Our goal is to increase our understanding and create best practices related to equity, diversity, and inclusion as it affects our employees, volunteers and community. An equal, diverse, and inclusive workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability is values and respected. We are committed to a non-discriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are values and heard.
Outdoor Flags
Every year, federal and state capitols and other government agencies recognize events, organizations, and people by flying various flags. Palatine Library has a board-approved flag policy(see: Policy 3, section 20). The Library flies the United States flag outside the Main Library building to represent our history, pride, and principles. With Board approval in 2023, we decided to fly four additional flags alongside the American flag: the POW/MIA flag, the Intersex Progress Pride flag, the Juneteenth flag, and the Disability Aware-ness flag. We hope that these additions make our community feel welcome and raise awareness. Read on to learn more about these flags and how we chose them.
Land Acknowledgment
July 2021 - we acknowledge that the Palatine area was originally inhabited by the Algonquian people including the Myaamia (Miami) and Bodewadmi (Potawatomi). Native groups including Hoocak (Winnebago/Ho'Chunk) and the Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) also have ancestral ties to the area. The Bodewadmi had the most extensive presence in the Palatine area and there are reports of interactions between them and European settlers in the 19th century. These native groups were stewards of the land until their removal from the area under the terms of the Treaty of Chicago in 1833. White settlers occupied their native lands in the Palatine area beginning in the 1830s and native people were gradually erased.
We recognize past harms done to the Indigenous people of Palatine and celebrate the accomplishments of Indigenous nations through the library's role as a space for connection and exchange of ideas.
We ask that you reflect on the injustices done to Native nations both in the past and in the present.
Information on the Citizen Potawatomi Nation can be found here.
EDI Statement
During the summer of 2020, nationwide conversations about race and inequity illuminated systemic racism and the injustices that Black Americans face. As a community partner that values diversity and access, Palatine Library District is dedicated to confronting inequity and creating an inclusive, welcoming environment that inspires connection. We are committed to growing collections, services, and programs that champion equity, diversity, and inclusion.
This mission has inspired us to take these actions:
- Founding a staff-led Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee to examine our Library policies and practices
- Launching an EDI discussion group for staff, to encourage personal reflection and cross-departmental conversations
- Creating diverse reading lists for our members that feature messages of anti-racism
- Seeking out more diverse titles and authors for our print and digital collections
- Incorporating more diverse titles and authors into our displays and recommended reading lists
Going forward, we pledge to continue the work of healing our community and standing against racism by offering programs for all ages that celebrate diversity and social justice. We will publish programs in our newsletters, website, and social media.
Palatine Library District welcomes everyone. We are learning and listening. Let's build a better future together.
Statement Against Anti-Asian Violence
March 2021 - The staff and Board of Palatine Library District stand in support of Asian and Pacific Islanders who are experiencing an increase in hate crime, violence, and harassment. Palatine Library District does this in solidarity with the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), Illinois Library Association (ILA), American Library Association (ALA) and the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), recognizing and strongly condemning the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States.
Asian and Pacific Islanders should feel safe and free from racial discrimination in all public spaces. At Palatine Library District, it is our mission to welcome everyone to access diverse materials, collaborative spaces, technology, programs, and services.
