Princeton University Library Human Resources

The Library staff is a very diverse collection of people working together with a common mission. Communication and collegiality are what link us together. The Mosaics initiative is intended to help us understand and appreciate each other better by making us more sensitive to the backgrounds and cultures of our colleagues.

Events for 2004/05

Power, Privilege, and Difference
with Dr. Allan Johnson

How we can work together across divides of privilege, power, and difference in the struggle for a more just society?

Dr. Johnson is a writer, teacher, and public speaker who has worked on issues of privilege, oppression, and social inequality since receiving his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Michigan. He has almost 30 years of college teaching experience and has worked with a variety of schools and organizations. His books include The Forest and the Trees: Sociology as Life, Practice, and Promise (1997), The Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology: A User's Guide to Sociological Language , 2e (2000), The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy (Temple University Press, revised edition, 2005) and Privilege, Power, and Difference (McGraw-Hill, 2nd edition, 2005). For more information on D. Johnson and his work, see his website

Public lecture sponsored by the Pace Center
Oct. 18; 4:30-5:30 - Frist 302

Presentation specifically for Library Staff
Oct. 19; 9:30-11:30 - Firestone Staff Conference Room
The focus of the discussion will be privilege based on race.
There will also be an opportunity to join a Dialog Group to continue the discussion.

Race: the Power of an Illusion

"Race is one topic where we all think we're experts. Yet ask 10 people to define race or name "the races," and you're likely to get 10 different answers. Few issues are characterized by more contradictory assumptions and myths, each voiced with absolute certainty." Executive Producer Larry Adelman

This three-part documentary about race in society, science and history, was produced by California Newsreel and shown on PBS stations nationwide in April, 2003. PBS has produced a very full companion website with information about the series, background readings, interviews with experts, video clips, and interactive "games" that will surprise you about your knowledge of racial issues in America.

To continue our MOSAICS programming and Dialog@theLibrary, we will present each hour long episode at lunchtime, followed by a half hour discussion.

The Difference Between Us
Thursday, June 9; 12:00-1:30 pm
Chancellor Green Room 105
Discussion facilitators: Steve Adams & Luisa Paster

This episode shows that despite what we've always believed, the world's peoples simply don't come bundled into distinct biological groups. We look at several scientific discoveries that illustrate why humans cannot be subdivided into races and how there isn't a single characteristic, trait - or even one gene - that can be used to distinguish all members of one race from all members of another.

The Story We Tell
Tuesday, June 14; 12:00-1:30
Chancellor Green Room 105
Discussion facilitators: Romeo Bautista & Linda Oppenheim

It's true that race has always been with us, right? Wrong. Ancient peoples stigmatized "others" on the grounds of language, custom, class, and especially religion, but they did not sort people according to physical differences. It turns out that the concept of race is a recent invention, only a few hundred years old, and the history and evolution of the idea are deeply tied to the development of the U.S.

The House We Live In
Monday, June 20; 12:00-1:30 pm
Chancellor Green Room 105
Discussion facilitators: Linda Oppenheim & Mary Wieland

If race doesn't exist biologically, what is it? And why should it matter? Our final episode, The House We Live In, is the first film about race to focus not on individual attitudes and behavior but on the ways our institutions and policies advantage some groups at the expense of others. Its subject is the "unmarked" race: white people. We see how benefits quietly and often invisibly accrue to white people, not necessarily because of merit or hard work, but because of the racialized nature of our laws, courts, customs, and perhaps most pertinently, housing.

Events for 2003/04

Dialogue@theLibrary with Cris Cullinan
Issues of socio-economic class

Cris Cullinan is the Training and Development Administrator at University of Oregon and a nationally recognized expert in the field of diversity. Sponsored by the Library and Dialogue@Princeton (Office of the Vice President for Campus Life), Dr. Cullinan will be on campus for three days to share her expertise and to help us set up Dialogue groups on the topic of socioeconomic diversity.

