The Prince George Public Library is taking action to combat racism.
Some of the actions in the policy include:
- Ensuring that all events hosted on library property and all official library communications include an acknowledgment that the library conducts its work on the ancestral lands of the Lheidli T’enneh people.
- Reviewing and updating library spaces and procedures to ensure that Black, Indigenous and people of colour are treated with dignity and respect and that they feel safe and welcome at the library.
- Developing a Diversity Policy that supports the recruitment and development of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour at all levels of the organization and board of trustees.
- Consulting with the public and organizations that advocate for and serve Black, Indigenous, and people of colour.
- Creating programs and events that are specifically designed to reach Black, Indigenous, and people of colour.
"The key to understanding how our commitment to anti-racism will affect our approach to offering library services is that the goal is not to favour one perspective at the expense of others, but to do a better job of highlighting perspectives that have traditionally been marginalized in our culture," Paul Burry, library director, said in an email statement. "We’re making space for more voices to join the conversation, without an intentional effort to exclude others."
As with program development that appeals to Black, Indigenous and people of colour, the library's collection development activities will focus on amplifying the voices of historically marginalized communities, Burry added.
"This means not only increasing access to titles written by or representing the perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, but also increasing the visibility of those titles through promotional efforts," he said.
"There will not be any effort to eliminate controversial information from our collections, however. The library remains committed to our important role in providing access to as wide a range of topics, ideas, and formats as we are able to, even when these include the unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable."
Burry acknowledged that society is diverse and pluralistic and for too long colonial institutions like libraries reinforced the marginalization of Black, Indigenous and people of colour.
"That has to change if we are to live up to the ideals to which we aspire," he said. "We must do our part to affirm the dignity of all people, regardless of heritage, education, beliefs, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental capabilities, or income. The library’s Statement on Anti-Racism is not a call to silence voices. It is a commitment to listen more to Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, and provide a platform so that we can all hear what they have to say. That is what it means to live in a healthy democracy. That is what it means to be a truly public library."
The library board has begun work on a new Diversity Policy for PGPL.
Staff will begin consultation with the community to learn more about how the library can better serve Black, Indigenous, and people of colour.
Antiracism will also feature prominently in the development of the library’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.
Community members are invited to provide feedback on the action items presented in the statement by submitting comments at www.pgpl.ca/comments or via email to Paul Burry at pburry@pgpl.ca.
The entire statement can be found on the library’s website at www.pgpl.ca/statements/anti-racism.
