Re-imagining Diversity at Occidental College

Near the end of Spring 2005, the students at Occidental became immersed in the topic of diversity. Demonstrations were held, discussions ensued, and many who had not contemplated diversity before began to engage in dialogue about it. As a result of this heightened awareness, and to ensure the continuation of this much needed exchange of ideas, the Occidental College Library has chosen to dedicate space to promoting issues of diversity.

The 2005 Mellon Grant Summer Interns are proud to present a display and collection of materials on diversity at Occidental College. The Mellon interns, Jennifer Masunaga, Cristina Bracamonte and Brett VanBenschoten along with supervisor, Marla Peppers, have reinvented the lobby of the Library Main floor to demonstrate outlets for diversity on campus. This exhibition includes a display showcasing organizations which actively promote diversity, a list of classes available to Occidental students wherein diversity can be studied, as well as a circulating collection of books which may help deepen understanding of diversity as a multi-faceted topic. Featured in this exhibition is a mural made by volunteers from the Occidental community during the 2005 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week. The mural, painted last year by ICC program assistants, students and the community, has been rededicated to the library's commitment to diversity. For those wanting to pursue the issue of diversity more deeply and to learn more about resources on and off campus, an online research guide has been developed and can be found on the library web page.

Exhibition: Display map featuring departments and resources for diversity on campus.

Mural: Painting symbolizing the campus' commitment to the goals of a unified diverse community.

Diversity Collection: Highlighted collection of materials on diversity from Occidental College's collection. This collection now stands in place of "New Books." Consequently, New Books have been moved to the ranges next to the McNaughton Collection on the main floor.

This project is the culmination of the work of the Mellon Librarian Recruitment Program 2005 Summer Interns; Cristina Bracamonte (06), Jennifer Masunaga (06), and Brett VanBenschoten (06). We would like to thank the staff of the Mary Norton Clapp Library and the Intercultural Community Center for their assistance, and in particular wish to thank the following individuals: Shirley Hallblade, Marla Peppers, Mark Braden, Robert Fung, Leila Pazargadi, Alice Hom and Sriyanthi Gunewardena.

Page last edited on 12/16/2011.
Reviewed by Nick Velkavrh on 9/19/2008.

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