responsibilities were: reference (42 improvement. features of student life: extra-curricular percent), library instruction (19 percent), Thirty-five percent of respondents experiences and diversity. Although diver- and administration (16 percent) and col- learned about Spectrum via ALA’s web sity was a major factor in only 54 percent lection development (14 percent). site and found it an effective market- of respondents’ decisions to attend a Respondents employed full-time ing tool. However, respondents also felt specific school—cost (85 percent) and reported an average income of $40,000- that traditional, grassroots, one-on-one program reputation (83 percent) ranking $49,000, well above the mean beginning recruiting efforts have proven effective. most highly—diversity, or lack thereof, salary of $38,918 for librarians nationally Suggestions for improving recruitment ranked highest (41 percent) as the ele- and comparable to the national average included targeting potential candidates ment of their LIS educational experience salary of $45,554 for librarians in non- at the undergraduate level; increased with which respondents were the least supervisory positions. Salary and benefits, presence at career fairs; and local and satisfied. the opportunity to develop new skills, national media advertisement. Twenty-three percent of respondents and the match between position and Respondents cited two major reported receiving some type of honor respondent skills/interests, ranked high- strengths of the Spectrum Scholarship while enrolled in their LIS/NCATE pro- est among factors affecting job choices. Program: funding and leadership training. gram. Fifteen percent (or 25) respondents Diversity was cited as a key consideration Respondents reported that the monetary reported being members of the Beta for 72 percent of respondents. award “helped ease the financial burden” Phi Mu International Library Science Involvement in a professional organiza- associated with pursuing an educational Honorary Society. Over half of respon- tion can prove instrumental in advancing degree and improved their quality of dents (69 percent) reported that they had one’s career. Librarianship is no excep- life. They also acknowledged that the received formal or informal mentoring. tion; therefore, the respondents were Spectrum Scholarship Program equipped The four most cited mentoring sources asked to provide information on their pro- them with the networking and leadership were library practitioners, faculty advi- fessional affiliations as students and grad- skills necessary to succeed in librarian- sors, professors or course instructors, uates. After their initial free student mem- ship. Twenty-nine percent attested that and co-workers. Twenty-eight percent of bership in ALA, 68 percent of respondents they would not have pursued their edu- respondents participated in residency or renewed and held active memberships in cation without a Spectrum Scholarship. internship programs while students. the Association. Thirty-seven percent held Seventy-four percent of respondents Respondents’ mean time to comple- additional division memberships, and 22 found the distinction of being a Spectrum tion of the MLIS or NCATE program percent were members of one or more Scholar beneficial in seeking employment was around two years (24 months). Of ALA roundtable. opportunities. those completing programs more than 46 While there was a somewhat high In addition to the psychological ben- percent (or 55) indicated that they were level of professional involvement among efits of improved self-esteem, pride and highly or somewhat interested in pursuing respondents, there was a significant greater personal and professional confi- a Ph.D. difference in respondents’ mentoring dence, respondents expressed that being experiences during and after graduation. a Spectrum Scholar made a tremendous Excelling at work and Only 12 percent of respondents reported impact on their careers. Some felt that participating in or receiving any type of being a Spectrum Scholar put them pro- professional activities post-graduation mentoring through their fessionally ahead of their peers by at least institutions or professional organizations. five years, while others simply stated that The vast majority of Spectrum Scholar The primary reason cited was lack of the Spectrum name alone opened doors respondents (85 percent) were currently knowledge about mentoring programs. which might have been closed to them employed full-time in a library setting, otherwise. v with 39 percent holding positions in aca- l demic libraries and 37 percent in public Thoughts about the Spectrum libraries. Slightly more than 11 percent Scholarship Program of respondents worked in school librar- ies, with the remainder divided among Throughout the survey respondents were medical and state/governmental libraries, given the opportunity to provide narra-

