Sense of Belonging: fostering inclusion in U-M Library Physical Spaces

The U-M Library aspires to create physical and virtual spaces that are accessible, welcoming, and affirming to all. In 2023, a project team for Sense of Belonging was formed with the goal of actively identifying and dismantling barriers to inclusion by piloting new approaches to enhance inclusivity within our physical spaces.In this presentation, we will discuss some of our team’s initiatives including: expanding access to staff spaces for student organization use; creating space for community building for student employees; proposing and implementing ways to increase our investment in sensory and neuro-inclusive resources and spaces; and future objectives to enhance belonging and inclusion among library employees in their workspaces onsite and remote