University Libraries IDEA Plan Actions

The University Libraries affirm diversity and inclusive excellence to be vitally integral to our mission and vision, as described in our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusive Excellence.

Knowing this will be ongoing and collective work, in alignment with the campus-wide Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Academics (IDEA) Plan, we take a strategic and systematic approach to embedding EDI into all that we do.

This dashboard presents current actions in the following areas:

Please contact us with questions, ideas or comments at libraries@colorado.edu. 

Icon key: CU Boulder's “Five goals for building a more inclusive campus community"

 

Goal 1

Employee skills & development

  
Goal 2

Student achievement

  
Goal 3

Community building

  
Goal 4

Employee recruitment

  
Goal 5
Prepare students to participate
in a diverse democracy

Transformative Programming

Making change through meaningful connection

Buffs One Read

Building community through the shared reading of one book      

Initiated in 2021, this campus-level program targeted primarily at first year students builds community and a sense of belonging through the shared reading of one book.

In 2023, we distributed hundreds of books to first-year students, held 19 events and welcomed two new partners: Renée Crown Wellness Institute and the Contemplative Resource Center.  

Culture Crawl

Connecting our community to arts & heritage resources across campus        

This campus collaboration led by the University Libraries aims to help students–particularly first year students–discover campus arts and heritage units, academic programs and organizations.

In 2023, the program's third year, we welcomed almost 600 participants during the two-day event with strong undergraduate turnout (88%).

Librarians of the Future Program

Partnering with new professionals to transform librarianship            

Our diversity residency program offers a cohort of two early career librarians a three-year, salaried opportunity to explore multiple career paths in academic librarianship. 

In 2023, we welcomed two librarians as our inaugural Librarians of the Future residents; their professional projects are underway.

Learn more about ...

Buffs One Read

Culture Crawl

Student Success

Promoting student learning, belonging and leadership

         

In 2023:  

  • Student Employee Development program

    • Implemented a student employee recognition program
    • Honor cords given to all graduating seniors
    • Outstanding student honoree presented at commencement

  • Common Curriculum

    • Librarians contributed to the creation of a CU Boulder common curriculum which introduces and engages students in common themes, skills, methodologies and values that the university deems important for the development of its undergraduate student population.

  • Gay Liberation Collection and Exhibition

    • The history of CU Boulder student activism for LGBTQ+ rights created as a collection and exhibition by students
       

Spotlight on Libraries' Student Employees

Inclusive Library Practices

Evolving librarianship for a more diverse & equitable library

       

In 2023:

  • Collections 

    • The Indigenous Cinema Collection has amassed movies from different regions in the Americas created by Indigenous filmmakers

  • Commitment to Open Access & Open Educational Resources

    • The Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA) passed a resolution on October 5, 2023, supporting the libraries’ mission to provide equitable access to information and preserve author’s rights. This resolution was modeled on a similar resolution passed by the Libraries' faculty in May 2023. 

  • Exhibits

    • Women in mapping: highlighting the historic and current role of women in cartography, exploration and geographic representation

  • IDEA Plan Goals

    • Inclusive management training
    • Libraries-wide EDI in Action series
    • University Libraries' Employee Excellence Award

  • Resource Description/Metadata Cataloging

    • Seeking ways to improve discoverability of items in the collections which reflect the principles of diversity and inclusion