The UBC Okanagan Library EDI Committee was formally established July 2020.
The EDI Committee leads the development of the UBC Okanagan Library Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. It is responsible to create, deliver, and measure the impact of initiatives in support of the plan, within the library, on the UBC Okanagan campus, and in the wider community.
The committee leads initiatives in support of the UBC Inclusion Action Plan, in collaboration with responsible operations, service and program leaders as appropriate.
The committee reports to Robert Janke, Interim Chief Librarian.
Contact the co-chairs:
Jane Jun jane.jun@ubc.ca
Angela Norkum-Porubanec angela.norkum-porubanec@ubc.ca
Term: September 2023 - September 2025
As of September 2021
We, as a committee, recognize and acknowledge the current and historical role that academic libraries have played in a system that oppresses 2SLGBTQIA+*, BIPOC**, and other marginalized folks.
We, as a committee, commit to continuously educating ourselves about our complicity in the unjust, oppressive, and racist systems that define our professional spaces and to actively disrupt and dismantle these systems and support and enable the work of others who aim to disrupt and dismantle them.
We, as a committee, will support the UBC Okanagan Library to develop an understanding, knowledge, and structure of practice that is focused on equity, inclusion, and diversity, explicitly positioning anti-racist, anti-ableist, de-colonization and Indigenization, and 2SLGBTQIA+ projects and supports at the forefront of what we do.
We make a commitment to, and are accountable for, driving diversity and inclusion throughout UBC Okanagan Library. The EDI Committee, through its mandate and initiatives, will provide professional development and training opportunities Library employees can use to increase their competence to interact effectively in the context of many similarities and differences. We work towards inclusion, social justice and equity for library employees and users.
*2SLGBTQIA+ = “Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (or Questioning), Intersex, Asexual (or sometimes Ally). The placement of Two Spirit (2S) first is to recognize that Indigenous people are the first peoples of this land and their understanding of gender and sexuality precedes colonization. The ‘+’ is for all the new and growing ways we become aware of sexual orientations and gender diversity” (Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms, UBC).
**BIPOC = “Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour” (The BIPOC Project).
The EDI Committee leads the development of the UBC Okanagan Library Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. It is responsible for creating, delivering, and measuring the impact of initiatives in support of the plan, within the library, on the UBC Okanagan campus, and in the wider community.
The committee leads initiatives in support of the UBC Inclusion Action Plan and Indigenous Strategic Plan, in collaboration with responsible operations, service and program leaders as appropriate.
Specifically, within the first year of the EDI Committee, we propose to engage with library staff and leadership to determine areas of focus to support a diverse and inclusive library. These areas may include, but are not limited to:
Recruitment and retention of diverse library employees, including hiring practices, education and training, and development of a mentorship program
Development of education and training opportunities, such as cultural competencies, for all employees, including student staff
Audit library spaces and accessibility to ensure a welcoming environment for all employees and patrons
Engage with our campus and community to explore ways to participate in and/or host events
The committee will continuously evaluate the progress of the areas of focus outlined above, using relevant evidence-based metrics of best practice in our EDI work. To evaluate this work, we will engage with both library employees and patrons, providing multiple modes of communication and building space for perspectives from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups.
The EDI Committee makes recommendations based on best practice and community engagement. The committee obtains endorsement from the Chief Librarian to action its recommendations.
The EDI Committee reports to the Chief Librarian, as sponsor for the committee. Reporting will include a written annual activity report, as well as biannual reports at designated meetings.
The committee’s Terms of Reference, as well as the Library’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, will be posted to the library’s public facing website.
Current activities, work plans, and announcements will be shared on the library’s intranet, website and/or the committee's Libguide as appropriate.
Membership will comprise two representatives from each library employee group.
We encourage student staff (PTA and co-op) membership, dependent on approval from their supervisor to participate in the meetings and work of the committee.
The Equity Facilitator from the Equity and Inclusion Office will be invited to participate as an ex officio member.
Ideally, members will commit at minimum to two years of service. However, should a member’s situation change, preventing them from serving the full term, we will certainly be flexible in allowing that individual to step down.
Student members will ideally participate for an eight month term.
Members will be recruited on a volunteer basis. Should more people volunteer than spaces are available, the committee will determine a selection process that ensures adequate and broad representation.
Recruitment will occur as members’ terms end, or as needed to ensure representation and work commitment needs are met.
Co-Chairs
The co-chairs coordinate, prepare and distribute meeting agendas and related materials, one week in advance of regular meetings. They lead the meetings, ensuring sufficient discussion and agreement occurs as needed.
Note-taker
A member will be designated as the note-taker on an annual basis. This person will record action items for follow up.
Members
Attend all meetings and contribute to committee work. Each member, including the co-chairs, will be responsible to lead or co-lead initiatives as determined by the committee, and will recruit and lead working groups to support activity delivery.
Sub-committees and working groups
Ongoing sub-committees and short-term working groups will be established as needed to deliver initiatives in support of committee focus areas.
Meetings will occur monthly, for 90 minutes, on a predetermined schedule as set by the committee. Longer planning meetings will occur biannually.
The committee operates on the fiscal year calendar.
A quorum is not required for decision making; however, feedback will be sought from all members as needed in order to finalize decisions.
The committee will communicate on current activities via channels such as the library newsletter and intranet.
The EDI Committee seeks to develop and maintain relationships with various campus groups, including but not limited to: Library Operations Team, Equity and Inclusion Office, Disability Resource Centre, Aboriginal Programs and Services, International Programs and Services, Human Resources, particularly the Work Re-integration and Accommodation Program (WRAP), Student Union clubs and course unions.
UBC Library Diversity and Inclusion Team: we will meet periodically with this standing committee to share strategic goals and report on initiatives, so as to learn from, update on and align with each other’s work.
Community organizations: we will seek out opportunities to engage and build relationships with community organizations supporting diversity and inclusion in the Okanagan region.
We will develop budgets for activities as needed, and submit requests to the Chief Librarian in accordance with library budget planning timelines.
The committee may apply for other funding sources as appropriate, for example the Equity Enhancement fund.
The terms of reference will be reviewed after the initial year, and then as determined.
Vardhmane, S. (2017). Diversity and inclusion councils. https://ccdi.ca/media/1072/20170831-ccdi-diversity-council-toolkit-final-v3.pdf
Angela Norkum-Porubanec
Jane Jun
Kristy Baxter (on leave)
Kim Buschert (on leave)
Christian Isbister
Sajni Lacey (on leave)
Donna Langille
Jessica Lowry