Chapter Values Statement
The ARLIS/NA Southeast Chapter wholeheartedly endorses ARLIS/NA’s Strategic Directions and the Society’s Statement on Diversity.
Furthermore, as art information professionals, we are committed to:
- Acknowledging past practices of prejudice, intolerance, and inequity
- Rejecting white supremacy and bigotry in all its forms
- Rejecting bias based on gender identity, in our libraries and in our collections
- Championing freedom of expression
- Improving art library access for people of all abilities and disabilities
- Increasing the diversity of art information in our libraries to reflect our communities
- Continuing to educate ourselves as librarians in order better to recognize and challenge systemic racism and bias, and reverse their effects on information equity
- Addressing pipeline issues to increase diversity in the profession
In summer 2020, the ARLIS/Southeast Chapter charged a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force to gather and analyze information about current DEI practices and initiatives within the Society at the regional level. The history of the Task Force, its charge, and its report of these findings as well as recommendations put forth by the Task Force for the Southeast Chapter membership’s consideration can be found on this document:
ARLIS/SE Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Task Force Report – Summer/Fall 2020
In January 2021, the ARLIS/SE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Board took over the work of the Task Force as a new standing body for the Southeast Chapter.
Questions and feedback of any kind are welcome – please contact a member of the Executive Board.