The Kalamazoo College Library embraces collection strategies that reflect Association of College & Research Libraries’ Diversity Standards: Cultural Competencies for Academic Libraries, including Standard 4: “Librarians and library staff shall develop collections and provide programs and services that are inclusive of the needs of all persons in the community the library serves.” The library’s collections practices and systems “respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities, and protects and preserves the dignity of each” (ACRL Definition of Cultural Competence).

We take an equitable and inclusive approach to the Kalamazoo College Library collections in order to support the curriculum and reflect the entirety of the Kalamazoo College community. We value a range of perspectives, authorship, audience, and subject matter.

We consider the needs of under-resourced and historically excluded groups and recognize the linguistic and cultural diversity of the students, faculty, and staff we serve. As we purchase electronic resources, we advocate for technological solutions that ensure equitable collection access for all.

We regularly assess our collections to ensure they reflect the diversity of the College’s students, faculty, and staff. We advocate for inclusive cataloging that improves equity of access to materials and uses equitable and updated terminology. We use collection building practices that are transparent and consider faculty, staff, and student input.

This IDEA statement was inspired by the Collection Development Diversity Statement from the San Diego State University Library.