The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee will assist the library in creating an equitable and diverse environment by working with library employees and collaborating with campus partners to explore and develop the collection, programming, professional development, services, and additional content for the university community.
Current Members:
V. Dozier (Co-Chair)
Regina Gong (Co-Chair)
Founding Members:
Alejandra Nann (Chair; 2020 - 2021)
Angela Perine (Member; 2020 - 2021)
Catherine Paolillo (Member; 2020 - 2023)
Copley Library Statement Against Racism
March 2021
Copley Library acknowledges the existence of and condemns all events of racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and hate endangering the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our local and global communities or here at USD. Most recently, the murders of Asian women and others in Atlanta, Georgia as well as the increasing number of anti-AAPI attacks in California and nationwide disheartens us and reaffirms our commitment to eradicating racism and other systemic oppressive structures. We agree and support the statements sent out by others on campus including, but not limited to: Black Faculty Statement, Black Student Resource Commons, and a variety of faculty across schools.
Copley Library’s mission is to serve all students, staff, and faculty regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, or gender expression. Copley Library is a welcoming and safe haven for all on campus and a place that provides care for our community. We are committed to educating and supporting the university community by creating a designated DEIA resources budget in order to have a more robust DEIA collection, updating the DEIA LibGuide with news and events, using the library digital and physical space to celebrate diversity, invite speakers to discuss issues related to DEIA, among other actionable ideas to keep ourselves accountable. Below are a collection of resources and statements developed by library organizations:
● Fighting Anti-Asian Racism: Tools for Libraries - Intellectual Freedom Blog
● 2021 APALA COVID-19 Resources
As we work toward our goals, the DEIA LibGuide will serve as a dynamic public record of our accountability and commitment towards creating a more inclusive environment and collection for students, staff, and faculty.
Signatories:
Martha Adkins, Amy Besnoy, Hugh Burkhart, Theresa Byrd, Kathleen Dang, Jasmin de Unamuno, V. Dozier, Michael Epstein, Cindy Espineli, Millicent Fullmer, Leslie Hovland, Karla Kalin, Jordan Kobayashi, Diane Maher, Amanda Makula, Christopher Marcum, Alejandra Nann, Karen O'Grady, Catherine Paolillo, Marguerite Peoples, Angela Perine, Adam Rickey, Steven Staninger, Laura Turner, Julie Wright
Statement was developed in March 2021 by the Copley Library Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee (Alejandra Nann, V. Dozier, Jordan Kobayashi, Catherine Paolillo, and Angela Perine).