DEIA for Libraries: Inclusive Practices & Alternatives for Librarians

 DEIA for Libraries: Inclusive Practices & Alternatives for Librarians

Below is a DEIA-inspired thesaurus adjusted for librarians who may need to address concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in more neutral or subtle language. Each concept is paired with library-oriented synonyms or alternative phrases to help convey the same ideas without explicitly using specific DEIA terms. Practical library examples are included to show how these ideas apply in daily operations.

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Accessibility

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “User-Friendly Experience”
  • “Barrier-Free Access”
  • “Inclusive Services”

Library Context:

• Designing library websites and digital resources that patrons of various abilities can use without specialized tools.
• Ensuring aisles, shelves, restrooms, and reading areas accommodate patrons using wheelchairs or mobility devices.

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Affinity Group

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Peer Network”
  • “Support Group”
  • “Professional Community”

Library Context:

• Forming a “Children’s Literacy Network” among staff who focus on youth programming.
• Creating a “Tech Champions Group” to support staff learning new technologies.

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Ally / Allyship

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Supportive Partnerships”
  • “Collaborative Efforts”
  • “Advocacy in Action”

Library Context:

• Partnering with community organizations to ensure marginalized residents have access to educational resources.
• Standing up for colleagues or patrons when they face unfair treatment or barriers.

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Belonging

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Community Connection”
  • “Inclusive Atmosphere”
  • “Sense of Welcome”

Library Context:

• Creating seating areas that encourage patrons to stay, meet, and connect.
• Offering activities that celebrate local traditions and cultures.

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Bias (Conscious or Unconscious)

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Preconceived Notions”
  • “Unexamined Assumptions”
  • “Inherent Tendencies”

Library Context:

• Examining how personal preferences might shape collection development or reference recommendations.
• Reviewing hiring practices to ensure candidate selection is based on qualifications, not stereotypes.

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BIPOC / People of Color

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Community Members from Diverse Backgrounds”
  • “Patrons of Various Cultural Identities”
  • “Racially and Ethnically Varied Populations”

Library Context:

• Outreach programs to engage community members of various cultural backgrounds.
• Curating collections that reflect literature and experiences of multiple racial and ethnic groups.

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Cultural Competence / Cultural Humility

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Community Awareness”
  • “Cultural Literacy”
  • “Ongoing Learning About Patrons’ Needs”

Library Context:

• Training sessions on the cultural traditions of your local community to guide reference services.
• Building awareness that library events and communication may need to be adapted for different language or cultural norms.

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Diversity

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Broad Representation”
  • “Variety in Perspectives”
  • “Wide-Ranging Voices and Identities”

Library Context:

• Seeking out materials from small publishers or lesser-known authors to broaden the collection.
• Encouraging staff with different skill sets and backgrounds to share their expertise.

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Equity

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Fair Access”
  • “Balanced Opportunities”
  • “Appropriate Resource Allocation”

Library Context:

• Distributing library budget so each branch can meet unique neighborhood needs (e.g., technology vs. children’s programming).
• Implementing fine forgiveness or flexible loan policies for low-income patrons.

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Equality

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Same Treatment for All”
  • “Uniform Standards”

Library Context:

• Having consistent library policies across all branches regarding open hours or computer usage.
• Recognizing that uniform rules may need complementary “Fair Access” measures to address different needs.

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Historically Underrepresented / Marginalized Groups

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Underserved Populations”
  • “Communities Needing Additional Support”
  • “Groups Facing Systemic Barriers”

Library Context:

• Considering multilingual signage and translation services for non-English-speaking patrons.
• Offering mobile library services in neighborhoods with limited transportation options.

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Inclusion

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Open Invitation”
  • “Welcoming Atmosphere”
  • “Making Room for Everyone”

Library Context:

• Creating programming caters to various interests, abilities, ages, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ensuring programming times accommodate working adults, caregivers, or students.

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Intersectionality

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Multi-Faceted Perspectives”
  • “Complex Identities”
  • “Overlapping Needs”

Library Context:

• Recognizing a single patron may need resources in various languages and mobility challenges.
• Understanding how someone’s age, race, economic status, or disability can affect their library experience.

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Microaggressions

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Subtle Offenses”
  • “Everyday Slights”
  • “Implicit Hurts”

Library Context:

• Training staff to avoid assumptions about a patron’s reading level or language ability.
• Fostering respectful communication in staff meetings and public interactions.

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Power Dynamics

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Influence Structures”
  • “Organizational Hierarchies”
  • “Decision-Making Patterns”

Library Context:

• Remember how senior staff or administrators might inadvertently overshadow new ideas from junior staff or interns.
• Inviting input from front-line librarians in strategic planning to balance decision-making.

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Privilege

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Uneven Advantages”
  • “Inherent Benefits”
  • “Additional Societal Supports”

Library Context:

• Understanding why patrons more easily participate in library programs (e.g., flexible work schedules, reliable internet access).
• Recognizing one’s professional background or network might ease access to grants or collaborations.

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Representation

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Reflecting the Wider Community”
  • “Inclusive Visibility”
  • “Broad Spectrum of Identities”

Library Context:

• Displaying artwork or featured authors that speak to the community’s multiple cultural traditions.
• Hiring staff from different backgrounds to reflect a diverse patron base.

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Safe Space / Brave Space

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Supportive Environment”
  • “Respectful Discussion Area”
  • “Welcoming Zone”

Library Context:

• Setting aside spaces for quiet study or sensitive group discussions (e.g., mental health support sessions).
• Establishing guidelines that encourage civil discourse at library events.

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Tokenism

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Surface-Level Inclusion”
  • “Symbolic Representation”
  • “Check-the-Box Efforts”

Library Context:

• We want to avoid a situation in which one staff member from an underrepresented group is always portrayed as “the face” of diverse programming.
• Ensuring library initiatives have meaningful involvement and shared decision-making rather than mere optics.

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Underrepresented Groups

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Communities with Limited Resources”
  • “Patrons Less Reached by Services”
  • “Populations Requiring Additional Outreach”

Library Context:

• Offering bookmobile stops in rural or transportation-poor areas.
• Providing specialized outreach or materials for incarcerated individuals, refugees, or older adults in retirement communities.

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Universal Design

• Neutral or Subtle Alternatives:
  • “Inclusive Facility Planning”
  • “Design for Everyone”
  • “All-User Access Strategies”

Library Context:

• Ensuring all signage uses clear icons and high-contrast text.
• Installing adjustable computer desks and well-lit reading stations.

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Using This Resource in a Library Setting

1. Policy and Planning: Substitute potentially sensitive DEIA terminology with neutral or context-specific language (e.g., “balanced opportunities” instead of “equity”) in strategic plans or public-facing documents if direct DEIA references are discouraged.

2. Staff Training: Encourage staff to learn the underlying principles behind these terms (e.g., fair access, multi-faceted patron needs) and apply them in daily interactions without necessarily using charged vocabulary.

3. Programming & Collections: When developing programs, displays, or events, reference these concepts in your planning notes to ensure broad representation, user-friendly design, and a welcoming atmosphere for all patrons.

4. Community Engagement: Use approachable language (“Open Invitation,” “Supportive Environment”) to communicate inclusion in flyers, social media, or newsletters, helping patrons feel comfortable and valued.

By adopting these library-oriented alternatives, you can uphold the spirit and principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility—while remaining sensitive to the specific constraints or challenges your library may face in using explicit DEIA language.