Organizational
Overview
Look at your organizational elements with a lens of belonging. Areas covered in this pathway include:
- Board Learning and Recruitment
- Collection Development
- Evaluation of Programs and Servies
- Facilities
- Outreach
- Policies- External and Internal
- Programming
- Professional Development / Staff Learning
- Purchasing / Vendor Relations
Why it Matters
While the foundation of libraries is to be open for everyone, some of the language used, older policies, outreach, and recruiting efforts may be putting barriers in the way of everyone truly feeling welcomed. Reviewing current structures as an organization is a good practice as your community is always changing. Changes made at the organizational level keep the library as a relevant entity that develops alongside its community.
Foundation
Consider starting with a staff meeting to review what your library does well in each category listed above.
Identify successful outreach events, programming, and learning opportunities taken by staff.
Use the Pathways Tracking Document to document your learning journey.
Action Items
Board Education and Recruitment
1. Provide the board with up-to-date demographics on your service area, including but not limited to: age ranges, wealth distribution, disability characteristics, veterans, computer and Internet characteristics, and languages spoken. How many languages are used, and what are they? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- American Community Survey Data
- Census Narrative Profiles
- Your municipality’s planning department likely has demographic data
2. Review your board's mission statement, by-laws, and strategic plan for language about welcoming diversity and/or how equity and inclusion are foundational to the library's purpose. If no such language is found, revise accordingly. If your strategic plan is not due for revision soon, create a draft for possible inclusion in the next strategic plan. Quote the applicable sections on the tracking document.
Resources
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nonprofit Bylaws
- Governance Documents: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Nonprofits
- Examples of Mission Vision and Values Statements
3. In your trustee orientation, include information on the library's commitment to equity and inclusion and board practices supporting this commitment. Quote or describe the relevant portions below. Respond on the tracking document.
** Find additional actions to go deeper in the Continuing Journey Section**
Collection Development
1. Use subject heading searches to search your library’s catalog for languages other than English that are spoken in your community. Start with the languages most commonly spoken in your community. How well does your collection linguistically reflect your community? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Languages spoken in each school district. (Google Sheet)
- American Community Survey data on languages spoken at home (Website with Census data)
- MLA language map (Website with interactive map)
2. Consider your library's collection genre labels. Do they include subjects such as diverse holidays? Identify which labels you should add for your library. What label features make the collection accessible to those with disabilities? What improvements could you make? Respond on the tracking document. **Not all books need a genre sticker - LGBTQ stickers could out a reader if on the outside of the book.
Resources
- Demco Spine Labels(Web Store)
- Demco Shelf Dividers(Web Store)
- Sample Custom Labels from Guilderland Public Library(Google Doc example)
3. In social media posts, highlight the diversity of your collection and your community. Provide some examples of how you've done this on the tracking document.
Resources
- Super Library Marketing: Practical Tips and Ideas for Library Promotion(articles/video threads)
** Find additional actions to go deeper in the Continuing Journey Section**
Evaluation of Programs and Services
1. How are you promoting the Talking Books and Braille Library services and the accessibility features of your digital collections? Reach out to your digital platform representatives to ask about Accessibility Features. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Talking Book and Braille Library: NYS Library(Website)
- LOC Find your Talking Book and Braille Library (Website)
- Overdrive Accessibility Features(Website)
- Hoopla Accessibility Features(Accessibility Report, approx.15 min. read)
2. Create a calendar of when to review programs and displays. How often will the review occur, and how will participants' feedback be incorporated? Respond on the tracking document.
3. Create a calendar highlighting various holidays and events from other cultures and share it with staff for awareness. How will your library utilize this calendar? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Diversity Awareness Calendar(calendar including month-long celebrations and links)
- Diversity Calendar(calendar including less well-known holidays)
4. Consider the book/media displays currently up in your library. How many of these feature diverse characters on the covers, or are by an author from an underrepresented minority? Exclude displays connected to a particular observance or holiday. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Where to Find Diverse Books(Website resource with links)
** Find additional actions to go deeper in the Continuing Journey Section**
Facilities
1. Review the ADA checklist for existing facilities. Identify the areas that apply to your library where you are not currently in compliance. Make your library board aware of areas where you are not in compliance. Consult with your library system consultants as to whether any of them could be remedied with Construction Aid. In what areas, if any, does your library not meet ADA standards? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- ADA Checklist for Existing FacilitiesAid
- NYS Construction Aid
- Why Can't This Soap Dispenser Identify Dark Skin?
