Archived Event

Diversity in American Libraries: A View

Date : Sep 21, 2005
Start Time : 12 p.m. Eastern
Length : 00:57:27

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The presentation will focus on the history of diversity in libraries in the United States. It will show why the progress has been slow despite the efforts of many library associations and others to recruit men and women from minorities to the profession. It will be supported with statistics and views from a few library administrators and librarians. Dr. Sharma will discuss methods and practical ideas for institutions to improve the much needed diversity in the profession for the benefit of all users, library staff, administrators, and others.

Dr. Ravindra Nath Sharma ?Director of Library, West Virginia State University

R. N. (Ravindra Nath) Sharma is director of library, West Virginia State University. An active professional, he is the author/editor of ten books and over 250 articles, editorials, and book reviews. Sharma has presented 26 papers in national and international conferences. He has served and chaired many committes of the American Library Association (ALA), Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), and was president of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Associaiton (APALA).

He has won many awards, grants and honors including the ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award for 2005, and the Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award from the American Library Association for his significant achievements and contributions to international librarianship. Sharma has B.A.(Honors) and Master's degrees in History from the University of Delhi, India, a Master's in Library Science from the University of North Texas, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Information Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Sharma has been editor of Library Times International since 1984.