Eastern Washington University Libraries New Display Area for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Materials

The JFK Library at Eastern Washington University (EWU) is committed to providing and supporting a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all members of our diverse campus community. Our commitment reflects the long-standing pledge to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the library profession and incorporates the DEI goals of the EWU Strategic Plan.

DEI in the library is about recognizing all members of our campus community, realizing that each individual is unique. In order to better promote DEI materials in the library collection that help build a foundation for greater understanding in the community, we have created a new, highly visible, and accessible display in the JFK Library Lobby, adjacent to the New Books section. This permanent DEI location will highlight resources, both for adults and children, on specific DEI topics and themes that are timely and impactful. This is a collaborative effort among library faculty and staff, student workers, and campus partners. Display themes will be generated through shared discussion and campus collaboration. We plan to collaborate with the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at EWU and utilize their unique DEI collection to identify themes, and even co-host displays. 

Our display in December 2022 and January of this year, inspired by the UN’s declaration of December 3rd as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, featured collected resources and materials raising awareness of issues faced by people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. 

Our February display features books on the topic of poverty, which is one of the most pervasive and persistent problems in society. Our display aims to elevate and draw attention to causes, histories, impact, and stories of poverty throughout the nation.

Qing Stellwagen is an Associate Professor & Diversity and Inclusion Studies librarian and librarian for Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies, Political Science, and International Affairs at Eastern Washington University.

Ielleen Miller is an Associate Professor & Humanities librarian at Eastern Washington University. She is currently the Library Faculty Chair/Director of the School of Libraries.