Strategies for Diversity Initiatives

In the state of Nebraska, where the population is 90% white, recruiting people of color to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is challenging. Needless to say, intentional efforts are made to recruit and retain librarians and other information professionals. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries has brought together a team of librarians to focus on one of the university’s core values--diversity. This team of librarians from public services, technical services and library administration share responsibility in planning and implementing the Libraries’ diversity initiatives. This chapter will discuss the recruitment and retention efforts of the Libraries and the evolution of the team that has increased the number of librarians from underrepresented populations at University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 2.6% in 1999 to 12.2% in 2009.