Diversity, equity and inclusion
Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA)
K-State Libraries are for everyone and we welcome all to use our services and spaces.
Our faculty and staff care about our users. We are committed in our efforts to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and social justice initiatives and demonstrate our support in our daily actions.
Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies
First established in 1972 as the Minorities Resource/Research Center, it was one of the first centers of its kind in an academic library. Now located on the second floor of Hale Library, the Center supports library acquisitions and professional development. The Center also provides financial support for multicultural programming to K-State groups or organizations.
Accessibility
K-State Libraries and Information Technology Services offer accessibility services, software and equipment to ensure that all library users have equal access to the Libraries' resources and facilities.
Library spaces
Library spaces have the ability to welcome, support, comfort and inspire. Our libraries are open to everyone including the general public. We will continue to examine how our spaces can better support these efforts.
Our recent renovation of Hale Library includes several additions that support DEIA including:
- New meditation room and Wudu foot bath
- 6 family restrooms: all-gender with changing tables and handicap accessible
- Lactation room for public
- Beautiful new space for the Dow Center on the second floor
- Restoration of the We Are the Dream mural
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Action Plan Working Group
In 2020, the Dean of Libraries created and charged the IDEA Action Plan Working Group. The group will focus on Libraries services, programming, collections and space. The final action plan will be shared here.
Diversity committee
The Diversity Committee primarily has an internal focus with an ongoing, active role in increasing awareness and sensitivity among staff and recommending policies and practices that embed diversity and inclusion into all relevant staff programs, library services and activities.
Programming and events
Libraries are ideal spaces to bring people together to learn about various cultures, engage in difficult conversations, explore history and think critically about the world. We also support programming that explores these topics outside of the library setting. We continue to seek thoughtful and engaging programming for our community.
Examples of past support and programming:
- Muslim Journeys programming
- The Remnant Trust programming
- Viewpoint Lecture Series: including topics on immigration, violence against trans women of color and health disparities
- Annual sponsorships of Indigenous Peoples Day, K-State common reading program, KSUnite, K-State Drag Show, Little Apple Pride, International Food Festival and more.
Our collections and people
The Libraries support professional development for staff including training for Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Safe Zone training and attendance at events like the annual MLK Presidential Lecture. Additionally, we recognize the importance of aligning our library collections with the values and practices of DEIA. We continuously evaluate our collecting practices to examine where we can do more to support DEIA values.
We have digitized historical materials from underrepresented groups at K-State, preserving them and making them accessible to everyone online. The new Butler Digitization Lab will allow us to continue these efforts.
Collections available online:
Patron privacy
A user’s right to privacy is a core belief of libraries. K-State Libraries never keeps records of our patrons’ activities including computer use or materials they have checked out.