Nurturing an Inclusive Library

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NURTURING AN INCLUSIVE LIBRARY

The North Olympic Library System strives to offer equitable and accessible services to all community members. The 2021-2024 Strategic Initiatives include this priority:

“Through an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens, begin to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to review NOLS’ policies, practices, collections, programs, and resources.”

Read more about the current status and next steps below.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is a NOLS Value

Since the 2021 Equity Assessment was completed, NOLS has utilized the consultant’s findings to develop a comprehensive Implementation Plan for furthering the strategic initiative across branches and departments. This allows equity, diversity, and inclusion to be amplified, normalized, and integrated into daily workflows, procedures, and policy development. By centering equity, diversity, and inclusion in NOLS’ work, each community member can expect services designed with equity and access at the forefront.

Implementation Plan – High Priority Objectives

In early 2021 NOLS established an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team. Together with NOLS leadership, the EDI team created an EDI Implementation Plan. Below are the objectives determined to be the topmost priority for NOLS since 2022. This work spans all branches and departments and is ongoing.

Objective: Provide opportunities for staff to engage in self-paced independent learning activities related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Steps taken:

Launched internal EDI Training Resource Board to highlight relevant trainings for NOLS staff.
Worked with supervisors to schedule time for all staff to engage in weekly professional development training.
Since 2021, provided at least 2 all staff EDI trainings per year.
- Examples include: Conflict Management & Communication, Cultural Inclusivity in the Workplace, Opioid Overdose & Naloxone Training, and Introduction to Personal Pronouns.

Objective: Provide opportunities for deeper Equity Diversity & Inclusion learning and capacity building for members of the Management Team to cultivate inclusive leadership practices.

Steps taken:

Since January 2024, worked with Speaking Justice to provide quarterly leadership coaching for all Managers.
In Fall 2023, launched a system-wide communications training tool, which allows staff to identify communication styles and how to work across various communication styles.

Objective: Provide mental health first aid training as part of required staff training programs to provide all staff, or frontline staff at a minimum, with tools to identify a person with a mental health issue and provide initial support to that person. In accordance with mental health first aid certificate programs, training should be completed every three years.

Steps taken:

Developed a partnership with Peninsula Behavioral Health to regularly host Mental Health First Aid Trainings at NOLS facilities.
NOLS Staff routinely participate in scheduled Mental Health First Aid Trainings.

Objective: Develop a system for staff to receive support following uncomfortable patron interactions and disruptive events. Providing this assistance acknowledges that any interaction, calm or disruptive, has the potential to involve language or expressions of viewpoints that can cause distress for staff.

Steps taken:

Recommitted to norms of Managers following up with their staff after a disruptive event is reported.
Continued to provide training and support to all NOLS public services employees regarding Disruptive Event procedures and documentation expectations.
Additional steps will be identified.

Objective: Cultivate a sense of belonging through diverse representation in the Library’s collection and Technical Services process.

Steps taken:

In October 2021, NOLS Collection Management Team established an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee. This subcommittee developed a diversity audit tool that supports the goal of providing a broad range of materials that reflects the lived experiences of community members and represents the global community.
Since 2021, material selection, cataloging, and display (in-branch and online) practices have been updated to codify more inclusive practices for staff.
- Examples include: integrating the use of diacritics (accent marks and other characters) in the catalog, updating several subject headings, updating key words for LGBTQIA+ terms, and updating NOLS display guidelines with an EDI perspective.
In November 2021, NOLS Operations Collection Management Policy 2.1 was updated to include information and NOLS’ commitment to selecting materials that reflect people’s lived experiences both the local and global community.

Objective: Evaluate hours of operation, timing/occurrence of programs and services for equitable access.

Steps taken:

In Fall 2021, issued a public survey about Library Hours of Operation as well as solicited staff input.
In January 2022, restored open hours back to pre-pandemic levels, adjusting specific hours based on community and staff feedback.
Launched Bookmobile Outreach Services in Fall 2023 including continued assessment and collaboration with local Native nations and community organizations on route stops to best meet the needs of local communities throughout Clallam County.
Outreach Delivery services restored to pre-pandemic levels.

