PURPOSE

This policy affirms the Halton Hills Public Library’s (HHPL) commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of its governance and operations. HHPL strives to provide welcoming spaces, inclusive services, and diverse collections that both reflect and serve the community. This policy supports HHPL’s mission, vision, and values, and reinforces our commitment to accessible, equitable service for all.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all HHPL staff, volunteers, and Board members, and extends across all areas of library operations and governance, including planning, collections, programs, services, spaces, communications, and community partnerships.

DEFINITIONS

Accessibility: The design of services, environments, and communications in ways that remove barriers, ensuring that all individuals, including those with disabilities, can fully participate and benefit from library services.

Diversity: The range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ancestry, place of origin, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, mental ability, and education and political beliefs, many of which are listed within the Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, chapter H.19 s. 5 (1).

Equity: Equity means fair and just treatment of all individuals by acknowledging and addressing systemic barriers, historic disadvantages, and individual needs to ensure everyone has access to opportunities, resources, and the ability to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Equity-Deserving Communities: Groups who face barriers to full participation in society due to factors such as race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or other intersecting identities.

Inclusion: The intentional act of creating environments and spaces in which any individual or group feels welcomed, valued, respected, supported, and can fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect in words and actions for all people.

Systemic Barriers: Systemic barriers are embedded within the policies, practices, and procedures of institutions and result in inequitable access to resources, services, and opportunities.

DETAILS

Statement of Commitment

HHPL affirms the dignity and worth of all individuals and is committed to fostering an environment of understanding, inclusion, and respect. HHPL’s belief in the inherent dignity of every person is grounded in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code, and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. HHPL endorses the Canadian Federation of Library Associations Position Statement on Diversity and Inclusion and the Canadian Urban Libraries Council’s Statement on Race and Social Equity. These commitments guide decision-making, planning, and service delivery.

HHPL acknowledges and respects the rights of Indigenous Peoples and recognizes the ongoing impacts of colonization. As part of our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the library supports the principles of Truth and Reconciliation, actively includes Indigenous voices, histories, and perspectives in its collections, programs, services and spaces, and aligns its efforts with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Truth and Reconciliation Report.

Collections

HHPL maintains collections that reflect the diversity of cultures, languages, identities, and lived experiences in the community. Materials that represent a broad range of voices and perspectives are selected. HHPL acknowledges the importance of inclusive and culturally respectful cataloguing practices, such as incorporating Indigenous subject headings where appropriate.

Programs and Services

Programs and services reflect the diverse experiences of the Halton Hills community, respond to local needs, and are developed in consultation with community members and organizations. HHPL values the lived experience of equity-deserving communities and recognizes that these perspectives are essential to developing relevant and inclusive programming.

HHPL also supports the use of inclusive displays and offers programs and services that reflect the diversity of the community, including cultural celebrations, heritage months, and observances of significance to local groups.

Spaces

HHPL provides welcoming physical and virtual spaces that are inclusive and accessible to all. Facilities and signage are designed to be bias-free and support dignity and respect, including gender-inclusive washrooms and clear navigation for all users.

HHPL strives to ensure that all spaces promote dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity in alignment with the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

HHPL is committed to maintaining an environment that is respectful and free from harassment and discrimination. Expectations for conduct are outlined in the Code of Conduct for Library Users and apply to all visitors, staff, and volunteers.

Staff and Board Development

HHPL is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Staff and Board members receive training in areas such as accessibility, anti-racism, and cultural awareness. Recruitment and retention strategies aim to reflect the diversity of the community and support inclusive leadership practices.

Organizational Practice

HHPL acknowledges that systemic barriers can limit access to services, opportunities, and participation, and that these barriers disproportionately affect marginalized or underserved communities. The library is committed to identifying and addressing these barriers through continuous review of policies, practices, and service design.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are integral to HHPL’s governance and operational decision-making. An inclusion lens is applied to identify and address barriers to access. Library policies, procedures, and services are reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with equity, diversity and inclusion principles.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

• Canadian Federation of Library Associations Position Statement on Diversity and Inclusion, 2008

• Canadian Urban Libraries Council Statement on Race and Social Equity, 2017

• Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA-FCAB) Truth and Reconciliation Report, 2017

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (2015)

• Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005

• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982

• United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights