Exploring inclusivity: A diversity audit of life science library exhibits

Abstract

Exhibits provide an opportunity to connect with our patrons and provide a glimpse into the unique topics, subjects, and services that science libraries have to offer. They are also opportunities to develop strategies that integrate diversity into our work, increase our impact, and maintain our relevance. Funk ACES Library's (Funk) exhibit cases display materials related to Funk subject areas, university events, or campus groups with display materials drawn from the library's extensive collection for agricultural, consumer and environmental sciences, biology, city planning and landscape architecture, and agricultural communications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. With the intention to foster diversity through their exhibits, the research team reflects on past work to identify gaps in representation that can address inclusivity and a sense of belonging within an academic community. This manuscript discusses strategies and examines findings from an assessment of physical materials exhibited by Funk over the past 5 years. Applying methods used to audit print collections, the research team discusses their methodology to assess the diverse representation of authors and subjects, their tools used to document findings, and how the resulting information will be used.