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diversity toolchest library and its resources were featured in Registro, the newspaper for the area’s Spanish-speaking population, as well as the Waterbury Republican, in response to the library’s news release regarding the Training, Tools, and Resources for expansion of their resources for Spanish speakers. Library staff attended an out- Reaching Out to Spanish Speakers reach program of a local organization serving Spanish speakers, La Via Latina, Laura Staley to showcase the library’s resources, sign up individuals for library cards, and pro- Laura Staley is the Project Coordinator for WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program. moted the availability of Spanish-speaking librarians on InfoAnytime. Future plans include a musical series celebrating ethnic Program Background diversity and a bi-lingual story time. WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach cess of the pilot, the Bill & Melinda Gates Broward County Library/Stirling Road Program helps equip local library staff Foundation provided funding to expand Branch, Broward County, Florida with knowledge and resources to reach the program to forty-one additional states. After participating in the Spanish out to Spanish speakers in their communi- WebJunction is currently partnering Language Outreach Program, Miriam ties and increase their access to technol- with state libraries to make the Spanish Kallett of the Stirling Road Branch of ogy provided by the libraries. To date Language Outreach Program avail- Broward County Library, utilized the the program’s workshops have trained able across the country between 2006 and workshop’s Community Leader Interview over 1700 library staff members in twelve 2008. Eight states participated in 2006: Guide to interview local community states about proven marketing techniques, Washington, Nevada, California, Georgia, leaders in the Spanish-speaking commu- understanding cultural differences, provid- Minnesota, New Jersey, Connecticut, and nity. The Stirling Road Branch noticed a ing technology training, and partnering Rhode Island. Eleven states are currently dramatic increase in attendance at their with local community organizations serv- participating in the program: Arkansas, Spanish computer classes. Local leaders ing Spanish speakers. Arizona, Delaware, D.C., Indiana, Ohio, serving Spanish speakers helped get the The program begins with a three-day Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, Virginia, word out about the resources the library Training Institute during which train- and Wyoming. In 2007, an additional offers. Spanish computer classes at the ers hired by participating state libraries twenty-two states are scheduled to take library increased from six students per become familiar with the program’s cur- part in the program. class to twenty-five per class. Miriam riculum. Following the Institute, trainers reports, “Reaching out to the community utilize the curriculum to deliver work- takes time, but produces eventual results!” shops in their states. The library staff par- Case Studies ticipating in local workshops learn how Participating libraries are putting resourc- to develop an outreach action plan based es and ideas presented in the Spanish Resources on the curriculum and suggested outreach Language Outreach Workshops into In addition to providing on the ground activities presented in the workshop, and action. Here are two examples of the out- workshops, WebJunction is fostering an are asked to make a commitment to imple- reach activities participating libraries are online community of interest made up menting three outreach activities during implementing. Additional case studies are of library staff committed to serving the the five months following the workshop. available on WebJunction. needs of Spanish speakers. There is an With funding from the Bill & Melinda active set of discussion boards for sharing Gates Foundation, WebJunction began Torrington Library, ideas and resources among and a growing work on a collaborative pilot of the Torrington, Connecticut collection of best practices, case studies, Spanish Language Outreach Program “The workshop we attended was really and resources on WebJunction. in August of 2004 with the state librar- a catalyst to expanding our resources In March 2006, WebJunction launched ies of New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, for this segment of the community,” a free, online course based on the pro- and Florida. Trainers from these states said Karen Worrall, Director, Torrington gram’s curriculum. The course is designed conducted 37 workshops and trained Library. Since attending a Spanish to reach library staff unable to attend an 482 library staff members. Evaluation Language Outreach workshop this sum- in-person workshop or those who would results of the pilot demonstrated that mer, Torrington Library in Connecticut has like an additional opportunity to review the pilot’s workshops and trainers were expanded their Spanish language print col- key curriculum concepts. In addition, the having a positive impact and were reach- lection from a handful of large print titles program recently launched a series of one ing the goals of the program. Workshop to over sixty new titles of both fiction hour, monthly webinars focused on best participants reported increased knowl- and non-fiction including the periodicals practices in serving Spanish speakers. edge and skills for working with Spanish “Hispanic” and “Latina.” The library also speakers as well as gains in developing borrowed Spanish language audio books community partnerships and implement- from the Middletown Library Service ing outreach activities. Based on the suc- Center to supplement their collection. The continued on following page

