Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL)

Charge

91´«Ã½

To officially represent the diversity of women's interest within 91´«Ã½ and to ensure that the association considers the rights of the majority (women) in the library field. To promote and initiate the collection, analysis, dissemination, and coordination of information on the status of women in librarianship. To coordinate the activities of 91´«Ã½ units that consider questions having special relevance for women. To identify lags, gaps, and possible discrimination in resources and programs relating to women. To help develop evaluative tools, guidelines, and programs in cooperation with other 91´«Ã½ units designed to enhance the opportunities and the image of women in the library profession, thus raising the level of consciousness concerning women. To establish contacts with committees on women within other professional groups and to officially represent 91´«Ã½ concerns at interdisciplinary meetings on women's equality. To provide council and membership with reports needed for the establishment of policies and actions related to the status of women in librarianship, and monitor 91´«Ã½ units to ensure consideration of the rights of women.

Categories:

Roster

Beatrice Calvin
(Primary Staff Liaison, May 11, 2018, to July 31, 2028)
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Displaying active committee roster as of 07/01/2026. Last retrieved on 12/26/2024. Refresh now.

Resources

91´«Ã½

Statements & Notes from COSWL

  • COSWL Calls for Conference Site Reviews in Locations Limiting Women's Rights
    June 2024

    Given recent changes in legislation in the United States which limits access to health care in various circumstances, the 91´«Ã½ Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) has issued the following statement:

    The 91´«Ã½ Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) calls on the 91´«Ã½ Executive Board to take expeditious action in support of women and people who are pregnant related to the matter of 91´«Ã½ continuing to host conferences in states where a large portion of our attendees, if in a medical crisis, may not be able to receive appropriate emergency medical care.

    While the committee understands contractual obligations to have conference sites booked far in advance, we request that the conference committee explore considering the location of a conference site with local limitations on women's rights, when selecting future locations to ensure that all 91´«Ã½ members have equal access to emergency medical care if needed.


    This statement from the 91´«Ã½ Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) has been endorsed by the Association of College and Research Libraries Women and Gender Studies Section Executive Committee (ACRL-WGSS) and the 91´«Ã½ Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT).

  • COSWL Supports Library Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic
    January 6, 2022

    The 91´«Ã½'s Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (91´«Ã½ COSWL) is in solidarity with library workers in the midst of another COVID surge. We want you to know that we see you and support you during this time. We have listed a few links to provide support from afar:

    - Resolution to Prioritize Library Workers to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine
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  • COSWL Endorses the 91´«Ã½ Social Responsibilities Round Table's (SRRT) Statement regarding 91´«Ã½ meeting in Texas for LibLearnX 2022
    September, 2021

News

Recorded Sessions


  • Webinar/Discussion, Held March 25, 2024

  • Webinar, Held January 11, 2024
    Passcode: n!feW9&a

  • Webinar, Held: June 7, 2022
    Slides from session (pdf)

  • Webinar, Held: March 11, 2022

  • Webinar, Held: Dec. 7, 2021
    Access Passcode: WUhF!3b&

  • Webinar, Held: May 4, 2021

  • Webinar, Held: Feb 3, 2021

  • Webinar, Held: January, 2021 during 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Virtual Meeting

  • Webinar, Held: Apr 30, 2019

  • Webinar, Held Mar 18, 2019

Reference Materials

Social Media Pages

Other Women's Groups within 91´«Ã½

Other Non-91´«Ã½ Organizations

Last updated 7/16/2024

Composition

91´«Ã½

The Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) consists of eleven members appointed from the membership at large serving two year staggered terms and led by chair, serving a one year term.

Subcommitees and Task Forces

91´«Ã½

The Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) consists of eleven members appointed from the membership at large serving two year staggered terms and led by chair, serving a one year term.

Articles In Celebration of Women

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