The driving goal of the Dean’s Council for Equity and Inclusion (DCEI) is to promote social justice within and through Dartmouth Library. We commit to embracing diverse perspectives and being attentive to power disparities, especially as they affect Library employees and the Dartmouth community. This requires actively and intentionally countering societal inequities and systems of oppression, including but not limited to racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, sexism, White supremacy, fatphobia, religious discrimination, xenophobia, and ableism. In counteracting those processes of marginalization, the DCEI commits to building an inclusive, equitable, welcoming, and just community. As education without action will be frustrating and action without education will be ineffective or harmful, the DCEI strives to combine the two.
The DCEI is an advising body that exists within the broader structures of the Library and Dartmouth as a whole and recognizes the diverse array of people and groups working towards change. We propose policies and programs to the Dean of Libraries and the Library Leadership Team. We support Dartmouth Library employees in making their work equitable and inclusive to people of all identities; we promote education and training for new and existing staff members. We examine physical spaces, collections, policies, and processes with an eye towards social justice. We facilitate conversations with library stakeholders and serve as a sounding board and ally for community members with ideas to improve the Library or to address current and past injustices. We advocate for positive change throughout the Library.
The DCEI’s work is integral to all units within the Dartmouth Library, and therefore needs members from throughout the organization. The specific membership cycles and commitments for each Library unit are detailed in the Membership Representation List. DCEI also welcomes any additional interested staff to serve as members.
The Dartmouth Library EDI Reading Group, started in 2020, is a space to engage with materials on various themes related to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the context of library work. The purpose of this group is to encourage learning and discussion on these topics. The group meets once a month and is open to all employees of the library and the Hood Museum.
For more information, see the full description and group norms and the list of past readings.
The Dean's Council Speaker Series had its first speaker on July 13th. Krista McCracken (they/them) presented to library staff on Trans and Gender Diverse Identities in Libraries. A recording of the session, the slides, and a document listing resources that were mentioned during the session are available through this link (accessible only to library staff).
Information about future speakers will be added here as it becomes available.
If you would like to bring an issue relating to equity, diversity, or inclusion to our attention, please contact us through email or our anonymous feedback form.
Email: library.dean's.council.for.equity.and.inclusion@dartmouth.edu
DCEI Members 2023