As AALL and RIPS committee work ramps up again this fall, the RIPS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force is off and running. Not familiar with the Task Force? Let me get you up to speed.
Formed in the Spring of 2021, the RIPS DEI Task Force was charged with looking at where RIPS DEI efforts were and proposing where these efforts would be best focused in the future. Additionally, the group turned its attention to the RIPS Antiracism, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Social Justice Resources webpage, reviewing current content and planning how best to build and organize the collection.
During its first year, the Task Force accomplished much, including:
- Looked at DEI initiative from other AALL groups
- Drafted and sent out surveys to RIPS leadership and committees
- Examined RIPS existing DEI efforts
- Made recommendations for the 2022-2023 Task Force List
The Task Force continues to move forward this year, under Chair Taryn Marks. Areas the group hopes to work on this year include analyzing and reporting out the survey results from the summer, reviewing the RIPS bylaws through a DEI lens, hosting a workshop on best practices to incorporate DEI into committee work and spreading the word about the Task Force and its work to the entire RIPS community (so, that is why you are seeing this blog post!).
As the Task Force continues to build the RIPS Antiracism, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Social Justice Resources webpage, please share any suggestions for DEI related resources such as LibGuides your library may have on the topic or any other resources which would strengthen this collection. Your contributions will make this resources the best it can be. The Task Force would also welcome suggestions or recommendations related to its goals for this year (including offers of help!).
Want to learn more about the RIPS DEI Task Force? Reach out to the Task Force Chair, Taryn Marks.