2. Provide an accessible keyboard and mouse and information on how to utilize accessibility features for at least one of your computer workstations. Record on the tracking document.
Resources
3. Describe your library's current status on having a gender-neutral bathroom option and a changing station in every public bathroom. If your library doesn't meet this goal, identify the steps you'll take to accomplish it. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
4. Convey that parents are welcome to breastfeed in the library. What other signs can be used to show families are welcome? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
** Find additional actions to go deeper in the Continuing Journey Section**
Outreach
1. Follow the social media of organizations that promote and/or exemplify diversity. Who are you following, and why did you select them? Respond on the tracking document
Resources
- 14 Diversity and Inclusion Workplace Influencers to Follow(suggested influencers to follow)
- Create Authentic Images: Say No to Stock Photography(article)
2. Collect data about the diverse groups in your community. Use census data and community partners. Summarize what you learn on the tracking document.
Resources
- Explore Census Data(use the “Advanced Search” option to view census data about your community)
- Data Commons A Google initiative that aggregates data from 193 countries
3. Identify a barrier to people using your library, physically and through policies. What are the barriers? Describe the steps it would take to remove this barrier. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Breaking Down Barriers to Library Services(Brief article from Urban Libraries Council)
- Decreasing Barriers to Library Use(PowerPoint slides from Wake County Public Library System)
4. List the languages other than English spoken in your community. Create a document describing library services in one or more of those languages. Who in your community could check the translation created? Provide a copy of the document.
Resources
- Engaging Multilingual Communities and English Language Learners in U.S. Libraries Toolkit(ALA toolkit)
- What Languages are Spoken in Your Area?(short article)
- Translations of Library Card Applications(Libguide/various translations)
5. Create public-facing materials that communicate available accommodations for those with disabilities. Include a clear path for requesting accommodation. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Creating Accessibility in Libraries(LJ short Article)
- Institute for Human Centered Design(articles and videos)
- Access to Libraries for Persons with Disabilities – Checklist (18-page article/checklist)
- Show and Tell | American Libraries Magazine(American Libraries article)
** Find additional actions to go deeper in the Continuing Journey Section**
Policies – External and Internal
1. In your collection development policy, state your library's organizational values and commitment to a diverse collection. Share that policy language on the tracking document.
2. Include a statement about the library's commitment to equitable services to all users in the library staff manual, written staff procedures and/or library policies. Update policies as needed and get approval from the board. Quote that section on the tracking document.
Resources
- 7 DEI Statement Examples and a Guide To Writing Your Own(short article from Included)
- Tips for Reviewing Your Employee Manual or Handbook with a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Lens(guide from firm helping Alaska nonprofits)
3. Include inclusive services in your technology plan/ policies and get approved by the board. Quote the relevant sections on the tracking document.
Resources
- Digital Equity(Seattle Public Library’s technology and digital equity public web page)
** Find additional actions to go deeper in the Continuing Journey Section**
Programming
1. Conduct an assessment of your book club selections in the past 12 months. What percent of titles were by authors from an underrepresented community? What percent of titles had main characters from underrepresented communities? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Where to Find Diverse Books (diversebook.org has compiled a list of sites highlighting diverse authors, books, and reading lists, organized by category)
2. Offer one of your traditionally well-attended programs in an 'opposite' time slot. For example, are all your storytimes during the day? Offer one in the evening or during the weekend. What program did you offer and what was the outcome? Respond on the tracking document.
