Bridging Gaps: Assessing Diversity Initiatives in GLAMs – a DLF Inquiry
Title
Bridging Gaps: Assessing Diversity Initiatives in GLAMs – a DLF Inquiry
Description
The Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) Diversity Subgroup of the Library Federation Committee on Equity and Inclusion (DLF CEI) conducted an online survey in spring 2022 on the diversity and inclusion efforts of GLAM organizations. The survey aimed to conduct an environmental scan and discover patterns in these organizations’ diversity and inclusion activities and practices, providing useful insights and recommendations for the community.
A survey with 29 questions and sub-questions was broadly distributed, addressing a series of topics related to diversity and inclusion activities at GLAM organizations and their larger institutions. 279 individuals initially responded to the survey, with 224 completing it. Quantitative data from the survey responses was analyzed, and qualitative data from open-ended comments were double-coded, normalized, and analyzed by the Subgroup members. The analysis revealed significant findings, covering engagement with diversity and inclusion activities, sources of funding, decision-making processes, and perspectives on and leadership support for related initiatives.
Highlighted findings include that 1) GLAMs and their parent organizations were perceived as engaging in a limited set of diversity and inclusion activities, specifically “Collection highlights,” “Public events or programs,” and “Optional employee training/professional development” and 2) respondents in leadership roles had more positive perceptions of how diversity programs were communicated and the level of support they received. A set of recommendations was developed by the Subgroup for the community, including increased transparency from leadership and the expansion and assessment of diversity and inclusion efforts.
This poster will introduce the survey background, the group's collaborative effort in creating the list of questions, the responses and their quantitative and qualitative analysis, including rich graphic presentations of charts and tables, the project findings, and recommendations. Future areas of research will also be identified.
This poster is presented at the 2024 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Poster Session.
A survey with 29 questions and sub-questions was broadly distributed, addressing a series of topics related to diversity and inclusion activities at GLAM organizations and their larger institutions. 279 individuals initially responded to the survey, with 224 completing it. Quantitative data from the survey responses was analyzed, and qualitative data from open-ended comments were double-coded, normalized, and analyzed by the Subgroup members. The analysis revealed significant findings, covering engagement with diversity and inclusion activities, sources of funding, decision-making processes, and perspectives on and leadership support for related initiatives.
Highlighted findings include that 1) GLAMs and their parent organizations were perceived as engaging in a limited set of diversity and inclusion activities, specifically “Collection highlights,” “Public events or programs,” and “Optional employee training/professional development” and 2) respondents in leadership roles had more positive perceptions of how diversity programs were communicated and the level of support they received. A set of recommendations was developed by the Subgroup for the community, including increased transparency from leadership and the expansion and assessment of diversity and inclusion efforts.
This poster will introduce the survey background, the group's collaborative effort in creating the list of questions, the responses and their quantitative and qualitative analysis, including rich graphic presentations of charts and tables, the project findings, and recommendations. Future areas of research will also be identified.
This poster is presented at the 2024 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Poster Session.
Creator
Ho, Jeannette A.
Schiff, Lisa
Deng, Sai (Sai Sophie)
Publisher
American Library Association
Relation
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8433043
Format
application/pdf
Language
eng
Type
Poster; Text
Bibliographic Citation
Ho, J., Schiff, L. & Deng, S. (2024). Bridging gaps: assessing diversity initiatives in GLAMs – a DLF inquiry. 2024 ALA Annual poster session, June 2024, San Diego, CA. Retrieved from: https://ir.cala-web.org/items/show/1431
Position: 504 (376 views)
Files
Collection
Citation
Ho, Jeannette A., Schiff, Lisa, and Deng, Sai (Sai Sophie), “Bridging Gaps: Assessing Diversity Initiatives in GLAMs – a DLF Inquiry,” CALASYS - CALA Academic Resources & Repository System, accessed April 23, 2026, http://ir.cala-web.org/items/show/1431.