<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div><div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex" class="gmail_quote"><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">The problem is: how many library vendors are there who are diverse or consider diversity as part of their
mission and employment? Maybe we should begin asking.</font><br></blockquote><br>I also think this is a worthwhile question. I think we could start with contacting the ALA Office for Diversity to see if any work has been done in this area. <a href="http://www.ala.org/offices/diversity" target="_blank">http://www.ala.org/offices/diversity</a><br>
<br></div>As far as addressing Max's concern as to where to spend our dollars, I know I have used RFP processes that give points for a company having a specific policy on diversity, for environmental sustainability, using unionized labor, having staff physically located in Oregon, and other categories that reflect a company's policies and priorities rather than just the goods and services it provides. None of these things got very many points in the RFP, as cost and services provided are usually considered the most important factors.<br>
<br>They are also the kinds of things, in a formal RFP process, that weigh towards larger companies that have the infrastructure to address these issues. If that is worrisome to you, you can also give points or an exemption for small companies. Talk to your contracting department!<br>
<br>To identify companies to contract with to begin with, there is the State of Oregon's O<span><span><span>ffice of Economic & Business Equity (</span></span></span><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/gov/MWESB/Pages/index.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.oregon.gov/gov/MWESB/Pages/index.aspx</a>), and the Business Xpress database (formerly "Minorities, Women and Emerging Small Businesses"?) at <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/business/Pages/index.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.oregon.gov/business/Pages/index.aspx</a>.<br>
</div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>These are the basic things we can be doing to ensure that public contracting dollars go to firms that value diversity. I don't know that it is enough.<br>
<br></div><div>I personally value diversity because social equality is a moral imperative. Thank you Max and everyone else for speaking up. <br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail_extra">
<br clear="all"><div>Caleb Tucker-Raymond<br><br>Statewide Reference Service Coordinator<br>Multnomah County Library<br>(503) 988-5438<br><a href="mailto:calebt@multco.us" target="_blank">calebt@multco.us</a><br><a href="http://www.answerland.org" target="_blank">www.answerland.org</a></div>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jun 10, 2014 at 11:07 PM, Linda Ueki Absher <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:absherl@pdx.edu" target="_blank">absherl@pdx.edu</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div dir="ltr"><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif">As librarian who is
biracial and bicultural, I am disheartened to read some of the reactions
in this thread. In my day-to-day life, I am
reminded that I and others, who aren't part of the racial majority
in this state, are often overlooked, downplayed and even ignored. Most of this is unconscious or unintentional, because our culture
is geared towards the majority, which is and has been white. For
the average person who has been so imbued with seeing things via
the dominant culture, it's extremely difficult to realize that
seemingly innocuous comments (i.e., "you speak English
really well" or "what are you?") and actions can be defeating or soul crushing,
particularly if you've been hearing or seeing them for as long as
you can remember. <br>
<br>
Racism isn't always someone screaming racial epithets or
threatening minorities physically or emotionally. For many of us
it's the small stuff, the stuff that may seem innocent or even
earnest, but have a tremendous impact in our lives. <br>
<br>
And as for Max Macias' comment: I'm going to admit I wasn't comfortable with
the hashtags, but I do think he asks a very good question about
how we evaluate vendors who provide services to our users, many of
who are people of color. The problem is: how many library vendors are there who are diverse or consider diversity as part of their
mission and employment? Maybe we should begin asking.<br>
<br>
Just had to add my two cents. Thanks--<br>
<br>
linda ueki absher<br>
<br>
</font><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jun 10, 2014 at 10:08 AM, Tony <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:tony_greiner@hotmail.com" target="_blank">tony_greiner@hotmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div><div dir="ltr">I wish I could take credit for this, but it is the work of another, who thought it appropriate for the recent discussions:<div><br></div><div>HORROR!</div><div><br><div style="line-height:18px;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
Someone's feathers are all in a ruffle!</div><div style="line-height:18px;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">And it's causing a PC kerfuffle!</div><div style="line-height:18px;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
Perhaps blood should be spilt,</div><div style="line-height:18px;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Since there's not enough guilt!</div><div style="line-height:18px;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
As for me, I'll have wine and a truffle.</div><div style="line-height:18px;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></div><div style="line-height:18px;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
<br></div><div style="line-height:18px;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:13px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></div>**<a href="mailto:tony_greiner@hotmail.com" target="_blank">tony_greiner@hotmail.com</a>**</div> </div>
</div>
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<br></blockquote></div><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>// linda ueki absher //<br><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,'Nimbus Sans L',sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:15px;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline!important;float:none">Reference Librarian for the Humanities</span><br>
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