Registration Closed: "Building the Future We Want: Centering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Libraries." - Elaine L Westbrooks: Third in a Four Part Series of the KSL 25TH Anniversary Celebration

• Presentation Title: Building the Future We Want: Centering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Libraries
• Presentation Abstract: Library staff and faculty have a responsibility to dismantle the systems of oppression within their organizations. Westbrooks will talk about her experiences launching a DEI Initiative at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and how to make DEI initiatives to be strategic, transformational, and an integral part of a library’s mission.
• About the speaker: Elaine L. Westbrooks has been Vice Provost for University Libraries and University Librarian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 2017. The UNC library system encompasses 10 libraries, nearly 10 million volumes, and 300 librarians, archivists and staff. Previously Westbrooks held leadership positions at the University of Michigan, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and Cornell University. She serves on the boards of the Digital Public Library of America and the HathiTrust Digital Library, and she co-edited “Metadata in Practice” with Diane Hillmann (2004) and “Academic Library Management: Case Studies” with Tammy Nickelson Dearie and Michael Meth (2017).

4. Kepler at 450: An Interdisciplinary Celebration (multiple speakers). November 18, 2021. 

• Background: Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) was one of the first to argue for the sun’s centrality in the solar system. His work was interdisciplinary, not only about astronomy and physics, but he also described musical harmonies that the planets orchestrated in their paths around the sun, offered political advice to the Holy Roman Emperor, and agonized over theological doctrines that led to his excommunication. KSL Special Collections recently acquired a valuable 1621 edition of Mysterium Cosmographicum, which laid the groundwork for many of Kepler’s pursuits. This is the 400th anniversary of the publication of the book and the 450th anniversary of Kepler’s birth. Cosponsored by Kelvin Smith Library, Baker-Nord and the CWRU Departments of History and Music.
• Speakers from CWRU: Peter Bennett (Music); William Claspy (KSL Special Collections); Chris Haufe (Philosophy); Harsh Mathur (Physics); Jesse Berezovsky (Physics); Stacy McGaugh (Astronomy); and Aviva Rothman (History).
• On the evening of November 18, the CWRU Collegium, Early Music Singers, Baroque Vocal Ensembles, and Baroque Chamber Ensembles come together at the Maltz Performing Arts Center to present Nature’s Secret Whispering, a concert event that closes this university-wide interdisciplinary conference honoring Johannes Kepler on the 450^th anniversary of his birth. Guest artist Bruce Dickey, world-renowned cornettist, and director of Concerto Palatino with whom he recently produced a CD of music inspired by Kepler’s ideas, leads the CWRU Historical Performance Practice Ensembles in celestial works for choirs of voices and instruments.

Please note: Increasing COVID-19 cases within Northeast Ohio have prompted Case Western Reserve to resume its requirement that masks be worn indoors. In addition, only those who are fully vaccinated (two weeks past their final dose) should attend any campus event. Leaders continue to monitor pandemic developments and may need to adjust health protocols further as circumstances warrant. In-person is subject to change based on COVID-19 guidelines.