Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Guide

The IDEA Committee is working to improve the Caltech Library's collections with regard to inclusion and equity, with work being done in major areas:

Updating controlled vocabularies

Caltech Library systems (like LibSearch) use controlled vocabularies to help you find information. But what are controlled vocabularies? Do you have examples?

• Controlled vocabularies are lists of standard terms used to describe information in a library catalog.
• An example of a controlled vocabulary we use is Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).

Too often controlled vocabularies contain terms that harm and oppress minoritized groups and are slow to change. As part of the Caltech Library’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, we want to identify and update those terms in our systems.

Promoting equitable collections and collection development

Collections are at the heart of the work done by the Caltech Library. Contrary to library mythology, library collections are not neutral. Without conscious and concerted effort, library collections can easily amplify dominant voices and harm minoritized populations. To counteract this, the Caltech Library must:

• Develop inclusive collections policies;
• Purchase and promote materials that are outside of the western, white narratives that dominate science;
• Remove offensive materials from our existing collections.

The Programming Committee chooses and displays library resources in Sherman Fairchild Library. These resources cover inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility topics overlooked in academic libraries at STEM institutions and are available to students, faculty, and staff to check out. You can find details on the Caltech Library Resource Displays page.

March 2024

Women's History Month

March (18-24) 2024

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

February 2024

Black History Month

2023

Native American Heritage Month (November)

Hispanic Heritage Month (September - October)

Disability Pride (July)

Pride (June)

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)

Gaypril (April)

Women's History Month (March)

Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 13-19)

Black History Month (February)

The goal of the Programming Committee is to raise awareness of the library’s offerings, increase library usage, and create a larger footprint in the lives of Caltech students. The Committee aims to complement and enrich campus and community life through collaborations and partnerships to create cultural and civic programming. The Committee supports the library's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic priority and has hosted events as a part of that support:

• Stress Free Week (during midterms and finals)
• Summer Movie Nights
• Lunar New Year Celebrations
• APIDA+ Art Therapy
• Blind Date with a Book

The Caltech Library seeks to accommodate people with all physical, sensory, and mental disabilities.

As a part of this effort, the IDEA Committee created two working groups. The Facilities Working Group and the Website Working Group are charged with addressing all areas of accessibility to the Library’s services and physical and digital spaces.

Recently, the Facilities Working Group coordinated accessibility assessments of all library services and spaces. They developed full and detailed descriptions of our library locations including information about physical spaces, restrooms, quiet spaces, and lighting. You can find this information on our Accessibility page.

The working groups are dedicated to accessibility efforts, meet regularly, and will continue to work actively to make spaces and services available to all.