How can academic libraries better diversify their services to provide a truly equal and inclusive experience for all?
The Office for Students has set ambitious targets to achieve equality of opportunity in higher education putting universities under increasing scrutiny to tackle the persistent awarding gap amongst some student groups. Black students are of particular concern due to being consistently awarded lower grades than their White counterparts.
Planning is already in place among libraries to understand how they may better foster student success but substantial proportions of students still do not believe that their library provides an inclusive environment.
This research report will support you in:
- Building an evidence base of the lived experience of library services from an inclusivity viewpoint, and the role this plays in student outcomes.
- Identifying opportunities for new programmes or initiatives that could better support students from Black backgrounds
- Inform diversification initiatives across all library services
- Position the library as a key driver of inclusivity initiatives and a role model across the institution
