Introduction to diversity in academic libraries

European Union Librarians on the Move? An Exploration of Potential Impacts of Brexit on Workforce Diversity

“…The definition of diversity in the academic librarianship literature, which often comes from an American context, incorporates a number of different attributes. Nationality and geographic background have, among others, been recognised as dimensions of diversity (Hanna et al, 2011;Kreitz, 2008). Kreitz ( 2008) reviewed different definitions and recognised four groups to which diversity attributes can belong: personality (e.g., traits, skills, and abilities), internal characteristics (e.g., characteristics (e.g., culture, position, Despite the widespread recognition of these various dimensions, the concept of diversity has previously predominantly focused on ethnicity in the academic librarianship literature (Honma, 2005;Peterson, 1999;Riley-Reid, 2017).…”

“…literature regularly includes best practices on managing diversity and implementing diversity initiatives (Hanna et al, 2011;Kreitz, 2008). This goal has been presented as a necessary response to increased user diversity, in the light of globalisation and internationalisation (Gulati, 2010;Hanna et al, 2011;Kreitz, 2008). Literature on recruitment stresses the value of diverse staff to better service provision through their cultural and language knowledge (Dewey & Keally, 2008;Kim, Chiu, Sin, & Robbins, 2007).…”

“…The importance of mirroring user diversity in the workforce (Gulati, 2010;Hanna et al, 2011;Kreitz, 2008), was echoed by senior staff participants, who recognised diversity as an important organisational goal and asset to a library. Academic librarians from the EU have been recognised…”