The library’s mission states: “The mission of the library is to foster community and enrich the lives of individuals through learning, engagement and connection.”

We are fortunate to serve a community in which one in three individuals self-identifies as a ‘person of color,’ where one in five residents was born outside the United States and where more than a hundred languages are spoken by the families of children attending Beaverton schools.

As such, we all have an obligation to support our neighbors of color and to do our part in providing educational materials to help inform ourselves and members of the community about historic and present-day racism and injustices to Black people and all people of color in our country, state and community.

Below you will find a variety of information and educational resources designed for that purpose. It is our hope that they will help each of us grow in our understanding of these issues and bring us to a place of greater tolerance and understanding of our respective roles in perpetuating the status quo, whether intentionally, or unintentionally. And to grow stronger and more united as a community and truly provide ‘justice for all,’ as we say in the ‘Pledge of Allegiance.’

Glenn Ferdman
Director
Beaverton City Library, 6/5/20