In early 2020, members of the University Libraries began collaborating on ways to elevate issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A curated list of antiracist resources was among its first projects; they published the robust guide in June, and it quickly circulated around campus to help educate the community. The resources include readings, documentaries and films, podcasts, relevant research databases, and more.
The group formalized as an official committee in the fall, charged with providing recommendations for DEI-related action, ensuring alignment with campus priorities, fostering partnerships within and outside of the Miami community, and developing task forces for focused initiatives and projects.
To those ends, the committee laid groundwork by meeting with interim Vice President for Institutional Diversity Anthony James and investing in training from the Racial Equity Institute.
In December, the committee announced a mini-grant funding opportunity, awarding up to $1,500 per grant for library projects aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The inaugural initiative attracted six proposals for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The committee also supported two Libraries preproposals for Boldly Creative, one of which has been invited to submit a full proposal.