Hannon library’s faculty, staff, and administrators commit to the creation and maintenance of a culturally competent library that welcomes and serves patrons from a range of cultures, backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives. We are committed to anti-racism, anti-colonialism, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work and our library. We recognize that we are part of a region and an institution that have historically not held these values. We have made–and will undoubtedly continue to make–mistakes; we will, however, endeavor to hold ourselves accountable, heal harm we have created, and strive to do better.
This is a living document, subject to change and evolution as we learn more from our community and gather feedback from our stakeholders. If we get something wrong, let us know.
The work of actively opposing racism and racist concepts, attitudes, beliefs, policies and actions, including individual racism, interpersonal racism, institutional racism, and structural racism, by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life. Anti-racism tends to be an individualized approach, and set up in opposition to individual racist behaviors and impacts.
Resistance and opposition to the appropriation, occupation and domination of a people or area by a foreign state or nation by encouraging and promoting equality, justice, and self-determination.
Diversity can be defined as the sum of the ways that people are both alike and different. Visible diversity is generally those attributes or characteristics that are external. However, diversity goes beyond the external to internal characteristics that we choose to define as ‘invisible’ diversity. Invisible diversity includes those characteristics and attributes that are not readily seen. When we recognize, value, and embrace diversity, we are recognizing, valuing, and embracing the uniqueness of each individual. (From the American Library Association's ODLOS Glossary of Terms).
Equity is not the same as formal equality. Formal equality implies sameness. Equity, on the other hand, assumes difference and takes difference into account to ensure a fair process and, ultimately, a fair (or equitable) outcome.
Equity recognizes that some groups were (and are) disadvantaged in accessing educational and employment opportunities and are, therefore, underrepresented or marginalized in many organizations and institutions. The effects of that exclusion often linger systemically within organizational policies, practices, and procedures. Equity, therefore, means increasing diversity by ameliorating conditions of disadvantaged groups. (From the American Library Association's ODLOS Glossary of Terms).
Inclusion means an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully; are valued for their distinctive skills, experiences, and perspectives; have equal access to resources and opportunities; and can contribute fully to the organization’s success. (From the American Library Association's ODLOS Glossary of Terms).
The systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all. Racial justice—or racial equity—goes beyond 'anti-racism.' It is not just the absence of discrimination and inequities, but also the presence of deliberate systems and supports to achieve and sustain racial equity through proactive and preventative measures. (From Race Reporting Guide, Race Forward).
Social justice focuses on power dynamics among different groups of people while acknowledging historical and institutional inequities. It has a vision of a society with equitable distribution of resources, in which “all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure, recognized, and treated with respect.” (From Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice, Adams, Bell, Goodman, and Joshi, 3rd ed., Routledge 2016)
If you are interested in learning more about our EDI work, please reach out to the Hannon Library EDI Committee through our Ask a Librarian form.