The two part Badger Herald story on the UW Plan 2008 diversity initiative.
Part 1: Diversity Plan Sees Scrutiny
Part 2: The Future of Diversity
Today marks the beginning of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. Learn more here.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Associated Students of Madison Diversity Committee
This week I had the opportunity to meet with Steven Olikara, the new chair of the Associated Students of Madison Diversity Committee. I found out about his appointment from the student paper The Daily Cardinal. We've started discussing ideas on how we might collaborate on campus-wide initiatives. One thing that was clear from our meeting is that while there are numerous initiatives by different departments and schools around the UW Campus there is not enough communication between them. If we could find a way to increase communication it might be possible to learn from each other and avoid redundancy.
One very interesting program that Steven brought to my attention is the Posse Program at the School of Education. It appears to use techniques that are similar to LAMP. Use to the link to learn more about it.
We have an LAMP, AOF, ISIP, and international student social coming up on Friday, December 12, so look here again for an overview of that event.
One very interesting program that Steven brought to my attention is the Posse Program at the School of Education. It appears to use techniques that are similar to LAMP. Use to the link to learn more about it.
We have an LAMP, AOF, ISIP, and international student social coming up on Friday, December 12, so look here again for an overview of that event.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
LIS Diversity Scholarship Opportunity – March 1, 2009 Deadline
Check it out . . .
The American Library Association’s Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies Division [ALA ASCLA] is recruiting applicants for the tenth annual ASCLA Century Scholarship. ASCLA Century, a $2500 award, is an ASCLA diversity initiative within the ALA Scholarship Program that promotes the entry of individuals with access needs into the library and information science profession.
Eligible veterans are encouraged to apply.
ASCLA Century Scholarship Home Page: http://ascla.ala.org/century
ALA Scholarship Program Home Page: http://www.ala.org/scholarships/
ASCLA Century Scholarship Criteria:
1. Acceptance to or enrollment in LIS program (Master's or Doctoral Level) at an ALA-accredited institution: no credit-hour limit for continuing students
2. Documentation of access need
3. American or Canadian citizenship
4. Submission of ALA Scholarship Program online application: See: http://www.ala.org/scholarships/
In accordance with the American Library Association's accessibility policy 54.3.2 (http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/policymanual/policymanual.31_3.pdf - page 50), if needed, alternative formats for this online application are available upon request.
Please visit the ASCLA Century Scholarship home page - http://ascla.ala.org/century - for further details and contact information for any questions or contact the ASCLA Office toll-free at 1-800-545-2433 Ext. 4398 TDD: 1-888-814-7692
The ASCLA Century Scholarship
"Celebrating a New Century that Celebrates Diversity"
http://ascla.ala.org/century
The American Library Association’s Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies Division [ALA ASCLA] is recruiting applicants for the tenth annual ASCLA Century Scholarship. ASCLA Century, a $2500 award, is an ASCLA diversity initiative within the ALA Scholarship Program that promotes the entry of individuals with access needs into the library and information science profession.
Eligible veterans are encouraged to apply.
ASCLA Century Scholarship Home Page: http://ascla.ala.org/century
ALA Scholarship Program Home Page: http://www.ala.org/
ASCLA Century Scholarship Criteria:
1. Acceptance to or enrollment in LIS program (Master's or Doctoral Level) at an ALA-accredited institution: no credit-hour limit for continuing students
2. Documentation of access need
3. American or Canadian citizenship
4. Submission of ALA Scholarship Program online application: See: http://www.ala.org/
In accordance with the American Library Association's accessibility policy 54.3.2 (http://www.ala.org/ala/
Please visit the ASCLA Century Scholarship home page - http://ascla.ala.org/century - for further details and contact information for any questions or contact the ASCLA Office toll-free at 1-800-545-2433 Ext. 4398 TDD: 1-888-814-7692
The ASCLA Century Scholarship
"Celebrating a New Century that Celebrates Diversity"
http://ascla.ala.org/century
Thursday, November 20, 2008
ABC Clip
An interesting clip I thought I would share. It's both a little frightening and heartening.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Catching up: A social, WLA, and what's coming along
Catching up on where I ought to be with this blog . . .
There have been a few developments since the last time I posted. LAMP held its first social at Professor Robbins' house in mid-October. It was a hit, even if my son-- who came with me-- was a little ornery. It was a chicken dinner open to both LAMP and AOF students. We had over ten attendees altogether and everyone agreed that it would be worthwhile to do it again. So, I have to start thinking about that one. The idea of a potluck appeals to me since it is a way for people to express themselves and share a little about who they are while they are at it. Though, students might be too busy to make something.
Picture at WLA, left to right: Omar, Roy, Amani, Kristina, me, and Louise.
I also had the opportunity earlier this November to meet Amani Ayad, who is the backbone holding the LAMP program up, at the Wisconsin Library Association. Prof. Robbins, Amani, a number of LAMP scholars, and I had a lunch at WLA and talked about where the program is and where we are going. One of the primary efforts for LAMP right now is to reapply for funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. While not directly involved, I hope to provide Amani some assistance reviewing the grant narrative.
As for other projects being developed: I will be putting more of a focus on getting some panel discussions put together addressing diversity issues. More on that to come.
Prof. Robbins and I recently found out at a meeting that a small pool of funds may be available to help promote diversity issues at the library school. This might be able to help fund incidental expenses with the panel discussions, and perhaps it could be used to help create connections between librarians and library students. One idea I have to pay students to interview librarians and write up bios on them. This would help facilitate a mentor-like situation and help us promote the diverse backgrounds of existing librarians. In discussions I had with Adin Palau, a human resources diversity officer here, it became clear that the current UW website as it stands now is a poor tool for recruitment. Campus diversity is not well represented, but highlighting the diversity that we so have can be a way to help people imagine themselves working at Madison.
