Musselman Library’s Statement on Diversity and Inclusion
Updated November 29, 2021
As staff members and individuals, we seek every day to learn, grow, and change for the better; to be aware of the past, critical of the present, and hopeful for the future. We do this by developing collections that represent a broad range of viewpoints; making materials as relevant and accessible as possible; creating exhibits, programs, and learning opportunities that express the values of inclusion; diversifying our professional and student staff; partnering with campus clubs and offices; and ensuring that our physical space is safe, inviting, and stimulating for all.
Among the basic convictions guiding our work at Musselman Library are
that systemic inequalities function both consciously and unconsciously, passively and actively, in this country and on this campus;
that libraries must work to resist and dismantle unjust discrimination in all forms;
and that each member of the Gettysburg College community deserves respect, support, and welcoming, in whatever ways we can provide them.
Because we’re part of the very system that must be changed, our awareness will always be partial, our vision biased. We wish to learn as well as educate. Therefore, we ask for feedback, guidance, and advice from all segments and members of the College community.
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Committee of Musselman Library, established in 2016, encourages awareness of issues relating to diversity and inclusion at the library. Our position is supported by Gettysburg College’s mission as well as the American Library Association’s Core Values of Librarianship. At Gettysburg, diversity includes but is not limited to age, country of origin, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, geography, learning differences, political beliefs, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic level.
Current diversity initiatives include:
Below you will find a list of library guides related to Diversity and Inclusion topics created by the staff of Musselman Library.
Civic Engagement Guide - information on local officials, voter registration, and other aspects of informed citizenship
#GBCTalks Guide - book-based discussion program designed to facilitate conversation about difficult issues in the Gettysburg College community
LGBTQ Guide - student-centered research guide dedicated to LGBTQA resources at Musselman Library
Open Education Guide - information about library support for open textbooks and other affordable resources
Affordable Course Materials - information for students and instructors on how to reduce thes costs of assigned course materials
Explore examples of student and staff activism at Gettysburg College supported by the library.
What We Did Here: Activism at Gettysburg College - crowd-sourced digital collection devoted to documenting the discourse that has occurred on campus surrounding issues of race, gender, sexuality, political affiliation, religion, and class
Musselman Library’s Collection Development Policy “empowers our community of learners to discover and engage with the world’s collected knowledge, to explore creative and intellectual pursuits, and to actively participate in research and scholarship.”
The purpose of the collection is not only to support the curriculum of Gettysburg College, but also to reflect the library’s values surrounding diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Sarah Blumig ’10 has recently donated funds to the library to purchase novels with diversity-related themes, saying, “One of the best parts of a Gettysburg education is the ability to meet and learn from people of different races, sexual orientations, religions, and cultures other than your own.... I am glad students and faculty will have even more access to diverse literature because of my donation.” To learn more about her donation, see the Spring 2019 Library Newsletter, page 16.