WiLS Supports Equity + Anti-Racism Work in Our Member Community
Our members are confronting an increasing number of challenges to their collections, displays, services, and programs: from books dealing with sexuality and gender identity; to proclamations of commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion; to community efforts to promote voting and other civil rights.
We stand in solidarity with our members who are actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and reject attacks on intellectual freedom.
As a member-facing organization, WiLS is a champion for the founding principles of librarianship and for the well-being of our members. We recognize the essential role libraries play in our democracy: to support an informed citizenry, offer diverse and widely representative collections, and serve as a community space where respectful dialogue and learning can take place. We are strongly in opposition to efforts intended to diminish or thwart that essential role. WiLS supports the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics for libraries and we are committed to our own organizational values, particularly our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
KEY AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ETHICS
We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources. (Freedom to Read statement, 1957)
We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
We affirm the inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to recognize and dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity and oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and associations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, services, and allocation of resources and spaces.
KEY WILS ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES
We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We believe our community is stronger when people with a wide array of experiences and perspectives come together. We strive to create thoughtful and respectful environments where those interactions can take place.
We stand up for our members and their values.
We are champions for the founding principles of librarianship and for the well-being of our members.