At the regular July meeting of the Windsor Public Library Board, directors unanimously passed a motion to adopt the Anti-Racism Action Plan, as presented. The document provides a framework and plan to address racism and social inequity in the workplace and in the services and programs it provides.
“Public libraries are meeting places for people, ideas, learning and culture,” says WPL Board Chair, Councillor Rino Bortolin. “They are places for community learning, where ideas are debated, issues of the day discussed and places where the community is welcomed. For more than 125 years, the Windsor Public Library has been a trusted civic institution, providing equitable access to information, services and facilities to support life long learning. We are actively working to replace ignorance with knowledge, intolerance with understanding, and inequity with access.”
The plan concludes that the Windsor Public Library has a responsibility to help eradicate systemic racism, social inequity and promote universal acceptance through equitable access to resources, services, and facilities. This starts by educating employees about racial injustice and social inequity plus developing policies, procedures and services designed to promote equity and inclusion. The Windsor Public Library Board stands with our community to promote equality, and stands firm against racial intolerance and social inequity.
Highlights of the Action plan include:
-Windsor Public Library Board statement entitled Together Against Racism and Social Inequity;
-A review of the process to appoint citizens to city agencies, board and commissions with a goal of increasing diversity;
-Prior to the October 2022 Municipal election develop a plan to encourage citizens from all sectors of the community to apply to be on the WPLB;
-Enhanced library programming, resources and ongoing staff education with the goal of eliminating systemic racism and promoting equity and inclusion.
“Public libraries have always played a crucial role in supporting and advocating for diversity in the communities they serve, says WPL CEO Kitty Pope. “I am proud that WPL will work to eliminate racial and social barriers to library programs, services and policies plus acquire resources that reflect the rich diversity of the Windsor community.”
