February 11, 2025
St. John’s University Libraries received the 2025 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 LEAD Award honors academic libraries’ higher education diversity initiatives and programs that encourage and support inclusive excellence and belonging for college students. These include, but are not limited to research, technology, accessibility, exhibitions, and community outreach.
“I am proud and honored to work with faculty, administrators, and staff in the University Libraries who are so committed to creating an equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment for our students,” said Caroline Fuchs ’04MLS, University Librarian, Dean of Libraries, and Professor in the St. John’s University Libraries.
Insight Into Diversity selected St. John’s University Libraries for its sustained commitment to innovation, equity, diversity, and inclusion. St. John’s will be featured in the March issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.
Under the leadership of Benjamin Turner, Associate Professor, Academic Outreach and Engagement Librarian, the University Libraries’ Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism Committee (LIDEA) continues to focus on four areas within the University Libraries: policies, services, collections, and spaces.
“LIDEA conducted a systematic review of its policies last year and revised them to emphasize inclusivity,” Mr. Turner explained. “These include a section on ‘Community Norms,’ which describes the library as a place of open inquiry, and where all people are treated with respect, regardless of their identities.”
Insight Into Diversity also applauded the efforts of Ann Jusino, Associate Professor and Librarian, who is leading a new initiative to identify and improve services for students with diagnosed conditions such as autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “This award is quite an honor,” she said. “I continue to work to improve the experience of neurodivergent students and faculty at St. John’s University through teaching and research.”
Lenore Pearlstein, Owner and Publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine, explained the motivation behind the award. “We know that many academic libraries are not always recognized for their dedication to diversity, inclusion, and access,” she said. “We are proud to honor these college and university libraries as role models for other institutions of higher education.”