Abstract
The Medical Library Association (MLA) appointed a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (DITF) in 2017. Sandra G. Franklin, AHIP, FMLA, chaired the task force and guided initiatives. From 2017 to 2020, the task force completed a review of MLA defining documents—including the mission, vision, values, and code of ethics—resulting in language updates to these documents. As MLA transitioned through the communities process, the DITF contributed to the transition. Other recommended essential changes to MLA profiles to promote awareness included updating pronouns to promote gender inclusivity and suggestions for the Annual Meeting Innovation Task Force. DITF members actively brought diversity and inclusion programming and engagement to MLA members at annual meetings. The task force held a fish bowl conversation, an open forum, and a Diversity Dialogues roundtable discussion; provided interactive discussion boards; and designed an MLA diversity button. Beyond MLA annual meetings, the task force hosted two critical librarianship meetings and a Twitter chat to engage MLA members with diversity and inclusion topics. Task force members promoted diversity and inclusion beyond their task force appointments with presentations at chapter meetings and other non-DITF MLA annual meeting programming. A notable task force accomplishment included completing a survey of MLA members to gather baseline demographic characteristics, including never before collected data about disability, socioeconomics, and caregiver status. This report provides an overview of DITF activities from 2017 to 2020.
Highlights
The call for applicants was shared with existing Medical Library Association (MLA) entities such as committees, sections, and special interest groups (SIGs)
The open invitation to join the newly created Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (DITF) required applicants to describe in 100 words or less 3 of the most important reasons they wanted to participate in the task force
MLA organizational structure and leadership: creating a disability caucus, checking whether the MLA website complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, creating a DEI statement, ensuring diverse representation of leadership, conducting LGBTQIA+ Safe Zone Project training for all leaders, and providing more remote engagement opportunities because many members cannot afford to attend meetings
Summary
To initiate open dialogue before the DITF’s inaugural meeting, each member was asked to address the discussion prompt “My idea for diversity and inclusion for MLA is...” (Table 1). 3. MLA organizational structure and leadership: creating a disability caucus, checking whether the MLA website complies with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, creating a DEI statement, ensuring diverse representation of leadership, conducting LGBTQIA+ Safe Zone Project training for all leaders, and providing more remote engagement opportunities because many members cannot afford to attend meetings. Almader-Douglas’s poster provided an overview of the formation of the DITF and how efforts of diversity and inclusion fit in the MLA strategic plan, along with the goals and objectives of the task force. An International Collaboration: Team-Based Informationist and Physician Instruction in Ghana
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