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Diversity issues remain focus as Library of Congress welcomes new Chief Librarian

Via RollCall: “The Library of Congress could soon have the first African American and first woman chief librarian in its 200-year history. But some employees worry that the expected arrival of Carla D. Hayden won’t be enough to end a decades-long struggle with discrimination and diversity in its workforce. “Yeah, she’d make history,” said Priscilla Ijeomah, who has worked at the library for nearly 30 years. But she said that if Hayden doesn’t make changes, “all it will be is history.” Ijeomah is one of the plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit that alleges systematic discrimination against minority employees at the world’s largest library. The LOC has been working to limit discrimination and bolster minority representation. But some, including a union president, believe the institution still has a long way to go. Darryl Clark, president of AFSCME Local 2477, has heard the library referred to as “the last plantation,” given that parts of the building were segregated in the mid-20th Century. “It has changed from that. There have been some strides,” said Clark, who is African-American. But he said a “glass ceiling” persists in terms of diversity in key leadership positions…”

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