Illustration of hands with different skin tones over a heart
Affirming our commitment to doing the work of an anti-racist organization

Revised

April 22, 2021

Resolution to Affirm Our Commitment to Doing the Work of an Anti-Racist Organization

WHEREAS, the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, and the wave of protests that followed, began a national reckoning on the toll of systemic racism in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the mission of Worthington Libraries is to connect people to a world of ideas and each other; and

WHEREAS, we recognize there are societal barriers and racial inequities in place that hinder these connections, prevent equal access and keep people from reaching their full potential; and  

WHEREAS, public libraries strive to be open and welcoming to all people and, as such, can be powerful catalysts for societal change, especially now; and

WHEREAS, we believe Black Lives Matter and the voices of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) should be heard in our community and better represented in our staff, board of trustees, collection and programming; and

WHEREAS, our 2020-2022 Strategic Plan includes a focus on Individual Empowerment, Community Building and Organizational Strength and the following goals:

  • Empower people with the information they need to improve their lives
  • Promote the Library as a place of individual transformation
  • Make the experience of visiting our libraries warm and welcoming for everyone
  • Increase organizational diversity in the staff, board of trustees and collection to better represent our community
  • Celebrate the history and people of our community; and

WHEREAS, the Library must be a leader in our community by facilitating public interaction and sharing important resources related to the work of being anti-racist; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees shall require that all library policies and procedures be reviewed through the lens of being actively anti-racist and will support policies that strive for social justice and racial equity; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED on this 15th day of September 2020, that the Worthington Libraries Board of Trustees is committed to building an anti-racist library that represents, sees and gives power to BIPOC in our community.