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exactly the same. They serve different diversity toolchest communities, have varying budgets, meet- ing spaces, and hours. What may work for a small rural library may not work so well in a larger urban location. These recipes, Ocean County Library’s however, provide the framework for suc- cessful programs. The large library can take the basic elements of a program held Diversity Knowledge Database by its smaller counterpart and tweak them to work within their system, or vice versa. Add Flavor to Your Diversity Programs The value of this diversity program- ming tool will increase the more entries there are. . . so please add your library’s Rita Post successful diversity programs and let us know if you find the database useful! Rita Post is a Senior Librarian for the Ocean County Library System. Whether you are a librarian with years of programming experience or are Have you ever had a diversity program Each limiter can be used on its own or brand new to the field and still learning that was just too good not to share, or in conjunction with any of the other limit- the ropes, the Ocean County Library’s needed inspiration for some diversity pro- ers. For instance, you may want to view a Diversity Program Database will be a valu- gramming ideas? Have you ever wished list of all children’s programs regardless able tool for creating diversity programs there was a place to go to find out what of target community, difficulty, and prep for all members of the community. other libraries were doing in the area of time. Or, you may be pressed for time and For more information regarding the diversity programming? need a children’s program about African Diversity Program Database contact: Chances are, if your job description American history that can be completed in Rita Post, Project Coordinator at includes the word ‘programming,” you the least amount of time. [email protected] or may have found yourself in all of these Valerie Bell, Chief Librarian, situations at one time or another. Branch Services at bell_v@oceancounty To whip up a successful diversity Librarians Can Also Add .lib.nj.us lv program, the Ocean County Library has Their Own Recipes implemented a diversity program data- base, available online at http://ocean Entries may include all types of programs, countylibrary.org/cookbook/index.asp. from the simplest program that can be put This database is a tool designed for use together in a matter of weeks to elaborate whether you have a program worth brag- events that require months of preparation. ging about or need a fresh idea for diver- The entry form is easy to navigate and sity programs. multiple pull down menus make extra typ- The database is browsable. The user ing unnecessary. can browse through each entry to get a The online diversity programming data- Versed needs broad idea of what other librarians are base follows a cookbook theme. Like a doing. It is also searchable and results can recipe, programs are broken down to their your feedback! be limited to “Target Community,” “Age simplest ingredients. Simple directions are Group,” “Difficulty,” or “Prep Time.” given on how to prepare each program. Please visit us at Target Communities can include A target community and age group are www.ala.org/versed African American/Black, Asian/Pacific included, to determine the population that . Islander, Differently Abled, Gay/Lesbian/ your recipe is intended to serve. Recipes Bisexual/Transgendered, Hispanic/Latino, are also given a difficulty level ranging Multiracial/Interracial, Other, Religious from fast food to gourmet, along with an Diversity, Women, and Staff. estimated prep time. Age Groups include children, teen, The recipe format lends itself to modi- adult, family, senior, and academic. fication as well since no two libraries are

training contined from previous page

Another exciting recent addition to text and download the audio files for a Spanish Language Outreach Program, con- the WebJunction’s resources is the writ- 55 minute course that teaches key terms tact Laura Staley, Project Coordinator at ten materials and audio files used in and phrases to better communicate with [email protected] or 206.273.7531, or visit Infopeople’s Survival Spanish for Library Spanish-speaking patrons. www.webjunction.org/Spanish. lv Staff course. Learners can print out the For more information about the

