Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee has published its first annual report.

The report covers the year 2023-24. It celebrates the work we've done to promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Information Services (ISD) runs Library & IT services at the University. ISD set up its EDI Committee in 2023. It aims to create an inclusive environment for staff and students.

The report covers highlights from our first year, including our efforts to introduce:

• a calendar of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion events
• a cataloguing process for books or other resources when an author has changed their name
• adaptation of Library spaces for neurodiverse staff and students
• a student focus group on library accessibility
• Digital Accessibility Training and several new EDI-focussed training sessions for Library staff

Read the full Equality Diversity & Inclusion Committee Annual Report online with Sway.

Student Focus Group on Library Accessibility: join the movement!

Are you passionate about making our library more accessible for everyone? We're starting a student focus group on library accessibility, and we need your voice!

The student focus group will meet online and will discuss:

• barriers to library accessibility
• how the library's facilities and services could be made more accessible

We are looking for students with diverse accessibility needs to join our focus group. You can help us continue to champion EDI and create a Library where everyone feels valued. Students who participate in at least one meeting will receive a £20 Love2Shop voucher.

If you’re interested in getting involved, send an email to help@strath.ac.uk with the subject ‘EDI Committee’. You can also find out more about what the Library does to support students with additional needs.

After the success of our first workshop, we're giving everyone another chance to come along and get stuck in with making zines! 

What are zines and why should I make one? 

Zine [pronounced ‘zeen’] is short for magazine. Zines are small self-published works. They can be anything! Drawings, photos, comics, stuff about your favourite show, how your day has gone, or things you are passionate about changing. It can be about whatever you want it to be.  

Encouraging students to come to the workshop and try their hand at making a zine, Library staff member Liz said: “Sometimes people worry that they aren't creative, but everyone is creative! That’s the great thing about zines – there are no judges, no marks or grades, no rules. Whatever you make is unique to you and whatever you want it to be.

“We held the first zine-making workshop on World Mental Health Day in October. Now it’s Disability History Month, and as we approach the exam season it’s time to be more mindful of our mental health and wellbeing. Doing something creative and positive, just for fun, can be a great way to de-stress.”

At the previous workshop in October, friendly faces from the Library team guided our makers through creating their own zines starting with just a blank sheet of paper. 

If you want to give zine-making a go, join us in the Library between 2 and 4pm on Tuesday 26 November. You don't need to book a space and we'll provide everything you'll need.