3. Offer allergen-free alternatives when your library serves food at a program. What did you serve, and how did people respond? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Event Planning and Food Allergy Awareness(article from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 5 min. read)
- Back at School: Allergen Free Snacks for the Whole Class(article, 7 min. read)
4. Evaluate programming practices on a regular basis to determine if individuals or groups are potentially excluded. What has gone well, and what needs to be strengthened? What is your timeline for reviews? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Connected Learning Alliance's Evaluating Library Programming Guide (pp. 13-18)(article with tools for planning and executing program evaluation, 8 min. read)
5. Develop or identify your process for gauging your community’s programming needs and interests. Share your process and provide examples of programs that reflect the needs and interests of diverse members of your community. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Library User Surveys: A How-To Guide(article, 13 min. read)
6. Utilize multiple avenues for program attendees to provide feedback. How are you doing this? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- ACRL's Programming Evaluation Form Guidelines(brief article, 3 min. read)
- Brookfield Library (CT) Program Evaluation Form(example web form)
** Find additional actions to go deeper in the Continuing Journey Section**
Professional Development/ Staff Learning
1. Include information on the library's commitment to equity and inclusion in staff orientation materials and how that is made real. Quote or describe the relevant portions below. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- 10 Ways to Build an Inclusive Onboarding Experience(short article)
2. Refer staff to engage in the Personal Pathway and record their reflections.
Resources
- Path to Belonging- Personal Path
3. Ensure that your library uses " people-first" language. Respond with examples to the tracking document.
Resources
- Communicating With and About People with Disabilities(brief article from the CDC about using people-first language)
4. Provide opportunities for staff to discuss equity-related topics. How often will you have these discussions? How will the discussions look - whole group, small groups, or a combination? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Racial Equity Committee staff learning resources(Created by UHLS)
5. Identify the ways library staff members stay aware of emerging trends surrounding equity in libraries, such as inclusive cataloging and the use of plain language. Note any publications you find useful in this regard. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Decolonizing the Catalog(article, 13 min. read)
- Western Libraries Inclusive Language Guide(25 min read, 30 pages)
- Libraries Respond: Protecting and Supporting Transgender Staff and Patrons(article, 5 min. read)
- What Neurodivergent Patrons Want from Small & Rural Libraries by Knology for Programming Librarian
** Find additional actions to go deeper in the Continuing Journey Section**
Purchasing/ Vendor Relations
1. Identify vendors you currently work with that are from under-represented groups or offer titles by authors or in languages not often carried by more mainstream vendors. Who are these vendors? If you don’t currently have one, identify a vendor you will consider and reach out. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Children’s Book Council - Publishers Diverse Resources(Website with links)
- Diversity in Publishing from A to Z(Website with links)
2. Review current vendors and explore custom-made lists or standing order lists that represent under-represented groups. Ask your representatives about upcoming collections or how subjects are tagged. Respond to what you find out on the tracking document.
3. Set up times to reach out to current vendors, review your library missions and collection needs, and ask about new products that may support this mission. Respond how these conversations go on the tracking document.
Library: Carthage Free Library, Carthage, Jefferson County NY
Population Chartered to Serve: 5,016
Budget: $152,000
In 2021, Carthage Free Library sought out an independent accessibility auditor to provide an assessment of their building and to make recommendations for improved accessibility. An ADA Advocate from the Northern Regional Center for Independent Living toured the building and provided a detailed report of focus items - some that were quick fixes, and some to be built into future construction projects.
The consultant not only shared ideal solutions such as lowering doorbells and soap dispensers, adding new striping and signage in the parking lot, and repairing a non-functional lift, but shared what the library could do immediately to serve patrons with mobility limitations. He suggested changing the locations of programs to areas of the library that are accessible and adding signage with instructions for the online catalog and letting people know that staff are happy to pull requested items. He also made specific recommendations about improving the accessible route through the library to make it safer in case of an emergency evacuation, such as not storing anything behind a key exit door so that it opens fully.
The library used this information to immediately make the library more welcoming and accessible to all, and also used it to inform their long range planning to make the most of their existing structure.
Impact
While the journey to inclusion is ongoing, as each step is approached and completed, the community hears the message that everyone is not only welcome to the library but is wanted to be a part of the library. Policies work to ensure the foundation is laid, for programming, outreach, and staff development to be intentional in seeking out portions of the community underrepresented in the library. Looking at the language used in policies and in the library community keeps the library changing along with its community and being respectful of all who may use resources.
