DEI Initiatives
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Beaverton City Library
The following Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) action items are ways in which Beaverton City Library aims to:
- Reach populations that have been systemically underserved
- Increase access to books in "library deserts" to nourish a love of lifelong learning and reading within the community
- Reflect the diversity of our community within our services and resources
- Increase access to technology and lessen the digital divide
Recent DEI action items include:
Outreach
- The summer 2023 launch of our bookmobile, which carries materials to different locations around Beaverton, including parks, senior living facilities, apartment complexes, and more
- Distribution of thousands of free books to youth at free meal pickup sites
- Visits by our summer outreach team to seven local Title I schools
- Our Library on Wheels program, which serves thousands of children in Beaverton and the surrounding area
- The addition of a Library Outreach Specialist with a focus on adults (core audience includes newcomers, immigrants, and refugees)
Collections
- Increased circulating material budgets for non-English materials for kids and adults
- Conducted a diversity audit on children's and adult print collections to assess the range of diversity of authors and characters in our books and identify areas of growth
- Added several Community Bookshelves throughout the city, giving our neighbors access to books without having to check them out or return them
- Added annually to the Library of Things collection to provide access to STEM and recreational resources
- Added circulating Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots to make the Internet more accessible
Spaces
- Increased number of English / Spanish bilingual signage, webpages, and publications
- Established Partners in the Library, which includes Greater Good Northwest and CareOregon
- Host seasonal free Citizenship Classes
- Provide free computer classes and one-on-one tech help
Staff Development
- Formed Anti-Racism Action Committee made up of library staff
- Created DEI Toolkit through fellowship program
The Equity Everyday card was designed by library staff to help center equity while making decisions about our work (programming, outreach, storytimes, access, etc.)