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

This guide represents the steps the Caltech Library is taking toward promoting and sustaining inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

Books

The Caltech Library acknowledges that collection development has a history of systemic bias in how information is created, collected, and shared.

In an effort to address bias within our own collection, we will endeavor to build the type of collection that's diverse, inclusive, and equitable for our research community. This includes, but is not limited to: gender, age, race, ethnicity, sex, education, religion, ability, and culture. Please suggest a purchase if you don't see a resource that should be here.

The Programming and IDEA Committees have put together lists of available resources (below). We recognize that identities intersect and these types of resource lists often do not address these intersections. Please contact us if you would like a resource moved or duplicated.

Click on the linked text to view a specific list: 

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage   /  Black History  /  Hispanic HeritageLGBTQ+ Pride  /  Native American Heritage  /  Neurodiversity Awareness  /  Transgender Visibility  /  Women's History

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage

Black History

Hispanic Heritage

LGBTQ+ Pride

Native American Heritage

Neurodiversity Awareness

 

You can find additional books at the Autism Books by Autistic Authors Project. The project "is an ongoing attempt to catalog all books written about autism by Autistic authors." Plus the Ed Wiley Autism Acceptance Lending Library "offers books, resources and information on autism from a neurodiversity and disability rights and justice perspective."

You may also find a couple of articles useful: Dr. Temple Grandin on Visual Thinking and the Value of Neurodiversity and How Are You Celebrating Autism In Your Libraries In April? Plus San Jose State University hosted an informative presentation called Neurodiversity and College. And finally, Nick Walker offers a engaging blog on neurodiversity and Neuroqueer Theory.

Transgender Visibility

Women's History

Ebooks & audiobooks

In response to requests for diversity-related materials, we are testing out a new platform called OverDrive/Libby. 

Please see our guide on accessing OverDrive/Libby resources for information on getting access to audiobooks and ebooks. You can also download the Libby app on your phone and use your Caltech credentials access these resources.

Ebooks

Audiobooks

Resources for book clubs

Some of the Library's ebooks have licenses that allow an unlimited number of people to read the book at the same time. These ebooks are good for book clubs and allow for multiple users at the same time:

Databases

Use our database subscriptions to learn more about Black and Indigenous history in America, philosophy, and race and science. Learn about Indigenous Philosophy of the Americas and African-American Philosophy in PhilPapers or explore SagePub's Structural Racism and Police Violence pathfinder.