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NYC School Librarian Guidebook: Diversity Audits

Resources to examine our inherent bias, promote personal awareness, and help us build collections for our students that reflect themselves and the world around them.

What is a diversity audit?

A diversity audit is an inventory of a collection designed to measure the amount of diversity within the collection. It is a tool used to analyze collection data to make ensure we include a wide variety of points of view, experiences and representations within a collection. Reflective practioners realize it is now more than ever,to intentionally, and even aggressively, be working to diversify our collections. 

Getting Started

Before starting a diversity audit, it's important to analyze the information currently available and to develop a plan for collecting the information that's not. Begin by answering the following questions:

  1. How well do you know your community? Gather as much recent statistical and anecdotal data about the community you serve as you can.
  2. Begin assessing for gaps.  Use surveys, polls  or other anecdotal data to gather information about your collection. What do you think ia missing?

Audit at the MLK Campus

Diversity Infographic Describing Race and Sexuality in Publishing

The DOE is committed to creating and supporting learning environments that reflect the diversity of New York City. To ensure that our website serves the needs of everyone, it follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA. That means the sites work for people with disabilities, including those who are blind and partially sighted. We are committed to creating accessible digital experiences for all website visitors. If you require assistance with any documents on our site, please please call 917-521-3654, email mdodes2@schools.nyc.gov, or mail to: Michael Dodes, 4360 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10033 for assistance.