There have been a few developments since the last time I posted. LAMP held its first social at Professor Robbins' house in mid-October. It was a hit, even if my son-- who came with me-- was a little ornery. It was a chicken dinner open to both LAMP and AOF students. We had over ten attendees altogether and everyone agreed that it would be worthwhile to do it again. So, I have to start thinking about that one. The idea of a potluck appeals to me since it is a way for people to express themselves and share a little about who they are while they are at it. Though, students might be too busy to make something.
Picture at WLA, left to right: Omar, Roy, Amani, Kristina, me, and Louise.I also had the opportunity earlier this November to meet Amani Ayad, who is the backbone holding the LAMP program up, at the Wisconsin Library Association. Prof. Robbins, Amani, a number of LAMP scholars, and I had a lunch at WLA and talked about where the program is and where we are going. One of the primary efforts for LAMP right now is to reapply for funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. While not directly involved, I hope to provide Amani some assistance reviewing the grant narrative.
As for other projects being developed: I will be putting more of a focus on getting some panel discussions put together addressing diversity issues. More on that to come.
Prof. Robbins and I recently found out at a meeting that a small pool of funds may be available to help promote diversity issues at the library school. This might be able to help fund incidental expenses with the panel discussions, and perhaps it could be used to help create connections between librarians and library students. One idea I have to pay students to interview librarians and write up bios on them. This would help facilitate a mentor-like situation and help us promote the diverse backgrounds of existing librarians. In discussions I had with Adin Palau, a human resources diversity officer here, it became clear that the current UW website as it stands now is a poor tool for recruitment. Campus diversity is not well represented, but highlighting the diversity that we so have can be a way to help people imagine themselves working at Madison.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Introducing myself and LAMP
Hello, and thanks for checking out my blog on my involvement with LAMP. For those of you unfamiliar with LAMP (Library and Information Science Access Midwest Program), it is a program promoting and supporting diversity in the field of library and information studies (LIS). LAMP provides financial support to students from diverse backgrounds to enable them to attend a master's degree program in LIS from participating Midwestern universities. LAMP also connects students with mentors working in the field and provides networking support. I suggest checking out the website to learn more (http://www.lisaccess.org/).
I, myself, just started my involvement with LAMP last month. I am not a LAMP scholar, but rather a Project Assistant working to help administer and promote LAMP's objectives at UW-Madison. I am currently a second year student at UW-Madison in the School of Library and Information Studies. I hope one day to work in an academic library when a graduate and help to facilitate cross-cultural communication. Working with LAMP will be a good step in this direction.
My hope for this blog is for it to serve a few roles. First, I would like for it to be a way to help others understand the LAMP program better and how it works. In many ways I am still learning about my position as I go, so you can learn with me. I also hope that this blog can be used by people who might be interested in applying for a LAMP scholarship to learn more about the program and the scholars taking part in it. Along these lines, this blog will probably even be useful to people interested in generally knowing more about the library program at UW-Madison. But also one of the objectives of this blog will be to promote awareness of the existing diversity in libraries and the related issues to think about. I will be working to put together events that highlight topics relating to diversity, and hopefully they will get people talking about the issues (your ideas and suggestions on this count are more than welcome). And lastly, this blog will serve to help me to clarify my ideas about how to go about addressing the needs LAMP is focused on. Sometimes writing about something is a good way to see the progress you have made and where you might want to go.
Issues that I have been looking into lately for LAMP include:
I, myself, just started my involvement with LAMP last month. I am not a LAMP scholar, but rather a Project Assistant working to help administer and promote LAMP's objectives at UW-Madison. I am currently a second year student at UW-Madison in the School of Library and Information Studies. I hope one day to work in an academic library when a graduate and help to facilitate cross-cultural communication. Working with LAMP will be a good step in this direction.
My hope for this blog is for it to serve a few roles. First, I would like for it to be a way to help others understand the LAMP program better and how it works. In many ways I am still learning about my position as I go, so you can learn with me. I also hope that this blog can be used by people who might be interested in applying for a LAMP scholarship to learn more about the program and the scholars taking part in it. Along these lines, this blog will probably even be useful to people interested in generally knowing more about the library program at UW-Madison. But also one of the objectives of this blog will be to promote awareness of the existing diversity in libraries and the related issues to think about. I will be working to put together events that highlight topics relating to diversity, and hopefully they will get people talking about the issues (your ideas and suggestions on this count are more than welcome). And lastly, this blog will serve to help me to clarify my ideas about how to go about addressing the needs LAMP is focused on. Sometimes writing about something is a good way to see the progress you have made and where you might want to go.
Issues that I have been looking into lately for LAMP include:
- Funding: LAMP is at the end of a grant cycle and will be applying for a renewal. While I am not directly involved in this process, it will be interesting to see how it plays out, especially in a time of tightening budgets. I have also started to look for some other ways we can augment the funds we already have. One of the best goals I could achieve during my time with LAMP would be to expand the financial resources the Madison library program can direct at increasing diversity.
- Promotion: I am looking for local media that might be interested in highlighting the program or diversity issues in libraries.
- Events: This includes events for existing LAMP scholars, events to promote a dialog on diversity and libraries, and events to help promote the program to prospective LAMP applicants. There is a summer institute some months down the road, but there will likely be some other smaller events along the way, including one with the ISIP program for undergraduates, also at UW-Madison.
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