Exploring Perceptions on DEI Workplace Training Through a Self-Assessment Survey

Objectives: After a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team had been in place for three years, two leaders initiated a project to evaluate the perceptions of health science library faculty and staff on DEI topics and training. As one of the primary charges of the DEI Team is to provide training and programming, the overall goal of the assessment was to improve DEI workplace training offerings at the library by enabling the Team to better understand preferred training methods, whether previous DEI training was considered effective, and which DEI topics library workers felt most and least knowledgeable about.

Methods: The project team modified an existing survey on perceptions of DEI training which was discovered during a literature search. The survey was revised to better suit an academic library setting before being created in Qualtrics and distributed to all library faculty and staff via email, starting June 2nd, 2021. The anonymous mixed methods survey consisted of 18 questions and was available for a two-week period. The questions asked participants which training methods were preferred, whether they felt any benefit was gained from previous DEI training, which DEI-related topics respondents felt the most and least knowledgeable about, and what topics caused discomfort. Specific feedback and suggestions for training topics could be provided through free-response questions.

Results: Twenty survey responses were received, for a response rate of 90%. Most respondents (14) reported that DEI training was helpful and multiple perceived benefits were indicated. The responses for preferred training methods were varied, without any strong majority. Based on the questions about which DEI topics participants were least knowledgeable about and the free response topic suggestions, the following DEI areas were identified as the most of interest to library employees for further training: asexual inclusivity, critical race theory, critical librarianship, information needs of non-fluent English speakers, acculturation theories, social justice, and active allyship.

Conclusions: The DEI Team met to discuss the survey results and created an action plan for how to move forward. Future plans include introducing a DEI book club or movie club on some of the topics, searching for outside speakers to cover requested areas, and developing additional training sessions from scratch on a semesterly basis. In order to address the interest in various training methods, the Team also plans to explore facilitator training to better be able to host group discussions. Overall, the survey provided valuable feedback for the DEI Team and the responses will closely inform future training activities.