Washington, DC—On April 4, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) honored Dean James Mullins and the Purdue University Libraries for their enduring commitment to ARL’s Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW), and for advancing the cause of diversity and inclusion in academic and research libraries. Since 2005, Dean Mullins and the Purdue Libraries have hosted IRDW Diversity Scholars at an annual “research library visit” designed to provide an inside look at operations in a major research library in the Midwest. During the closing reception for the eighth visit, held at the Purdue Black Cultural Center, Dean Mullins was presented an engraved trophy in recognition of this continued dedication to hosting the site visit.

The visit to Purdue includes programs on a broad range of topics such as e-science, scholarly communication, embedded librarianship, special collections, and emerging library roles. Past programs have included discussions with the university Provost, the Vice-Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, and representatives from Purdue University cultural centers and other student services groups. A committee of staff and faculty from the library plans this important component of the IRDW with input from the Diversity Scholars and ARL staff.

Roy Brooks, 2009 Diversity Scholar, reflected on his experience, “Nearing the end of my last semester in my LIS program, the Purdue trip was perfectly timed. It served to be both invigorating and inspiring. The exposure to the dynamic leadership, the motivated faculty, and the innovative service models were the breath of fresh air I needed to keep pace and finish strong. I deeply appreciate the commitment Purdue has made to support the IRDW program and to serve as a model for research institutions across the global campus in the appreciation for and recruitment of a representative workforce.”

The ARL IRDW is a diversity recruitment program funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and ARL member libraries. The IRDW provides financial support and career development to master of library and information science students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students. The IRDW reflects the commitment of ARL members to create a diverse research library workforce that will better reflect the changing demographics in higher education and the emphasis on global perspectives in the academy. More information about the IRDW can be found on the ARL website at http://www.arl.org/diversity/init/call.shtml .

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 126 research libraries in the US and Canada. Its mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, facilitating the emergence of new roles for research libraries, and shaping a future environment that leverages its interests with those of allied organizations. ARL is on the web at http://www.arl.org/ .

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