I grew up in India and came to Canada as an international student to pursue my degree in Librarianship. I immigrated to Canada subsequently and am grateful to live, work and learn on the territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) Peoples. As a South Asian immigrant and person of color, my background combined with over 20 years of diverse library experience, shapes my approach to research and practice. As the Engineering & Science Librarian at the University of Victoria Libraries, I am deeply committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. I recognize that my position grants me both privilege and responsibility and I remain mindful of the systemic barriers faced by many students, faculty, and staff especially those from underrepresented backgrounds and this awareness shapes my work at the libraries. This toolkit is a reflection of the collaborative work my colleagues and I have done to challenge inequities in access to information, foster a culture of understanding, reciprocity and respect. I recognize that the writings in this toolkit are influenced by my professional journey, my individual lived experiences as a person of color, the privileges I hold, and my dedication to learning from the communities I serve. As I engage with students and colleagues, I always hope this toolkit helps everyone to listen actively, reflect critically, and act intentionally to create an inclusive environment.
Aditi Gupta
