Mission, Administration and Staff

At its core, BCPL’s mission is to transform lives, enabling everyone to reach their fullest potential. However, we cannot begin the work of transformation within our community without committing to diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do. Yet diversity, equity and inclusion are impossible without naming and tackling the obstacle in the path of many to leading full lives of dignity—racism. Systemic racism towards BIPOC undergirds and upholds inequity towards all people. We must acknowledge that centuries of systemic racism have created barriers that limit futures and prevent many from thriving. These systems have persisted in creating two Americas where certain lives are not valued and many are not afforded the essential human right to live a life without fear and with equally-applied justice.

Libraries, including BCPL, have historically claimed to be neutral, choosing not to take sides on what others deemed controversial. But BCPL cannot continue to do so—the cost of neutrality is too high. Neutrality comes from a place of privilege that allows us to ignore the systemic inequities that prevail in our community and society, while remaining comfortable and preserving existing power structures. We can no longer and will no longer stay silent. We must recognize the pain, anger and frustration in our community, and convert that outrage into meaningful and lasting change. BCPL has not consistently led or served with an equity lens, however we pledge to do more to transform ourselves and our communities into ones where all can live their best lives.

We understand that we are merely at the start of an ongoing journey to address racial and social inequity in our community and within our organization. BCPL commits to do better and to be better. We will work and communicate with all segments of our community to improve our own understanding of systemic racism while providing opportunities for the community to do the same. We will develop concrete steps to work toward a better future for each and every one of us.

We will:

• Work to dismantle any systemic racism within our organization and collaborate with partners to dismantle systemic racism throughout the community.
• Hold difficult conversations. For too long the voices of many people in our communities and in our libraries have gone unheard. We pledge to listen, learn and hold ourselves accountable to real, lasting and positive change.
• Utilize the expertise of BCPL's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer to provide staff and customers with the tools needed to achieve greater equity.
• Conduct equity audits to establish and guide a plan of action that covers all aspects of BCPL’s operations and service model, and sets clear goals and objectives for creating a fairer and more equitable anti-racist library.
• Change library policies and practices that are punitive, create barriers to access and harm our community.
• Develop and maintain programs, services and collections that amplify the lives of people of color.