The LEAD Award honors academic libraries’ programs and initiatives that encourage and support inclusive excellence and belonging across their campus. San José State University’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library will be featured, along with 33 other recipients, in the March 2025 issue of Insight Into Diversity.
"At the SJSU King Library, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion programming is not just an initiative—it is a foundational commitment that underpins all of our work,” said Michael Meth, dean of the SJSU King Library. “This recognition reflects our library’s shared vision to create a truly inclusive academic space to empower every voice and foster collective growth and a sense of belonging."
The award recognizes SJSU King Library's commitment to anti-racism, guided by a dedicated Anti-Racism Assessment and Advocacy Committee comprised of a diverse group of staff and faculty who, over the past 18 months, transformed an initial DEI plan into a dynamic online dashboard featuring 49 recommendations to establish the library as an anti-racist library.
Read Press ReleaseAs part of SJSU Library’s commitment to Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the Anti-Racism Assessment and Advocacy Committee (ARAAC) developed the SJSU Library’s DEI & Accountability Dashboard. The dashboard summarizes and tracks these recommendations to ensure the Library’s accountability and transparency in developing a more anti-racist and inclusive environment. It is just one reflection of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This dashboard, derived from committee recommendations, focuses on the following areas:
Mission & Charge
The Anti-Racism Assessment and Advocacy Committee (ARAAC) works directly to develop, support, and assess anti-racist and DEIA activities in the library. It also facilitates subcommittees, working groups and task forces around these efforts. Expected activities include:
Formation of the Committee
The work of the Anti-Racism Assessment Working Group (ARAWG) from 2020 - 2023 resulted in a library consensus for the establishment of an Anti-Racism Advocacy and Assessment Committee (ARAAC) to facilitate the progress of anti-racism and DEIA work as defined by the library’s series of Action Planning discussions leading to a collection of action steps.
Strategy and Process
The Committee will support the implementation of recommendations already approved by the library as proposed by ARAWG (See Dashboard) and will likely continue to propose recommendations and guide individuals, departments, and committees to develop and work on anti-racist and DEIA efforts. It also facilitates the creation and governance of new subcommittees, working groups, and task forces on anti-racism and DEIA topics and issues. Current anti-racism committees, such as the Anti-Racism Collection Working Group, will continue their work as autonomous subcommittees of the Committee.
Past Co-Chairs/ Chairs