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Chapters one through six are an booklook excellent theoretical overview of dis- abled services and why we need them in higher education. Chapter eight through twelve are a thoughtful, well written, well researched “how-to” about how to do a Improving the Quality library survey for a specific single popu- lation. Hernon and Calvert use chapter of Library Services seven to tie together the first six chapters to the last five chapters. While that chap- ter alone is well written, nonetheless, the for Students with Disabilities difference in tone and outlook between the first half of the book and the last half Review by Scott Sheidlower is so jarring as to cause this reviewer to wonder why they didn’t write two books. Scott Sheidlower is Assistant Professor and Head of Information Literacy at York College Library. One book on the challenges of serving the disabled in libraries and how libraries are meeting or not meeting those challenges Improving the Quality of Library an overview of library services for the and another book on how to survey spe- Services for Students with Disabilities. disabled in both the United States and in cial populations in libraries. Hernon, P., & Calvert, P. (Ed.). Westport, New Zealand. In spite of this flaw, this book contains CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2006. xii + 232 In chapter seven Peter Hernon pres- some treats that should be highlighted pp. $45.00. ISBN: 1-59158-300-4. ents a literature review about services for the reader. Jennifer Lann, director of for the disabled as well as about service Library Services at Landmark College has Peter Hernon, Professor at Simmons quality assessment surveys in libraries, written an excellent section about dealing School of Information and Library such as SERVQUAL and LibQUAL+™. with students who have learning disabili- Science in Boston, has spent several Chapters eight through eleven explain ties, Kathleen Rogers, General Counsel years teaching at Victoria University how they did a service quality assess- for Simmons College has contributed a of Wellington in New Zealand. Philip ment of disabled students at the library useful overview of American laws related Calvert is a senior lecturer at Victoria at Victoria University of Wellington. to disabled access, and Ava Gibson, man- University of Wellington’s School of The chapters detail how the survey was ager of Disability Support Services at Information Management. Together they designed, how the survey was tested, how Victoria University of Wellington has con- edited Improving the Quality of Library it was administered, and how its find- tributed a chapter which gives insight into Services for Students with Disabilities. ings were ultimately presented and used. how disabled students are treated in at While individually the twelve chapters These chapters also explain to the reader least one institution of Higher Learning in of this book are excellent, together they how they can create their own survey New Zealand. Notwithstanding the book’s make for an uneven whole. Chapters one for their own institution and administer unevenness, Hernon and Calvert have through six set forth the reason(s) aca- it. Finally, in chapter twelve Hernon and done the field a true service by putting demia must care about the disabled, what Calvert explain how to use such surveys together a book that looks at how we, as are academia’s national and international to improve and to consistently improve librarians, serve the disabled and how can legal responsibilities to the disabled, and library services for the disabled. we do better. lv

celebrating contined from page 1 to plan the various cultural events associ- this information to construct a timeline South Africa (August), the Kentucky ated with “my” ALA Midwinter Meeting of anniversary events coinciding with Library Association (September), the in Philadelphia in January 2008 and ALA my ALA Presidential year, June 27, 2007 Midcontinental Chapter and Greater Annual Conference in Anaheim in June through July 2, 2008. Midwest Chapter of the Medical Library 2008. June 2007 will be the tenth year I hope to see many of you over the Association in Nebraska (October), the anniversary of the first visit by members next two and a half years. My 2007 sched- Third National Conference on Tribal of Te Ropu Whakahau and ATSILIRN (the ule includes travels to the ALA Midwinter Libraries, Archives and Museums Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders Meeting in Seattle (January), the Miami (October), the Colorado Association of Library Information Resource Network) University Libraries (February), the Libraries (November), and the California to ALA. We hope to celebrate this and National Center for Family Literacy in Library Association (November). You other anniversary events. You may con- Orlando (March), the University of Rhode can monitor some of the discussion at tribute information about anniversary Island GSLIS (March), the Texas Library http://lorieneroy.blogspot.com/ and on my events occurring in your libraries via our Association (April), the Tennessee Library ALA President-Elect web site. I welcome online events form linked from my ALA Association (April), the Canada Library hearing from you. Feel free to email me at President-Elect web site. We will use Association (May), IFLA in Durban, [email protected]. lv

12 january 2007