Given major cultural shifts around the world, libraries are pressed to address equitable and inclusive representation in collections, making how and where librarians find and purchase research materials vital. The session brings together the experiences of early, mid, and late career librarians from museum settings, academic libraries, and public libraries to join past and present perspectives in the field of art librarianship, specifically concerning acquisitions and DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility). The results of a recent survey focused on current acquisition practices that address issues of bias will be shared, along with subsequent recommendations that promote ethical, creative, and clear praxis for building exemplary collections among art libraries nationally. Future acquisition practices that are responsive to cultural shifts, trends, and needs will be discussed.
Sponsored by The Kohler Art Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison in honor of Lyn Korenic, Head Librarian 1999-2021Terra Foundation for American Art
