We recognize the University is strongest when all its members have the support and freedom to thrive. The Libraries value and commit to creating inclusive, diverse, and accessible library systems and environments that support all university employees and students. Our physical and virtual environments will reflect a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and our programming and messaging will reflect our core IDEA values. In that work, we prioritize the creating of safe and inclusive spaces where students can learn with the support of experts and collaboration with their peers.
Foster Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) in all aspects of our work
Completion of published oral history captioning project
Student workers from Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) partnered with Digital Services to complete captions for oral history recordings present in the Libraries’ Islandora platform. These captions enhance the accessibility of the recordings, opening their use for a wider range of users, regardless of their physical abilities.
Sierra Nevada University Legacy Preservation
Prim Library supports the preservation of Sierra Nevada University’s (SNU) legacy. The Prim team located, packaged, and delivered hundreds of historical documents to SCUA for preservation. Prim also accessioned hundreds of SNU special projects and theses.
@One
Pride Stickers Collaboration
In partnership with the QLab on campus, the @One Digital Media and Technology Center worked with a student artist to design and produce 1,000 University of Nevada, Reno Pride stickers, which were distributed at Reno’s July 2023 Pride Parade. Additionally, the stickers were handed out amongst Libraries’ staff so that the organization might better show its support for members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as to promote and encourage student artwork.
Native American Basketry Interviews
Interviewed four new Indigenous basket weavers to add to the Libraries-produced documentary highlighting Native American Basket Weavers.
Harmful Content Working Group
An interdepartmental working group from within the Libraries created a Harmful Content Statement for the organization. The statement is a guiding document that promotes the Libraries’ commitment to making our collections and their descriptions more inclusive, equitable, and accessible.
Jon Bilbao Basque Library
On top of the ongoing management of the library and archival collections, the Jon Bilbao Basque Library and Metadata, Cataloging & One-Time Acquisitions (MCOTA) have partnered on a new external cataloging project to be conducted in collaboration with Backstage Library Works to catalog and provide access to approximately 620 multimedia and printed resources, mainly in Basque, but also in Spanish and French.
Additionally, the team is increasing its efforts to make the collections better known to a variety of University academic departments outside of the Center for Basque Studies. These efforts have resulted in a collaboration with the Honors College that will grow during the Spring 2024 semester.
Book Displays & Featured eBooks supporting Cultural Heritage, EDI, and social justice themes
The Libraries curated 33 book displays in 2023, across all three libraries (DeLaMare Science & Engineering Library/Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center/Prim Library) including 22 physical displays and 11 Primo (online) Featured Collections.
Many of the book displays referenced featured Cultural Heritage or EDI-based curated collections to celebrate Black History, Women’s History, Mental Health Awareness/Wellness, Native American Heritage, Domestic Violence Awareness, LGBTQ+ History, PRIDE, and more.
New in 2023: Primo Featured Collections to support campus programming and guest speakers (of DEI Office, Multicultural Center, Liberal Arts).
DeLaMare Science & Engineering Library
- The DeLaMare Science & Engineering Library Makerspace took on an accessibility initiative to increase inclusivity in the space, addressing common barriers faced by individuals. The team implemented best practices through modification or acquisition of new resources and by rethinking services. A member of the team presented on the topic at the Annual Makerspaces for Innovation and Research in Academics (MIRA) national conference.
- Makerspace team collaborated with the College of Science to host the STEM & Pride maker event that was based on DeLaMare’s Make and Mingle events for faculty.
DEI Movie Night
The Libraries co-sponsored a DEI Movie Night in October 2023 in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The film was shown in the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center’s Wells Fargo Auditorium. Following the screening of the film, interactive dialogue took place to discuss the topic.
The Libraries contributed $200 towards public performance rights, and also curated a Featured eBook Collection on the topic. The Libraries partnered with the University’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Orvis School of Nursing. Approximately 50 people participated.