The Journal of Western Archives is currently accepting proposals for a special issue on diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency (see call below). Please note that the deadline for submitting proposals for the special issue is April 1^st. We hope you will consider writing about your experiences and sharing them in this special issue. Submit your proposals Gordon Daines (gordon_daines@byu.edu) and Helen Wong Smith (Smith@hawaii.edu). We will also entertain any questions you might have.

Diversity means different things to different people. It can be thought of as a fact or noun-something that you are or have. It can potentially encompass differences along lines of race, gender, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Inclusion refers to the activities that individuals and institutions engage in that allow all kinds of individuals to feel comfortable and accepted with equal opportunity to access services. Inclusion can be thought of as an activity or verb-it is something that you do. Archivists have been interested in the concept of diversity for at least forty years-mainly in terms of collections and the profession as a whole. We have attempted to document diversity in our communities and to achieve diversity in the profession. Progress has been extremely slow. Dennis Meissner recently challenged archivists to move away from a diversity mindset and to an inclusive mindset. To meet this challenge, the Journal of Western Archives is currently seeking submissions for an upcoming special issue focused on the shift from diversity to inclusion.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• The history of diversity in the archives profession
• The implications of shifting from a diversity mindset to an inclusive mindset
• Developing cultural competency
• Calls to action or imagined futures for making the archival community more inclusive
• Documenting diversity in institutions
• Achieving diversity in the archival profession profession
• Creating inclusive professional associations
• Fostering inclusive collection development practices
• Collaboration between institutional and community archives

Acceptable formats for submission include research articles or case studies. Potential contributors are also encouraged to consult the more general submission guidelines of the journal.

Submissions will be due April 1, 2018

Please contact the editors of this special issue: Helen Wong Smith (Smith@hawaii.edu) or J. Gordon Daines III (gordon_daines@byu.edu) if you have any questions.