Additional Resources
- Ready for It? Ensuring Web Content Accessibility in Libraries
- New York State Library DEI Toolkit by the New York State Office of Cultural Education
Board Learning and Recruitment
1. Create a plan to bring people representing segments of the population not currently represented onto the board, whether your trustees are appointed or elected. Share your action steps below the tracking document.
Resources
- Addressing Diversity and Inclusion on Nonprofit Boards
- Recruiting for Board Diversity — Without Disrespecting People of Color
- NB: It's good to remember that diversity takes many forms: racial, neurodiversity, age diversity, gender diversity, etc. Identify community support groups like churches, affiliate groups, and volunteer organizations.
2. Hold an open house or a live and recorded virtual "meet a trustee" information session for prospective trustees. Tell us about how it went. How are you going to proceed with direct marketing? Respond on the tracking document.
3. Assess which community segments are not represented on your board. Contact leaders within these community segments. Ask leadership if a library representative can speak to the group about the library trustee role. Ideally, a current trustee and the library director would be willing and able to do this. Respond on the tracking document with who you reached out to and what the outcome was.
Resources
- Local Chamber of Commerce
- Local Community Foundation
Collection Development
1. Conduct an analysis of your local community's demographics. Create goals and benchmarks using your community's demographic data to create a more inclusive collection. What are your specific goals, and how would you plan to reach them? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- S. Census Bureau Narrative Profiles(Website)
2. Conduct an assessment of what authors are represented in your collection. Choose a diversity audit tool that fits your library. What percent of the titles in the sample were by authors from underrepresented backgrounds? Respond on the tracking document.
(See resources under #2)
3. Conduct an assessment of the diversity of the characters represented in your collection. Choose either your adult or juvenile fiction collection. Choose a diversity audit tool that fits your library. What percent of the titles featured characters from underrepresented backgrounds? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources for 1 & 2
- Overdrive can run an on demand diversity audit. (Website)Contact your digital platform representatives to inquire about a diversity audit tool.
- A Voorheesville School Librarian created anin-house diversity audit tool using Google Forms. Consider adapting for use in your library. (Google Form)
- Diverse BookFinder Collection Analysis tool (free, online tool for picture books)
4. Conduct a diversity audit of marketing of collection materials from your library in the last three months. To what extent do graphics on promo materials that include people feature a range of ethnicities, genders, religions and abilities? Let us know the results of your audit. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Expert Advice on How to Work Diversity Into Your Library Marketing(short article)
- Is Your Marketing Diverse and Inclusive? Here’s How to Find Out.(short article)
- Diversity & Inclusion in Creative Images(short article)
- Beyond the Collection Diversity Audit(SLJ short article)
Facilities
1. Invite a stakeholder from a community group with accessibility concerns to visit the library and give you feedback on how it works for members of their group. How did it go? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
2. Describe your library's technology to assist those with visual or hearing loss. What would be the best technology for your community if none or limited? Create a plan and timeline to obtain additional technology. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
Outreach
1. Provide examples of how you intentionally incorporated more inclusive language into your marketing materials.
Resources
- Does Your Community Feel Welcome At Your Library? Why Inclusive Language Is a Critical Part of Your Promotions.n(short article)
2. Identify the steps you are taking to ensure your marketing material reaches diverse constituencies. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- 5 Ways to Make Your Marketing More Inclusive(short article)
- Build New Community Connections with Partnership Marketing(short article)
- How to Find the Right Image for Your Marketing Collateral(short Linkedin article)
3. Attend an event held by a different organization that serves a marginalized group in your community. What might a partnership look like? Respond on the tracking document.
4. With staff, explore how outreach connects with the library's strategic plan. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Outreach Strategies(compilation of links to webinars, articles, and a workbook related to outreach)
5. Partner with a community organization that serves a portion of the community you are seeking to strengthen your connection with. Who was your partner? What plan was developed? Describe the partnership. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- 3 Ways to Build Partnerships at Your Small Library (Brief article from Programming Librarian)
6. Identify a barrier to people using your library, physically and through policies. What are the barriers? Describe the steps it would take to remove this barrier. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Breaking Down Barriers to Library Services(Brief article from Urban Libraries Council)
- Decreasing Barriers to Library Use(PowerPoint slides from Wake County Public Library System)
Policies- External and Internal
1. Examine all library policies (internal and external) for possible equity and inclusion conflicts or additions and bring those forward to the board for review. Describe your actions on the tracking document.
