Actions describe work at the department and committee level that contribute to specific library-wide initiatives. Actions should be data and equity informed when possible.
Accessibility is the degree to which something is usable by as many people as possible. While often thought about in relation to the built environment (e.g., buildings), accessibility also includes products, devices, services, academics and more. WVU DDEI
Alternative research and publishing models address the economic sustainability of research content outside of traditional academic publishing. Some of these models include campus-based publishing, collective funding, innovative incubation, and publishing cooperatives and collaborations. SPARC
Assessment describes the systemic process of documenting and using quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate and improve collections, instruction, programming, services, spaces, and more to best meet library users' needs.
Collections include print and digital materials such as books, periodicals, videos, as well as primary resources such as manuscripts and archival materials. While some of these materials are purchased, others are licensed.
Data-informed practices consider the collection and use of data within a larger context to make informed decisions that impact the human experience. Read more about the difference between data-informed and data-driven practices here.
Equity is the process of ensuring that everyone has what they need to be successful. Equity takes into account historical context to understand why different communities have different needs, and how to best meet those needs. When someone says, “I believe in equity; I treat everyone the same,” they are missing a key part of this concept. Sometimes equal treatment is inequitable. For instance if we treat a veteran with a severe disability such as having both legs amputated exactly the same as other students in terms of providing access to buildings we have not created equity. If that veteran is required to attend a seminar on the second floor of a building with no elevator, we have not considered what would be truly equitable. Many examples are more subtle than this one, but they are no less important. WVU DDEI
Equity-informed practices consider historical and existing contexts to ensure that different communities have what they need to be successful.
Goals are high level and mapped to the campus goals identified in WVU's Strategic Transformation.
Inclusion describes a climate in which historically marginalized people feel valued, supported and encouraged to succeed. A truly inclusive environment goes beyond allowing diverse people to be present. They are encouraged to be full participants with access to decision-making processes affecting them. All stakeholders’ perspectives are listened to and considered with respect, and people from diverse backgrounds can influence the policies, practices and values espoused by the organization. WVU DDEI
Initiatives are library-wide projects, programs, and services that cross departmental and committee reach.
Learning Organization describes an organization that prioritizes learning towards transformative change. The core components of the Learning Organization include mental models, personal mastery, shared vision, systems thinking, and team learning.
Minoritized social groups describe groups with a shared social identity who have historically been marginalized through institutional or systemic processes. Avoid using the term "minorities" as a euphemism for racial or ethnic groups and be specific about which social group you are referencing when possible. For example, developing an all gender bathroom is an equity-driven practice to meet the needs of transgender library users rather than all library users who belong to minoritized social groups.
Organizational culture describes the norms, symbols, beliefs, and history within the organization that inform how people behave. Organizational culture can impact how we recruit and hire, interact with colleagues, teach information literacy, partner with community groups, make decisions, and more.
Process-driven work prioritizes the use of planning and documentation practices in alignment with the Learning Organization. When we share processes associated with our projects and services, we can learn from each other's successes and mistakes and reduce the need for duplicative efforts.
Stakeholders are groups of people who are impacted by the strategic roadmap. They include employees, students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Sustainability consists of practices that are environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially equitable. Libraries play an important and unique role in promoting community awareness about resilience, climate change and a sustainable future. They are also leading by example by taking steps to reduce their environmental footprint. ALA Core Values
Universal Design (UD) is defined as the design of products and environments to be useable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The seven principles of UD include equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and size and space for approach and use. UD in libraries considers how different users navigate our physical and digital spaces, e.g. furniture, shelving, and web accessibility. Section 508: Universal Design and Accessibility
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. UDL guidelines consider engagement (the "why" of learning), representation (the "what" of learning), and action and expression (the "how of learning). Read up on UDL and review the UDL Guidelines from CAST to better understand how to adopt UDL principles.