Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

ODLOS logo on colorful bokeh background

Mission

The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services supports library and information science workers in creating responsible and all-inclusive spaces that serve and represent the entire community. To accomplish this, we decenter power and privilege by facilitating conversations around access and identity as they impact the profession and those we serve. We use a social justice framework to inform library and information science workers' development of resources. We strive to create an association culture where these concerns are incorporated into everybody's everyday work.

Featured

ODLOS supports library and information science workers creating responsible and all-inclusive spaces that serve & represent the entire community.

Initiatives & partnerships promoting equity, diversity & inclusion in libraries and the library profession.

Find & connect with library experts in the areas of equity, diversity & inclusion.

Strategic planning, workshops, webinars, and other presentations for library audiences.

Through the Spectrum Scholarship Program, ALA affirms its commitment to diversity and inclusion by seeking the broadest participation of new ...

ODLOS works closely with 8 groups to serve marginalized voices and communities.

Initiatives

Resources, grants, and initiatives supporting literacy across the lifespan.

Read the latest EDI news every month.

Initiatives and programs geared to promote access to library services to all.

Engaging Multilingual Communities Guide

cover of booklet

Did you know that in the United States over 67 million people speak a different language rather than English at home? This guide is designed to support library personnel who serve multilingual patrons through events, collections, and enrichment opportunities.

Inside, you'll find examples of programs, services, and more for your community.

Download PDF

News

Intersections

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion eLearning

21
Jul
29
Aug

eLearning

TThis 6-week online course introduces students to the breadth of considerations, standards, and skills needed to successfully launch and manage a digital library program. The course will provide opportunity for

21
Jul
29
Aug

eLearning

This six-week course is an introduction to fundamental concepts of metadata.

21
Jul
15
Aug

eLearning

This 4 week course Fundamentals of Management is designed for new managers to build the skill set they need to successfully lead their department or organization, as well as support existing managers looking to

22
Jul

eLearning

The session will discuss ongoing work to streamline a workflow for preparing collections for digitization.

22
Jul

eLearning

Webinar

Learn how the physical design of a library affects inclusivity, featuring examples from recent branch design and more.

23
Jul

eLearning

In today’s digital age, libraries must go beyond traditional promotion to effectively reach and engage diverse audiences. Program participants will be provided the with the tools and strategies needed to market

28
Jul
05
Sep

eLearning

This six-week online course is a basic primer for library acquisitions concepts common to all library material formats.

28
Jul
22
Aug

eLearning

This 4-week online course provides an overview of acquiring, providing access to, administering, supporting, and monitoring access to electronic resources. The course offers a basic background in electronic

30
Jul

eLearning

Webinar

Learn why computational thinking skills are important for young children, how to access free multimedia resources, and how they have been used to run fun and engaging programs in libraries.

04
Aug
31
Aug

eLearning

This four-week course by librarian and gerontologist Fatima Perkins helps libraries engage older adults. It covers assessing needs, creating impactful programs, and includes mentorship for developing a

Contact Us

225 N Michigan Ave
Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60601
1-800-545-2433 ext. 4294
Fax: 312-280-3256
Email: [email protected]