The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee was formed in July 2020 as part of Tulane Libraries strategic planning efforts. The committee kicked off by implementing a climate survey, which informed the charge, actions, and recommendations it charted through 2022.
The EDI Committee works to develop and promote a diverse work force; to identify and remove barriers to a more inclusive and equitable organizational culture; to examine Library policies, practices, programming, and services critically and productively, recommending alternatives where applicable; and to partner with appropriate campus groups to both promote and support EDI and address anti-racism at Tulane.
In concert with other committees and groups (e.g., Library Department, TULSA, and Library and University HR), the EDI Committee helps educate and support Library staff in developing a shared understanding that creating a welcoming and inclusive community is everyone’s responsibility. No one person or committee can be responsible for promoting EDI in the workplace. This responsibility belongs to all of us as members of Tulane University Libraries.
- The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is made of up both staff and librarians at the Tulane University Libraries.
- The Committee develops and participates in programs, exhibits, materials, and other forms of outreach that engage both library staff and the broader Tulane community in deepening their understanding of EDI issues.
- The Committee works with others to promote cultural competency development opportunities.
- The Committee works with Library and campus offices to identify systems and structures that may impede EDI efforts, and to identify potential EDI needs and projects.
- The Committee acknowledges that EDI work can at times be uncomfortable. A foundational assumption is that all members participate to learn and commit to help one another and all colleagues in the learning process.
The committee membership consists of:
- 2 Chairs
- 6 members from the librarian and staff rank
Members will serve a two-year term.
The committee's membership does not necessarily include, nor is it required to be a trained EDI professional. As we are all learning and have an interest in forwarding our cause, we defer to trained professionals regarding issues that we are not experts in.
Current roster (updated Fall, 2024):
Chairs:
- Erin Kinchen-Addicks, University Archives Library Associate, Special Collections
- Rawad Nahhas, Public Relations Specialist
- Created and distributed a community support services and resources list in response to new laws and court decisions that impact valued members of the Tulane community (2023)
- Committee members attended the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) conference in New Orleans and provided highlights to the library during a lunch and learn (2023)
- Organized SOAR Tours of Truth for library workers (2023)
- Designed and distributed a preferred pronouns poster (2022)
- Coordinated the creation of a Library Hiring and Recruitment Task Force (2021-22)
- Collaborated with the Professional Development Committee to devise a series highlighting EDI-focused work already underway across Tulane University Libraries (2021-22)
- Organized all-staff events in collaboration with the Dean of Tulane University Libraries (Spring-Summer 2021)
- Screening, filmmaker interview, and discussion of Raven Ancar’s documentary, The Veil, about Black students’ experiences at Tulane University
- Facilitated discussion and assessment of workplace culture led by Elaina Norlin, the Professional Development DEI Coordinator for the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries
- Presentation by Petey Peterson, Director of the Office for Gender and Sexual Diversity at Tulane University
- Presentation by Patrick Randoph, Director of the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility at Tulane University
- Presentation by Satyajit Dattagupta, Tulane’s Senior Vice President and Dean of Admission for Enrollment Management and Graduate and Pre-College Strategy
- Released committee charge, action plan, and recommendations for 2021-22 in response to employee feedback (2021)
- Developed and implemented climate survey (2020)
To find out more about the EDI Committee’s ongoing activities; discuss collaboration; or offer suggestions to make Tulane Libraries’ spaces and services more inclusive and equitable, please contact any committee member (listed above).