Can you Find Yourself in the Stacks? Building Diverse Collections in Religion and Theology

Abstract

The past year has brought renewed attention to the need for academic library collections to support an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) in the curriculum and to reflect the increasing diversity among students and faculty.  The urgent calls for maximum inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of theological education have led collection development librarians to re-examine and re-calibrate their collecting practices.  Three librarians offer practical suggestions on how to approach the challenges of developing diverse collections by engaging with key stakeholders, aligning collecting with the institution’s mission and/or vision statements, utilizing approval plans, and promoting collections through outreach and diversity programming.