The Mardigian Library and its collection development policy is informed by the University of Michigan-Dearborn's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. A diverse collection should contain content by and about a wide array of people and cultures to authentically reflect a variety of ideas, information, stories, and experiences.

Acknowledging the long-standing systemic biases and structural inequities that have shaped how information is created, disseminated, organized, and accessed, as well as the role libraries have played in upholding these systems (Baildon et al., 2017; Bourg, 2016), we strive to build intentional collections that recognize, value, and embrace the diverse experiences and multiple identities within our community. By purposefully developing diverse, equitable, and inclusive collections, we aspire to foster a community of scholars and lifelong learners who engage in critical inquiry that reflects their own backgrounds and the backgrounds of others.

Our collection practices should “respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities, and protects and preserves the dignity of each (ACRL Definition of Cultural Competence).”