Emory

Libraries are uniquely positioned to support DEI as knowledge centers and repositories of ideas and perspectives. Through our spaces, resources, and programming, we connect members of our university's many communities. Fighting bias and misinformation and encouraging critical thought are cornerstones of library work. We acknowledge that we are not... in a neutral space and that our institutional history reflects the structural and systemic injustices of our country. We recognize and honor the work and accomplishments of social justice activists who came before us and will share their stories. We reject the philosophy of library neutrality, which perpetuates oppressive practices and actively harms our community members.* We aspire to create an inclusive work environment through professional development, encouragement of personal growth, restorative communication practices, and active recruitment and retention of diverse groups that are underrepresented in our profession. We also recognize the importance of practicing cultural humility and the continual need to educate ourselves so that we are proactive and open to creating safer spaces for all. These goals requires attentiveness to engagement and openness toward accountability in conversations and policies. To encourage an inviting and supportive climate, we commit to offering creative and engaging ways to foster productive dialogue and interaction with our collections and programs. As the world changes, so will we. The struggle for social justice is ongoing. We accept the principle of non-closure and acknowledge that our understanding and awareness is constantly evolving. *Anastasia Chiu, Fobazi M. Ettarh, and Jennifer A. Ferretti, "Not the Shark, but the Water: How Neutrality and Vocational Awe Intertwine to Uphold White Supremacy," In Knowledge Justice: Disrupting Library and Information Studies through Critical Race Theory, eds. Sofia Y. Leung and Jorge R. L?pez-McKnight (Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2021), 49-72. Emory Libraries Diversity, Equity, ...Read More