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Butte College Library 5-Year Inclusion Plan: 2021-2026

The Butte College Library is affirming its commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and antiracism. We believe these elements are fundamental to the success of students and reflects the college's broader commitment to IDEA. It is important that we provide a welcoming space, physically and virtually, making our services widely accessible while reflecting on the individual needs of each student. We seek to provide collections that are inclusive and diverse as well as being keenly aware of the unique demographics of our college population and broader community. We endeavor to provide ample opportunities for student feedback through various outreach and assessment strategies. We recognize the need for a diverse library workforce and recognize the benefits of diverse talents and backgrounds. More details about the following projects coming soon. 

Goals & Objectives

Goal #1: Create a welcoming and inclusive environment both physically and virtually. 
 

 

Rationale

We want students to feel included and accepted as they enter either our physical building or as they navigate our online resources. We want to be aware of and serve the very specific and diverse needs of our student population and ensure there are elements that reflect as much.

Ongoing Work

  • Have awareness of diverse and inclusive considerations when redesigning physical or online spaces 
  • Displays that highlight the history and achievements of underrepresented groups. Physical displays also have corresponding online content including blog posts, LibGuides, and featured collections. 
  • Website/online accessibility review 
  • Professional Development - encourage a culture and commitment to stay current on DEIAA topics black history month book display

Projects

  • Developed a harmful language statement (click the Intellectual Freedom tab)
  • Conduct an equity space audit to be sure all students are represented within the physical space of the library  
  • Create more opportunities for feedback including targeted surveys, voluntary comment boxes, anonymous web forms, etc. 

Resources Created

Assessment

  • Usage statistics (digital clicks, door counts) 
  • Usage statistics on displays & digital displays (collection)
  • Completion of space augmentation requests 
  • Incorporate feedback from targeted surveys, voluntary comment box, anonymous web forms, etc.

Goal #2: Assess how representative our collections are of historically underrepresented groups, especially those in our broader community.
 

 

Rationale

We want our library collection to reflect the students that we serve as well as the broader community.

Ongoing Work

  • Inclusive collection development policies integrated into all purchases of materials
  • Annual diversity audit goals for assigned collections

Projects

Resources Created

Assessment

  • Completion of annual diversity audit goals for existing collection
  • Annual sampling of new purchases against inclusive collection development policies

Goal #3: Intentionally identify barriers to student success in our policies and procedures and create services that support Butte College’s Student Equity initiatives: course completion, certificate and transfer outcomes, and basic skills.
 

 

Rationale

We want to conduct a systematic review of current policies and procedures to identify areas that could  impede student success. We want an inclusive review of any new policies and procedures put in place going forward. We want to create services that support student success.

Ongoing Work

  • Apply for funds for smart group study rooms
  • Maintain ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) collection
  • Maintain Laptop and Wifi Hotspot lending program
  • Removed daily fines and fees 
  • Removed pay for printing  
  • Ongoing scan of policies and procedures through an equity/accessibility lens

Projects

  • Expand Laptop & Wifi Hotspot lending program 
  • Conduct a full equity/accessibility scan of current library policies and procedures and make recommendations 
  • OER librarian works with faculty to find zero textbook cost alternatives to textbooks  
  • Created a ZTC Collection in collaboration with faculty. Required texts are available for full classes for semester checkout.  
  • Develop controlled digital lending program to support online students
  • New study space furniture installed with charging capabilities

Assessment

  • Laptop & Wifi hotspot usage data
  • ZTC collection usage data
  • Controlled digital lending program usage data

Goal #4: Collaborate with faculty and student groups to increase outreach connections and receive feedback allowing the library to recognize, honor, and respond to student voices.
 

 

Rationale

We want to conduct a review of student and faculty groups, including committees, task forces, work groups, and clubs. After initial identification of campus groups, we will develop a plan to promote services and request feedback, recognizing the importance of student voices.  

Ongoing Work

  • Scheduled District Announcements
  • Library Runner - Blog
  • Continue working with specific groups on projects allowing for connections, feedback, and create a sense of belonging in the library. 

Projects

  • Conduct an environmental scan of current clubs, committees, and groups to see where the library is not currently represented. 

Assessment

  • Collect anecdotes, feedback, and anonymous surveys from projects, meetings, workshops, and presentations. 

Goal #5: Recruit a diverse workforce.

 

Rationale

We want to improve the representation of minoritized people in all job classifications to ensure that our workforce accurately reflects our student demographics. 

Ongoing Work

  • Understand and promote the benefits of having a diverse workforce when a staff or faculty position is open 

Assessment

  • More diverse faculty or staff in the library department