Lyndon J. Batiste
CIS 650 course: Applying Diversity Leadership Theories & Praxis in Information Organizations
Figure 1: View of the Library Service Desk (Use Services) at the Emory University Robert W. Woodruff Library
Introduction
I am a doctoral student in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama. I have created this Diversity Leadership ePortfolio as part of my work for the CIS 650 course (Applying Diversity Leadership Theories & Praxis in Information Organizations) during the spring of 2025. As part of my D&P-eP, I will collaborate with the User Services Unit within the Access and Resource Services Division of Emory Libraries and Museum to develop a diversity and inclusion project that contributes to a broader customer service philosophy document.
What I Plan to Do
In this course, I aim to think critically and develop the tools necessary to design a project that meaningfully addresses the diverse needs of the Emory University community. As the public-facing arm of the academic library, User Services holds a unique position—engaging daily with a broad spectrum of users, including students, staff, faculty, and community members. This proximity provides us with a deep understanding of the challenges our users face in accessing resources and navigating library spaces. Through engagement with relevant scholarship and exploration of initiatives that center marginalized communities, I hope to design a project that responds to the specific and evolving needs of our academic community.
Figure 2: View of the Library Service Desk (Use Services) at the Emory University Robert W. Woodruff Library