Conference on Academic Library Management

Many academic libraries are interested in DEI-principled hiring processes and hiring to diversify their staff, but according to people applying and interviewing for positions, hiring practices are still not optimized for inclusivity. Equitable hiring practices begin with the job posting and continue into onboarding, while simultaneously doing the difficult work of identifying institutional inequities. The University of Wyoming has piloted a Search Equity Advisor program that uses best practices gleaned from current literature and lessons from other universities to make hiring practices more equitable for applicants. The goal of this program is to not only attract a pool of applicants from diverse backgrounds and make the process friendly to those from any race, nationality, religious affiliation, age, culture, gender expression, and sexuality, but also to create a fair process for candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, single parents, non-native English speakers, veterans, or anyone who is disadvantaged by common academic hiring practices. This presentation will include both elements that can be included immediately, and practical suggestions for initiating long-term institutional changes around hiring in your academic library. Attendees with also have access to a list of resources to begin evaluating their own hiring process against current best practices.