Why Your DEI Programs Are Not Working; American Libraries, January 23, 2022

 Sanhita SinhaRoy , American Libraries; Why Your DEI Programs Are Not Working

"In her 15-minute Shop Talk session, “3 Reasons Your DEI Programs Are Not Working,” Elaina Norlin presented research and anecdotes from consulting on DEI issues to attendees of ALA’s LibLearnX virtual conference on January 23.

Norlin, author of The Six-Step Guide to Library Worker Engagement (ALA Editions, 2021) and professional development and DEI program coordinator for the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, began by noting that DEI programming is a billion-dollar business. In 2020, it was worth $8 billion and growing...

She suggested looking at three key areas within your institution:

Organization Climate. “It’s where your feelings are.” It’s the vibe or feel of your organization and where the DEI work resides. “It’s a snapshot.”

Organizational Norms. These are the rules of your organization. They dictate your day-to-day operations: your policies, procedures, strategic plans, and vision statements. “This is where the people-over-policy stuff comes into play.” Some rules and policies may have been written more than 25 years ago and may no longer fit how your organization operates today.

Organizational Culture. This is “the heart of the work.” This is where your company’s unwritten rules and expectations exist. This is where previous injustices, traumas, and status quos live. Even though you can’t necessarily see or feel it, culture “shapes the climate.” The problem: “You can’t change what’s unwritten.”"