Medical Library Association Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Report

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jane-Morgan Morgan-Daniel, University of Florida; Xan Y. Goodman, University of Nevada; Sandra Franklin, Emory University; Kelsa Bartley, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Matthew Nicholas Noe, Harvard Medical School; JJ Pionke, University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-01-01
• Publisher: Medical Library Association
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 Jane Morgan-Daniel, Xan Y. Goodman, Sandra G. Franklin, Kelsa Bartley, Matthew Nicholas Noe, JJ Pionke.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2021.1112
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
• Volume: 109
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 141
• End Page: 153
• Research Categories: Education, General; Health Sciences, Education

Abstract

The Medical Library Association (MLA) appointed a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (DITF) in 2017. Sandra G. Franklin, AHIP, FMLA, chaired the task force and guided initiatives. From 2017 to 2020, the task force completed a review of MLA defining documents—including the mission, vision, values, and code of ethics—resulting in language updates to these documents. As MLA transitioned through the communities process, the DITF contributed to the transition. Other recommended essential changes to MLA profiles to promote awareness included updating pronouns to promote gender inclusivity and suggestions for the Annual Meeting Innovation Task Force. DITF members actively brought diversity and inclusion programming and engagement to MLA members at annual meetings. The task force held a fish bowl conversation, an open forum, and a Diversity Dialogues roundtable discussion; provided interactive discussion boards; and designed an MLA diversity button. Beyond MLA annual meetings, the task force hosted two critical librarianship meetings and a Twitter chat to engage MLA members with diversity and inclusion topics. Task force members promoted diversity and inclusion beyond their task force appointments with presentations at chapter meetings and other non-DITF MLA annual meeting programming. A notable task force accomplishment included completing a survey of MLA members to gather baseline demographic characteristics, including never before collected data about disability, socioeconomics, and caregiver status. This report provides an overview of DITF activities from 2017 to 2020.