In a Class By Ourselves: Why Higher Education Needs to Talk About the Realities of Economic Inequity
October 7, 2003; 9:00 - 11:00 am
Dodds Auditorium

Talking Across the Great Divide: How Do We Create a Learning Environment in Dialogues About Class?
Dialogue Group Facilitators' training and luncheon
October 8, 2003; 10 am -1:00 pm
Carl A. Fields Center, Liberation Hall
repeated Thursday, October 9; 10 am -1:00 pm
Firestone East Room (2nd floor, near Human Resources)

This workshop will help facilitators plan a series of dialogues exploring class issues by 1) demonstrating exercises that can be used to generate discussion; 2) identifying some of the critical issues that can arise when exploring class and class status; 3) discuss possible sequencing of activities for moving a dialogue group through these critical areas; and 4) explore the possible outcomes of such dialogues.

Class Issues in the Workplace and the Academy
a campus-wide workshop
October 9, 2003; 2:30-5:00 pm
Carl A. Fields Center, Liberation Hall

This workshop is designed to provide insights into our conscious and unconscious reactions to perceived socio-economic class and class status.

Dialogue groups on issues of socio-economic class

Facilitator training
October, 2003-January, 2004
Carl A. Fields Center, Liberation Hall
Trainer: Fleurette King and Cris Cullinan

Kickoff lunch
February 10, 2004; 12:00-1:30 PM

Dialogue Group meetings
February - April, 2004

Topics include: Exploring the definitions and indicators of class, Looking at income and wealth in the US, Exploring the way we think about class issues, How do the realities and the way we think about class play out in the University and in our workplace here in the Library?

Dialogue@Princeton - Lunchtime Substance:
A Documentary & Discussion Series on Socio-Economic Status and Class

Homes & Hands: Community Land Trusts in Action
April 22, Frist Center, 302
Homes & Hands: Community Land Trusts in Action is the inspiring story of three communities where low-income residents have found an empowering new way to make housing permanently affordable to people who are usually left out of the American dream. Community land trusts (CLTs) take a new, progressive approach to the ownership of land and housing.

People Like Us: Social Class in America
April 27 Part 1 Frist Center, 302 & April 29 Part 2 Robertson Hall, bowl 1
People Like Us: Social Class in America shows how social class plays a role in the lives of all Americans, whether they live in Park Avenue penthouses, Appalachian trailer parks, bayou houseboats or suburban gated communities. The documentary travels across the country presenting stories that will resonate with viewers regardless of where they see themselves on the social spectrum - stories of family traditions, class mobility, and different lifestyle choices. An exciting cast of characters and commentators help make the connections between daily life and the larger issues of class in America.

A Day's Work, A Day's Pay
May 6, Frist Center 302
A Day's Work, A Day's Pay follows three welfare recipients in New York City from 1997 to 2000 as they participate in the largest welfare-to-work program in the nation. When forced to work at city jobs for well below the prevailing wage and deprived of the chance to go to school, these individuals decide to fight back, demanding programs that will actually help them move off of welfare and into jobs.

Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt
May 13, Frist Center 302
In the late 1970's, a mysterious new disease began infecting and killing gay men. Common Threads tells the powerful story of the first decade of the AIDS epidemic, as told through the lives of five very diverse individuals who shared a common fate. Using the monumental NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt as its central metaphor, the film weaves together personal memories and television news stories to expose the U.S. government's failure to respond to the growing epidemic, and the vibrant protest movement that was born as a result.

Events for 2002/03

Diversity: What's in it for the Academic Library?

September 24, 2002; 9:15-10:30 AM
McCosh room 46
A presentation by Janice Simmons-Welburn

Formerly the Psychology Librarian at Princeton from 1980 to 1984, Janice Simmons-Welburn is currently Director for Central Public Services and Facilities at the University of Iowa Libraries. She has written widely on issues of diversity, human resources, library instruction, and staff development. In a thought-provoking presentation, Janice will help us to become aware of our own cultures and show us how we can make our differences work in the workplace.

African American Scientists in Profile

October 25, 2002; 10:00-11:00 AM
Betts Auditorium in the Architecture School
A presentation by Mitchell Brown

Mitchell Brown, the Head of the Math/Physics Library, will speak about profiles of African American scientists from The Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences, a website which he created and which profiles African American men and women who have contributed to the advancement of science and engineering.

