2005 Spectrum Scholar Deborah Lilton is pictured on the cover of the October 15, 2007, issue of Library Journal. She is featured in the article "What's an MLIS Worth?" (pg. 30, look for Deborah on pg. 35) or read the excerpt online.

(First published in San Jose State University's SLIS Descriptor)

Why Diversity is Overrated: ALA’s Spectrum Initiative

By Paige Fujisue

When numerous scholarships, fellowships, and classes address diversity; when library boards launch and expand foreign-language collections; when library programs and outreach connect with diverse populations, why are we continuously solicited to support diversity initiatives? Few would argue against the merits of staff who reflect changing demographics, yet considering the rising costs of serials, technology, etc., we must question whether such initiatives are worth the money. To date, ALA’s Spectrum Initiative has spent more than $2.5 million dollars in scholarships and leadership training. Do we honestly need to spend a quarter of a billion dollars to ensure that we have all the colors in the crayon box?

My answer is a resounding yes.

As a 2006 Spectrum scholar, I learned that the Spectrum scholarship, more than money is a responsibility. I awakened to the necessity, no, to the gift that diversity brings to our profession as well as to life. Within me stirred a recognition of something, a kind of internal reverberation, when placed in a room full of color, culture, and ethnic pride. It was an amazing sense of exhilaration to be recognized as different, while simultaneously recognizing how these differences give me much to offer our profession.

Spectrum’s leadership institute was a safe place where the voices of those before us inspired, encouraged, and advised me of the path that lay ahead. With this safety I became aware of my tendency to closet my differences as I would a kimono. Just as it wouldn’t cross my mind to sport a kimono to work, it wouldn’t cross my mind to sport my cultural differences either.

I also assessed that despite the best of intentions, colleagues with different backgrounds may not be willing or able to relate to my experiences, my perspectives, or my paradigm. Consequently, I can regularly expect to be listened to, but not necessarily heard or understood. And I will choose to respond with kindness, compassion, and a steadfast resolution to press on. Without question, the pool of strength derived from fellow scholars identifying with my struggles, will prove invaluable.

In conclusion, diversity is overrated when our understanding is limited to that of a color-wheel. Diversity in leadership, what the Spectrum Initiative is all about, stimulates change in the ways we see, think, do business, and relate to one another. Be advised, true professional diversity will change core values, policies, languages, programs, collections, bibliographic records, databases, serials, reference, and more. True diversity in thought and action will rock our fundamental understanding of librarianship and information science.

Let's give a round of applause to 2005 Spectrum Scholar Béatrice Colastin Skokan for her recent honor!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2007
Contact: Helen Janousek
312/922-0140 or hjanousek@archivists.org

Claire-Lise Bénaud and Béatrice Colastin Skokan
Receive Scholarships from Society of American Archivists

CHICAGO— Claire-Lise Bénaud and Béatrice Colastin Skokan are recipients of the Society of American Archivists’ 2007 Colonial Dames Scholarships. Established in 1974, the scholarships enable new archivists to attend the Modern Archives Institute of the National Archives and Records Administration. The awards, funded by the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter III, Washington, D.C., were presented during a ceremony on August 31, 2007, at the annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists in Chicago.

Bénaud, recipient of the Colonial Dames of America Scholarship to the Winter 2007 Modern Archives Institute, is Associate Director of the Center for Southwest Research/Special Collections at the University of New Mexico. She manages the rare book and Southwestern materials unit and coordinates activities related to archives and manuscripts, collection security, and exhibit preparation. The Center for Southwest Research documents over 400 years of New Mexico history beginning with the Spanish empire and the Mexican occupation.

Skokan, recipient of the Colonial Dames of America Scholarship to the Summer 2007 Modern Archives Institute, has been the archives assistant in Special Collections at the University of Miami Libraries since fall 2006. Her work includes processing, arrangement and description, as well as supervising student assistants. Holdings in Special Collections document Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America from the 16th century to the present.

Each scholarship covers $1,200 of the total tuition, travel, and housing expenses associated with attending the institute. To be eligible for this scholarship an individual must have been employed less than two years as an archivist and work in an archives or manuscripts collection where a fair percentage of the repository’s holdings predate 1825. The award is funded by the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter III, Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1936, the Society of American Archivists is North America's oldest and largest national archival professional association. SAA’s mission is to serve the educational and informational needs of more than 4,900 individual and institutional members and to provide leadership to ensure the identification, preservation, and use of records of historical value. For more information, visit www.archivists.org.

News from Spectrum Scholar Rubi Simon. Congrats, Rubi! Hope your summer is going well and you've settled into this wonderful new position. Thank you for bringing Spectrum's mission of improving service at the local level to life, we're so proud your service to your communities is well-recognized.

Rubi Simon Appointed to Assistant Neighborhood Services Manager Position

To the Library Staff:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Rubi Ornelas Simon to the position of Assistant Neighborhood Services Manager. Rubi has worked at the Boston Public Library for seven years. She has served as a Generalist, Adults, and Children’s Librarian at the Codman Square Branch and for the past five years she has been the Egleston Branch Librarian. She brings extensive experience in the delivery of branch services and knowledge of the neighborhoods of the city. While at the Egleston Branch Rubi played a significant role in the success of the Hispanic Writers Week held every spring in association with UMass Boston. She has a BA from the University of Kentucky and is an ALA Spectrum scholar. She received her MLS from the University of South Florida.

Rubi is currently serving on the American Library Association’s Diversity Committee and is a member of REFORMA. She has worked with the MA Board of Library Commissioners in facilitating the televised promotion of the statewide summer reading program focusing on the Latino population. She is also a member of the Mayor’s School Readiness Action Planning Team and of El Jolgorio de Massachusetts. She has served on both the Latino Life and Black Is committees of the Boston Public Library

Rubi will begin her new responsibilities on July 23rd. Please join me in congratulating Rubi on her important new assignment.

Bernard A. Margolis, President
July 3, 2007