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Equity and Inclusion

We are working on increasing equity in our library services, and we want to hear from you. We have solicited input from our staff, and formed an Equitability Task Force to take action to better serve our BIPOC community members, LGBTQIA+ folks, people with disabilities, people experiencing poverty and houselessness, recent immigrants, New Americans, and others who may face barriers to library access. Please know that while we welcome your feedback and hope to hear from you, we are doing research into this ourselves, and do not expect our patrons belonging to any oppressed or marginalized group to do this work for us. We are librarians, dedicated to learning and to public service, and we are taking action.

Our Values

We believe the library can be a space for joy and fulfillment. All are welcome here, to learn, convene, collaborate, accomplish, and grow. Because libraries provide resources for individual exploration and community exchange, we believe the library can be a space for healing, where people come together, expand their consciousness, and transcend their pain. Learning and the intellect are fundamental to human life, and community life. We believe the library can be a transformative space.

For resources and engagement opportunities, visit Henrico County's Multicultural Community Engagement page.

Equity and Inclusion Initiatives at HCPL

We are committed to building equity at HCPL for the long term. Please check back to this page as we continue our work. We will add information about specific library services and resources that are added and augmented as we build equity at HCPL. If you wish to share your ideas, please contact Ha Hoang (hhoang@henricolibrary.org) with your questions, concerns, and suggestions about equitability of library services.

Future Goals

  • Computer access cards
  • Continued Staff training
  • Library Services Plan
  • Working with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Youth Staff Training

2023

  • Autism 101 Staff Training
  • All Henrico Reads with Jamie Ford and partners Asian American Society of Central Virginia
  • Began Art for All Abilities program with Art on Wheels, and Fun for All Abilities program series, for adults with developmental disabilities

2022

  • Secured scholarship funds for networking and conference opportunities including the Joint Conference for Librarians of Color
  • Diversity Audit of collection completed
  • Recruitment at Historically Black Universities Virginia State University and Virginia Union University
  • Partnered with the Virginia Down Syndrome Association Summer Employment Academy to provide career exploration assistance for high school students with Down syndrome

2021

  • Bias and Microagression Trainings facilitated by Charm Bullard from Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
  • WiFi Hotspot Lending program begins
  • Libros Latinoamericanos Book Discussion Group

2020

  • Spanish-language webpage
  • Equitability Task Force formed June 2020 to fast-track system-wide equity initiatives on administrative and policy levels
  • IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) committee formed June 2020 to increase equity and inclusion in public programming
  • Multilingual Translations of library welcome materials made available to all locations July/August 2020
  • Community Collections partnerships place library materials in waiting rooms at the Henrico Department of Social Services and the Department of Health East and West facilities

2019

  • PLA Inclusive Internship Initiative Summer 2019
  • Hiring notices placed with ALA Black Caucus and at HBCUs
  • First LGBTQIA+ Book Discussion Group
  • First Multilingual Storytime at Tuckahoe Library
  • Community Collections partnerships place library materials in Henrico Juvenile Detention facilities and Mental Health and Developmental Services' Connect program sites

2018

  • All Henrico Reads with Reyna Grande; community conversation about the immigrant experience in Henrico, April-May 2018
  • Diversity and Inclusion Staff Development training with Jonathan Zur of Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities October 2018
  • Homeward training for staff to assist people experiencing homelessness
  • First Bilingual Storytime at Libbie Mill Library
  • Autism 101 staff training with the Faison Center
  • Youth Services staff training with Side by Side
  • Sensory Storytimes for children on the Autism Spectrum available in Eastern and Western Henrico

2017

  • Fairfield Library community engagement and outreach for planning and design, 2017-2019
  • NASA @ My Library initiative to bring STEM education to libraries serving populations underrepresented in STEM career fields, 2017‑2019
  • Formation of HCPL Outreach Department
  • Mental Health First Aid Training
  • Next Chapter Book Club at Tuckahoe Library begins for adults with developmental disabilities