CWRU's University Libraries received the 2024 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The campus libraries include the Kelvin Smith Library, the Judge Ben C. Green Law Library, Lillian and Milford Harris School of Applied Social Sciences Library, and the Cleveland Health Sciences Libraries - Allen Memorial Medical Library and Health Education Campus Library. The LEAD Award honors academic libraries’ programs and initiatives that encourage and support DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) across their campus. These include, but are not limited to research, technology, accessibility, exhibitions, and community outreach. Case Western Reserve University will be featured, along with 55 other recipients, in the March 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.
“Over the past two years I've been very impressed with the enthusiasm I've seen from the staff in the implementation of accessibility and diversity efforts,” said Vice Provost and Lindseth Family University Librarian Yolanda Cooper. “It's great to see
Kelvin Smith Library and all of the university libraries recognized for helping to create an inclusive environment for the CWRU community.”
“We know that many academic libraries are not always recognized for their dedication to diversity, inclusion, and access” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine. “We are proud to honor these college and university libraries as role models for other institutions of higher education.”