ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries 380 / C&RL News Racial and ethnic diversity: Information exchange By Susana Hinojosa Chair, A CRL R acial an d E thnic Diversity Com m ittee • UCLA’s Library Committee on Diversity has published an attractive brochure, “Weaving Unity from Diversity,” describing the committee charge, working groups, and membership. The UCLA Li­ brary Committee on Diversity is a standing com­ mittee of approximately 25 members (equal num­ bers of librarians and staff) appointed for indefinite terms by the associate university librarian for Per­ sonnel and Administrative Services. The commit­ tee’s charge is: (1) to advise the library administra­ tion in meeting its goal of attracting and retaining greater representation of historically underrepre­ sented racial and ethnic groups among all levels of staff; (2) to design and implement programs which will enhance the library as a receptive and hospi­ table workplace, welcoming diversity o f race, eth­ nicity, national origin, religion, age, physical abili­ ties, and sexual orientation; and (3) to serve as a library network promoting the benefits of a diverse workforce through work on search committees, in other campus and off-campus groups with similar interests, and informally among the library staff. The committee published “First Report, October 1988 to September 1990,” which includes a history of the committee, information about the specific Racial and ethnic diversity resolution adopted The ACRL Executive Committee adopted the following resolution at its April 20, 1991, meeting in Chicago: “The Association of Col­ lege and Research Libraries is committed to fostering equality and promoting diversity within the library profession as a whole and specifically within academic libraries by: (1) supporting efforts to attract, retain and advance underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to the library profession in general and to aca­ demic libraries specifically; (2) supporting educational efforts to heighten racial sensitivity and assist library staff and institutions in recog­ nizing and handling the issues related to equal­ ity and diversity; (3) reflecting this commitment in the Association’s organization, strategic plans, standards, programs, and activities.” working groups, highlights, accomplishments, and goals. Contact: Eudora Loh (Chair) or Rita Scher- rei (AUL/PAS) at URL, UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024; or (213) 825-2146. • The Minorities Recruitment Committee of the New Members Round Table is sponsoring a mentor program for students, new librarians, and first-time conference attendees to start at the an­ nual conference in Atlanta. The program will match experienced conference-goers with those new to the profession to enhance the conference experience. To date librarians have volunteered as mentors, but more “mentees” are needed and especially encouraged to apply. The dates for appli­ cation have been extended to June 21. The NMRT Orientation Session is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, at 2:00 pm. Contact: Lorelei Tanji, U.C., Irvine, P.O. Box 19557, Irvine, CA 92713; phone: (714) 856-5216 or fax (714) 856-5740. • “Ethnic Studies Research Library Collec­ tions: From the 1960’s to the 21st Century,” was the title of the session presented by librarians at the National Association for Ethnic Studies (NAES), Nineteenth Annual Conference held at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, March 1991. The panel of four librarians presented papers on the following topics: historical review of Califor­ nia’s public and academic ethnic library collec­ tions; bibliographic access and the role of the eth­ nic information specialist; the development and governance of academic ethnic library collections within the UC system; and a description of a library instruction program that focuses on ethnic studies research by multicultural undergraduate students at UC Santa Cruz. It was clear to this group of pan­ elists that librarians need to build on and continue active participation in non-librarian professional organizations, such as NAES. Contact: Rafaela' Castro, Shields Library, U.C. Davis, Davis, CA 95616; call (916) 752-2040; fax (916) 752-6899. Note: Items o f a practical nature that highlight program s, reports, and activities in academ ic li­ b raries and ACRL that address racial an d midticul- tural issues are especially n eed ed f o r this column. Please fo r w a r d items to Susana Hinojosa, Moffitt Undergraduate Library, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720; e-mail: shinojos@ library.berkeley.edu; fa x (415) 643-7891. ■ ■ mailto:shinojos@library.berkeley.edu