Interviewing for a Diverse Workplace

November 21, 2002; 1:00-2:30 PM
Murray-Dodge East Room
An interactive workshop facilitated by Lila Fredenburg and Luisa Paster

The demographics of librarianship require that we be in constant recruitment and interview mode, always searching for and welcoming the best candidates from all cultures and walks of life. In this workshop we will discuss recruiting, reading applications with diversity in mind, and interview techniques.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Seminar

December 19, 2002; 2:00-3:00 PM
Staff Conference Room
A presentation by Jason Wieland, Field Representative from the NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

This seminar will provide us with some insight into issues of deafness and help facilitate better communication with deaf and hard of hearing Library staff, Library users, and friends and neighbors. The workshop will be presented in sign language and interpreted for hearing staff.

Communicating Across Differences

An interactive presentation by the Cornell Interactive Theatre Ensemble (CITE)

January 15, 2003; 9:00-12:00 AM
January 15, 2003; 1:30-4:30 PM
Peyton Hall Auditorium

April 2, 2003; 9:00-12:00 AM
April 3, 2003; 9:00AM-1:00 PM - "level 2" for supervisors
McAlpin Rehearsal Room

The professional actors from CITE will present two scenarios portraying tense situations in the academic workplace. Participants will then be encouraged to question the actors, while still in character, about their motivations and emotional responses. A facilitator weaves this all together into forceful lessons on human behavior. For more information see the CITE website.

What is Sexual Harassment ?

February 7, 2003; 10:00-12:00 AM
February 11, 2003; 2:00-4:00 PM
March 4, 2003; 2:00-4:00 PM
Staff Conference Room

A workshop presented by Thema Bryant from the University's SHARE Office

Prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace is everyone's responsibility, but sometimes it is difficult to recognize and understand what sexual harassment actually is. This workshop is important to all staff and especially vital for supervisors to be aware of the complexities of the issue.

Dialogue@theLibrary

Informational presentation by Fleurette King from the Office of Campus Life
February 21, 2003; 10:00-11:30 AM
Staff Conference Room

Training session for volunteer facilitators by Fleurette King from the Office of Campus Life
February 26, 2003; 10:00-12:00 AM
February 27, 2003; 1:00-3:00 PM
Rare Books West Room

Initial group meetings
March 19, 2003; 10:30-12:00 AM
March 26, 2003; 10:30-12:00 AM
Frist Multipurpose Room

The Library is in the forefront of participation in the new campus initiative called Dialogue@Princeton, which is being coordinated by Fleurette King from the Office of Campus Life. The goals of the program are stated on the webpage: "Seeking to amplify discussions about diversity and increase the number of voices in this essential dialogue, the University has developed a new program to foster a more open and welcoming campus
environment."

The technique that will be used is "sustained dialogue" - small group discussions, regularly scheduled and led by volunteer facilitators. This will enable us to continue the discussions that we began with the Cornell Interactive Theatre Ensemble. At the informational session, Fleurette will explore with us how we might set up some discussion groups within the Library. The following week she will train volunteer facilitators on the techniques of leading small group discussions.

Working and supervising in a diverse environment

Working in a diverse environment
Friday, May 16, 2003; 10:00-11:30 AM
Murray Dodge East Room
A presentation by Joann Mitchell, Vice Provost for Administration

Joann Mitchell is in the forefront of helping members of the University community work smoothly together. In this presentation she will address issues of collegiality and supervision in a diverse workplace. The program is open to all Library staff, and will include ample time for questions.

Supervising in a diverse workplace
Thursday, May 22, 2003; 2:00-3:30 PM
Firestone Staff Conference Room
A question and answer session for supervisors led by Fred Clarke, Director of Employee Relations

As Director of Employee Relations, Fred Clarke sees both the advantages of a diverse workforce and the tensions that it sometimes creates. For this program Fred will be available to answer any questions that you might have regarding supervision in the Library.