Hi All!
I am asking for the help of my colleagues to compile data about the content of our collections.
The link below asks for us to look at our collections and document how we have actively responded to broadening our collection community. This survey has been a year in the making. I worked carefully with people from all areas of community.
Please do the best that you can to estimate your holdings that are reflective of material from typically underserved communities. My hope is that this, like the wonderful work done by ACensus, continues to push the larger collection of data, in order, to examine trends in our field. By gaining an understanding of the quantification of our material for communities that have been often overlooked in the history books, we will better understand where we are with regard to the inclusivity of our collections. This may not be an analysis of quality, but it is a study to look at what we are caring for within our profession.
As a preparation for taking the survey, you will be asked for an estimation of linear feet for collections that are dominant in underserved community material. You will also be asked about your efforts for community outreach and DEIA policies. Definitions within the constraints of the survey are spelled out with plenty of opportunity to comment on those definitions.
I welcome the discussion that will come from this. I will publish the results without institution specific identification. The goal is to look at the broader collection numbers in our field.
I thank Helen Wong Smith and the SAA Board for reviewing this as well as Dr. Meredith Evans for working through the tough questions, in order, to develop this instrument.
Efforts to complete this are much appreciated!
Due Date: August 30, 2024.
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Kim Schroeder
Associate Professor of Teaching
Wayne State University
Detroit MI
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