Examination into Building Diverse Distinctive Collections: a Survey of ARL Institutions’ Acquisitions Practices and Perceptions

Abstract

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The knowledge production system from creation to dissemination and consumption has entrenched notions of whiteness as the default, and these systemic practices impact the ways in which organizations develop their collections of distinction. Foregrounding the voices of information professionals in acquisitions, collection development, and curation, the researchers will share the survey results of the Association of Research Libraries member institutions’ acquisitions infrastructure and how they influence or prohibit the building of diverse collections. The discussion will equip special collections information professionals with guiding principles and best practices that can be used to posit and inform new ways of centering marginalized voices through collections, and ways to incorporate the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility into institutional acquisitions programs.