Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

On February 15, 2023, Dr. Chris Roberts, President of Auburn University, hosted an Auburn University United Way Campaign Coordinator "Thank You" reception. Shade Aladebumoye (second from right) served as the Libraries’ campaign coordinator in 2023. The 2023 AU campaign raised $124,039 in pledges from 860 employees!

On December 9, 2022, AU Libraries participation in the annual City of Auburn Toy Drive was a huge success. The library elves took delivery of our haul to the Auburn fire station.

Photos Link:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/aulibraries/albums/72177720304328125

On December 2, 2022 , The Inclusive Excellence Programming Fund Review Committee awarded the libraries a $2,000 grant, with AUL providing a matching $2,000. The grant is in support of the AUL Undergraduate Leadership Fellow Program. From the award, “The Office of Inclusion and Diversity wishes you the best with your program, and we are certain it will have an important impact on our community. We appreciate the time, effort, and talent you contributed to your application and the subsequent efforts that will occur afterwards. I am excited to remain supportive of this effort in any way in the coming months.”

On January 16, 2023, AU Libraries sponsored a table at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast *for the library faculty and staff to attend as part of its ongoing efforts to promote DEI within the Libraries and the University. The scholarship breakfast was the kickoff to Auburn’s 2023 MLK Week, a series of events designed to celebrate and learn about the life of King and his fight for civil rights. The scholarship breakfast was led by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators—East Alabama Chapter, in collaboration with Auburn University’s Office of University Outreach and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, or OID. *Collins Rudolph, known as “the fifth little girl,” was the featured panelist at this year’s breakfast during Auburn’s MLK Week celebrations. Approximately 180 people attended in person for the first time since 2020 to celebrate King's life and legacy.

The 3rd Creative Explorations by Auburn University Libraries *ended successfully on * November 16th, 2022 as part of our re-occurring K-12 outreach program with local middle schools. Sessions lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brenda and Margaret initiated the collaboration and partnership with the school media specialist and the principal. Twenty-one Notasulga school students actively participated in the program coordinated by Madhu Nadar. Chelsy and Jonah the dynamic duo presented the Adobe express and 3D designing sessions. The school has just bought a new 3D printer and the students will get to print what they designed in the session. Piper and Abigail engaged the students with activities to think critically when researching for information. Jesse and Dylan provided the students the opportunity to take apart and put together a computer? Yes! The students were equal to the task and did it very efficiently. Greg, Kasia, Tommy, Joanna and Jennifer reported to assist in quite an interesting hands-on session. Huge shout out to Daffny, Emily, Jayson and Chris Miller! They were the pillars that ensured the success of the event by being there throughout the day. Shade, Janet and Piper efficiently assisted during lunch.

Photo Link:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/aulibraries/albums/72177720303796264

On July 19th, 2022 ,  Auburn University Libraries hosted Dr. Clara Chu, the Director and Mortenson Distinguished Professor at the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Thirty-seven library employees attended Dr. Chu’s presentation, entitled  "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Effecting Change – What Can I Do?". A recording of the presentation was sent to an additional 17 employees. Feedback from participants asked for future presentations to: (a) focus on DEI in different areas rather than the library as a whole, (b) provide a broader focus rather than just racial/cultural issues, and (c) include more engaging/action-oriented training sessions.

Photos Link:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/9507570@N05/albums/72177720303429842/with/52478099858/ 

DEI Committee Working Groups met recently for a photo.