Library wins LEAD Award for second year
Posted: January 29, 2025
We are proud to share that the A.T. Memorial Library has been named a recipient of the 2025 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) Award. This marks A.T. Still Memorial Library’s second consecutive year receiving the honor. The LEAD Award honors academic libraries’ programs and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, equity, and inclusion. These include, but are not limited to research, technology, accessibility, exhibitions, and community outreach.
“ATSU is immensely proud of the work done by A.T. Still Memorial Library and thanks Insight
Into Diversity magazine for this recognition,” said ATSU Chancellor Craig Phelps, DO, ’84.
“Congratulations to library leadership and staff on our Missouri, Arizona, and California
campuses.”
“Receiving the LEAD Award for a second year highlights the dedication of library staff to the
library’s values of being a responsive, inclusive, and collaborative library for our University
community,” said ATSU Library Director Hal Bright, MLS, AHIP. “I am proud of the library’s
accomplishments, acknowledged by receiving the 2025 LEAD Award.”
We were selected because of the library’s multitude of projects in support of its diversity statement and action plan, including developing diverse collections, promoting open-source publications, designing and implementing equitable programming, and engaging with ATSU’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion, student organizations, University diversity initiatives, and committees.
Some of our projects included in the application included:
Diverse Collections: The library’s collections are diverse and tailored to align with the institution’s curriculum needs, ensuring equitable access to culturally rich and inclusive resources of our efforts such as Ethnic Diversity Source, eBook Subscription Diversity & Ethnic Studies, and LGBTQ+ Source. Additionally, initiatives like the Whole Person and Leisure Collection foster inclusion and belonging.
Open-Source Publications: We champion accessibility and equity by promoting open-source publications that remove financial barriers and accelerate knowledge sharing.
Equitable Programming: We design and implement programming that promotes DEIA values, creating educational opportunities and fostering dialogue on social justice and health equity topics, including showcasing exhibits to highlight the contributions of underrepresented groups, such as “Women Dentists: Changing the Face of Dentistry”.
Inclusive Hiring Practices: Our Inclusive Hiring and Cultural Proficiency Initiative
ensures our workforce reflects the diversity of our campus community, creating a more inclusive environment for all.
Thought Leadership: We share our success stories to inspire others, exemplified by our presentation at Lane Medical Library Stanford University School of Medicine and the Medical Library Association conference, “Beyond the Numbers and Shelves: Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in Action.”
Congratulations to our entire library staff on this significant achievement.