Diversity in Monographs: Selectors, Acquisitions, Publishers, and Vendors

Abstract

In 2020 the University of Kansas Libraries began a year-long diversity audit of the circulating monograph collection. The study, which utilized the checklist method evaluated the Libraries' holdings based on a curated list of award winning and nominated titles. In addition to determining if specific titles were part of the collection, the study also sought to learn how these books were acquired. The study found that the library owned 60% of the 6,671 titles checked and of those with a known acquisitions method, 59% came via an approval plan. Titles and publishers not profiled by GOBI were significantly less likely to be in the collection as they were not included in the approval plan or highlighted by a slip notification. The Libraries' reliance on GOBI and efficient and streamlined selection and acquisition processes has resulted in a less diverse collection.

Diversifying STEM Collections: Where We are Now and Future Considerations

“…Other audits focus on diversity of content, such as Asian American law collections or LGBTQIA+ collections (Cheney et al, 2022;Pavenick & Martinez, 2021;Proctor, 2020). Another approach used by librarians to diversify the content of their collections is to seek out books that have won diversity-related awards (Kristick, 2020;Monroe-Gulick & Morris, 2023;Proctor, 2020).…”

Intentional Inclusivity: Conducting a Diversity Audit on a STEM Monograph Collection

“…More recent scholarship is looking beyond traditional types of academic materials and traditional methods of acquisition. As processes continue to become streamlined for the purposes of just-in-time and cost-efficient selection and acquisition, we risk the steps forward we have made in collections diversity (Monroe-Gulick & Morris, 2023). This potential for backpedaling progress because of changes is echoed by the need to critique and reevaluate methods to curate diversity that Jahnke et al (2022) in their article on structural barriers to collections diversity positions describe as "an ongoing pursuit" (p.…”