Resources
- Policy and Process Review Through an Equity Lens Tool(worksheet from Ohio Department of Education)
- Policy Review with an Equity Lens(thorough guide from Fitchburg State University)
- Evanston Public Library’s Workplace Transition Policy(policy on gender transitioning as related to work)
2. Include equity in your programming policy. Review, update and have the board approve policy. Quote the relevant sections on the tracking document.
Resources
- Springfield City (MA) Library's Programming Policy(policy document, 3 min. read)
- Denver (CO) Public Library Programming Policy(policy document, 3 min. read)
3. In your collection development policy, state your library's organizational values and commitment to a diverse collection. Share that policy language on the tracking document. Respond on the tracking document.
Programming
1. Hold a public facing equity learning circle. For your follow-up reflection, what topic you choose, why the topic was chosen, who was marketed to, who showed up, and what the outcome was. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Antiracism Learning Circles Programming Template(UHLS created toolkit)
2. Hold a bilingual program or a program in a language other than English. Reflect on the process and the outcome. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Libraries Bring Families Together Through Bilingual Storytimes (short article, 4 min. read)
- Three Lessons for Launching Successful Multilingual Programming at Your Library (short article, 5 min. read)
3. Plan a program celebrating a non-dominant culture or cultural holiday. Include a member of that culture in the planning and or/presentation. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Anti-Bias Education and Holidays: Making Thoughtful Decisions (article, 7 min. read)
- Programming Librarian's Calendar of Events & Celebrations (comprehensive list of holidays/celebrations, divided by month)
- National PTA's 2022-2023 Multicultural Calendar (an example calendar divided by month)
4. Hold a program where you scaffold different learning styles and ability levels by providing material in multiple formats and adaptive supplies. What was the program, and what kind of scaffolding did you do? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Adaptive Art Supplies(examples of adaptive art and educational tools)
- Adaptive Art Gives Students a Chance to Shine(brief article, 6 min. read)
- Making Storytimes More Inclusive(blogpost)
5. Offer programming performed by AND targeted towards audiences with multiple dimensions of personal identity, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, age, citizenship, literacy level, ability, family structure, income level, health status, gender identity, sexuality, style of dress, and familiarity with public libraries. Give an example of what you've done. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- The Human Library(organization that hosts inclusive storytelling events)
- Drag Story Hour Support Guide(20 page guide, 9 sections)
- Cultural Inclusivity at Denver Public Library(web page highlighting DPL’s cultural inclusivity initiative and programs)
- Dos and Don'ts with Special Diversity Events(article, 8 min. read)
Professional Development/ Staff Learning
1. Offer pronoun buttons or pronoun nametags to staff. What percentage of staff opted to wear these tags? Describe the results of offering the opportunity to staff. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Why Should I Put My Pronouns on My Name Tag?(very brief article from the Entomological Society of America)
2. Provide staff training on equity and inclusion issues. Describe the training and percentage of staff attending. Are there any earmarked funds for this in your budget? If there is no funds, draft a proposal to bring to your board and discuss the value. Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Contact your system’s consultant for suggestions.
- Wisconsin Libraries Talk About Race (archive of webinars)
- Access & Equity (Webjunction’s archive of Access & Equity webinars
- Diversity | Education & Careers (ALA’s archive of diversity webinars)
3. Develop a practice that encourages all staff to record and share information taken from continuing education courses, such as staff meetings, digital discussion platforms, etc. Respond on the tracking document.
4. Build on trends surrounding equality by having staff go through parts of the collection and cataloging to identify problematic tags together. Work section by section as a team or in teams and bring findings back to the whole group. Start making needed changes in the catalog. What is your timeline, and what section to start with? Respond on the tracking document.
Resources
- Decolonizing the Catalog(article, 13 min. read)
- Plain Language (US Department of Labor’s website with resources and training)
5. Encourage staff to browse and watch videos from Project Ready, and create a way for staff reflections. Project READY is a three-year program funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to create professional development for school librarians and public librarians on racial equity and culturally sustaining pedagogy
Resources
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