Objective: Conduct an accessibility audit of all physical library spaces to ensure patrons with disabilities can access and utilize physical environments. Develop a plan for making any necessary amendments.

Steps taken:

In 2023 hired University of Washington consultants to complete an accessibility survey at the Port Angeles Main Library, Forks Branch Library, and the Clallam Bay Branch Library.
- The Sequim Branch Library was not included in the survey due to the Sequim Expansion and Renovation Project, Which already includes ADA-compliant building standards.
Accessible Pathways Project launched. The scope includes addressing parking lot accessibility issues identified in the 2023 accessibility audit at the Port Angeles Main Library.
Prioritizing accessible design for many aspects of the Sequim Expansion and Renovation Project.

Historical Information 2020-2023

Community Survey

In May 2021, EDI consultant Ascending Leadership and NOLS offered an in-depth community survey to better understand community members’ experiences at the library. The survey received over 877 responses in the three-week period that it was available. Ascending Leadership used this data to help inform their recommendations and reports.

Staff/Board Survey and Interviews

Staff and Board of Trustees surveys were conducted to learn more about experiences in the workplace related to belonging, equity, safety and communication. Fifty-three staff responded to the staff survey. Five Board members responded to the Board survey.

All staff and Board members were also invited to an interview with Ascending Leadership. Thirteen staff and four Board members of various demographics and tenure, participated.

Public Community Briefing

NOLS provided a virtual regarding its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and its work with Ascending Leadership. Executive Director Noah Glaude and Ascending Leadership consultants discussed the project and next steps at the April 26, 2021 briefing. Click here for the PowerPoint presentation used during the briefing.

NOLS Equity Assessment

Ascending Leadership presented NOLS with an organizational assessment of their insights and observations from community members, staff, and Board members. The report provided recommendations for future action toward greater equity and inclusion and examined the core themes of safety and belonging, communication and transparency, and equity and accountability.

A staff report was also created to document the progress of NOLS’ equity initiative.NOLS received a report and recommendations from Ascending Leadership in June 2021. Ascending Leadership presented their findings at the June 24, 2021 Board Meeting.

In 2022-2023 NOLS utilized Ascending Leadership’s findings to develop a comprehensive Implementation Plan for furthering the strategic initiative. This codified Implementation Plan is intended to allow the organization to maintain momentum and continue working on the strategic initiative across branches and departments. This allows equity, diversity, and inclusion to be amplified, normalized, and integrated into daily workflows, procedures, and policy development.

Public Comments:

NOLS welcomes feedback regarding the ongoing work with its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiative. Please reach out to director@nols.org with any comments or suggestions.

Use #NurturingAnInclusiveLibrary and #LibrariesTransform to connect with the Library!

NURTURING AN INCLUSIVE LIBRARY

Family Fun Day

Arts & Crafts

Blocks & Play

NOLS Bookmobile

Battle of the Books

Kids Discovery Club

Día de los Muertos

Jamestown S’Klallam Youth Center

El Día Del Niño

Red Yarn Concert

Art in the Library

Greywolf Elementary

Halloween in Forks

Comix with Dana Sullivan

Poetry Slam

Puppet Making

Family Fun Day

Arts & Crafts

Blocks & Play

NOLS Bookmobile

Battle of the Books

Kids Discovery Club

Día de los Muertos

Jamestown S’Klallam Youth Center

El Día Del Niño

Red Yarn Concert

Art in the Library

Greywolf Elementary

Halloween in Forks

Comix with Dana Sullivan

Poetry Slam

Puppet Making

Family Fun Day

Arts & Crafts

Blocks & Play

NOLS Bookmobile

Battle of the Books

Kids Discovery Club

Día de los Muertos

Jamestown S’Klallam Youth Center

El Día Del Niño

Red Yarn Concert

Art in the Library

Greywolf Elementary

Halloween in Forks

Comix with Dana Sullivan

Poetry Slam

Puppet Making

Public Comments: