Bayjoo, JB

Campbell, A

Gordon, N

Leeds Beckett Repository

Diversity in Libraries of the North (DILON)Jennifer BayjooAmy CampbellNatalia GordonNorthern Collaboration Conference, Lancaster 2018 @libdiverseRace“The classification based on physical characteristics into which human kind was divided. Today people would use the term ethnic group.”Institute of Race Relations@libdiverseEthnicity“A group of people whose members identify with each other through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, common culture (which can include a religion). It is the way that most countries and peoples choose to delineate groups and has superseded the biological idea of race”Institute of Race Relations@libdiversePrivilege“A right, advantage, or immunity granted to or enjoyed by an individual, corporation of individuals, etc., beyond the usual rights or advantages of others”e.g. white privilege, western privilege, male privilege…Oxford English Dictionary@libdiverseApproaching diversity empirically: What if there aren’t many non-white people to hire for libraries?Population Level Employment levelHigher Education levelLibrary level @libdiversePopulation Level – Ethnic Diversity at a National LevelUsing the last Census data from 2011, we can understand how diverse our region is in terms of overall population% Ethnic groups by English regions, 2011 2011 Census analysis: Ethnicity and the Labour Market, England and WalesOther Ethnic GroupsBlack/ African/ Caribbean/ Black British Asian/Asian BritishMixed/ Multiple Ethnic Groups WhiteEngland and Wales 1 3.3 7.5 2.2 86North East 0.4 0.5 2.9 0.9 95.3North West 0.6 1.4 6.2 1.6 90.2Yorkshire and the Humber 0.8 1.5 7.3 1.6 88.8@libdiverseEmployment Level - What proportion of people are currently employed and what is their ethnicity?Employment rates by ethnic group, England and Wales (people aged 16 to 64)PercentagesAll WhiteMixed/ MultipleAsian / Asian BritishBlack / African / Caribbean / Black BritishOther ethnic group2014 72.7 74.7 63.4 61.7 60.6 56.7Whilst the employment rate is high overall, non-white people are less likely to be in employment. @libdiverseHigher Education level – How diverse is the sector?Staff by Ethnicity 2016/17 Academic % Academic Non-academic % non-academic TotalWhite 161,255 77.95% 179,510 84.34% 340,765Black 3,445 1.67% 6,165 2.90% 9,615Asian 17,595 8.51% 11,705 5.50% 29,300Other (including mixed) 7,545 3.65% 5,070 2.38% 12,610Unknown 17,030 8.23% 10,390 4.88% 27,420Total 206,870 212,835 419,710HESA (2018) Staff numbers and characteristics 2016/17 https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/staffThe HE sector is more diverse than the population and those in employment as a whole. However, non-academic roles (incl. library jobs) are less ethnically diverse than academic roles. @libdiverseLibrary Level – Is our profession diverse?Libraries as a sector are less diverse than the population as a whole. There is a lack of detail to understand differences between library sectors (public, academic etc)The data does suggest that libraries have a particular lack of diversityCILIP (2015) A study of the UK information workforceDiversity in Libraries of the North (DILON)@libdiverseAchievements so far@libdiverseHurdles @libdiverseHow to be a good ally@libdiverse1. Listen“Being a good ally often means not being included in the conversation, because the conversation isn’t about you.”@libdiverse2. Don’t ask - doBy asking people of colour how to be a better ally then you are implying that someone else should do all the emotional labour for you. @libdiverse3. AmplifyAmplifying the opinions and ideas of other people is a way to participate without taking up space.@libdiverse4. Speak upIf you spot discrimination at work or hear derogatory comments, say something, or talk to HR.This is about creating a safe environment for everyone.@libdiverse5. It’s a verb, not a nounBeing an ally is an active not passive role.You also do not get credit for past acts of solidarity (also known as ‘virtue signalling’) without regard for current behaviour.@libdiverse6. MistakesYour mistakes do not define you, but how you handle them does. @libdiverse7. RepresentRepresentation matters.  Why?  It shows the organisation’s commitment to a diverse workforce and demonstrates that diversity isn’t just a tick box exercise. @libdiverseDiversity in Libraries of the North (DILON)libdiverse.wordpress.com/about-us/libdiverse@gmail.com@libdiverse@epicbayjAny questions?All images copyright free from unsplash.com

Diversity in Libraries of the North (DILON)

http://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/5308/1/Northern%20Collaboration%202018%20DILON.pdf

Diversity in Libraries of the North (DILON)

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