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Phase two of library equity and diversity audit continues

The audit is being used to improve programming
2019-04-22 BWGLibrary
File photo. Miriam King/Bradford Today
NEWS RELEASE
BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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The Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library continues to make positive changes to realize the Board and staff’s strategic vision to improve the library with the goal of fostering community-led programming, diverse and inclusive community services, and improved facilities.

“A variety of initiatives are underway to drive progressive change throughout the organization,” said Board Chair Jennifer Harrison. “We have expanded our hours after the COVID-19 shutdowns and will soon be opening our new Creative Centre to offer new, free services in digital and graphics technology to patrons. We also are thrilled at the positive response to our new fines-free policy, which will greatly improve access to library services for our most vulnerable families and seniors within the BWG Community.”

“As part of our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive Library and Cultural Centre, we have undertaken an equity and diversity audit of all our policies and are working on phase two of that action plan to improve programming. This focus on anti-racism and diversity work will also dovetail with our upcoming service-delivery review, the first time the library system will take a holistic look at programing and operations to modernize and operate in an increasingly digital world, and to better reflect the increasing diversity in our society,” said Board vice-chair and Councillor Jonathan Scott. “These efforts also fit in quite well with the recent vote of library staff to unionize and join the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). We respect employee rights and look forward to the new working relationship with unionized staff as we also work to realize this overall progressive vision to improve our library.”

“Throughout COVID-19, library staff have worked to adjust to changing realities of provincial regulations, even as these modernization initiatives were underway,” said Harrison. “I want to thank our new CEO, Matthew Corbett, for driving these changes forward, and all our staff for their dedication to serving the community.”

CEO Matthew Corbett said, “Our mandate is to deliver on our strategic plan to improve the library’s programming, operations and a focus on diversity. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, I’m so pleased at the progress we are making, and look forward to continuing to realize this vision as we approach the 2022 budget and the return of Board meetings later this month after the summer break.”

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