Diversity and Inclusion and Professional Development: Implementing an Annual Performance Requirement

Background: The leadership team at the Strauss Library (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) wanted to be intentional in their support of diversity, equity and inclusion. The library has a commitment to diversity in its strategic plan that is in line with the parent institution’s strategic plan. Staff consistently appreciate D&I opportunities that have been brought to the library but they also say it is challenging to make time for D&I with the demands of daily work. After hearing a presentation from the library at the Medical University of South Carolina about a staff requirement for professional development related to diversity, the Strauss Library decided to implement a similar requirement.

Description: In January 2019, the library implemented a requirement that all library staff complete a minimum of four hours of professional development on a topic related to diversity and inclusion (D&I) during the performance plan year. The goal of the requirement is to provide a relatively easy method for library staff to explore D&I topics of interest to them as well as provide permission to participate in professional development during the work day. Professional development could be in any format (in person, online, synchronous, asynchronous, etc.) and needed to cover at least one of the 15 protected characteristics identified by the parent institution to count towards the requirement.

Conclusion: The program was evaluated midyear (July 2019) with an anonymous survey to all staff. Additionally, library leadership shared experiences and feedback during regular meetings throughout the year. Minor adjustments were made to the requirement based on feedback in July 2019. A second anonymous survey took place at the end of the year (Dec 2019). Based on survey results and feedback from department heads, a decision was made to continue the requirement.