This document discusses advancing social justice and equity in public libraries. It begins by framing the importance of social justice principles like belonging, opportunity, and abundance. It then outlines Madison's racial equity initiative and provides examples of libraries advancing equity through initiatives like empathy programs, embedded librarians, and read woke collections that promote representation and understanding across communities. The document advocates for universal design of services, active listening to marginalized groups, and collaboration over services to build relationships and advance equity.

1. Building Belonging
Libraries and Social Justice
Sarah Lawton
Neighborhood Library Supervisor
Madison Public Library
July 23, 2019

3. The Frames Behind our Stories
Individualism Interconnection
Othering Belonging
Stability Transition
Merit Opportunity
Scarcity Abundance
Stories shape and reflect what is valued in a society; frames
create the natural laws that give stories their gravity.
– Evan Bissell, Frames for Life, Liberation & Belonging

4. City of Madison Racial Equity & Social Justice Initiative
Mission: Establish racial equity and social justice as core principles in all decisions,
policies, and functions of the City of Madison.
Equity in
City
Operations
Equity in
City Policies
and Budgets
Equity in the
Community

5. Issue Paper:
Advancing Racial Equity in Public Libraries: Case Studies from the Field

6. “You can’t solve a problem by not talking about it.” – Franchesca Ramsey
https://youtu.be/UO1PcovTk90

7. Image from: The San Francisco Foundation: Harnessing the Power of Philanthropy to expand Opportunity for All

9. • Increase understanding and tolerance
• Foster safe and resilient communities
Social
Forum
• Engaged residents
• More women and people of color in leadership
Civic
Innovator
• Healthy communities in body and mind
• Sustainability and environmental stewardship
Holistic
Health
Advocate
• Elevate eastside arts landscape
• More integrated communities
• Preservation of culture
Cultural
Platform
• Close the digital divide
• Economic stability for families
• Sustainable eastside investment
Economic
Engine

11. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
We go beyond the “open” door.
LISTENING
We amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
COLLABORATION
We work in partnership with communities, not in service to them.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
We design our facilities and services around those communities
that face the greatest barriers to access, so that everyone
benefits.
Advancing Equity New Frames

12. Collaboration Built on Compassion
“When you stand in your own shoes, then you
are also standing in the shoes of all humanity.
Your experience becomes the foundation for
understanding the experience of others. This is
how we act with, instead of doing things for,
other people.”
- Pema Chodron

13. Social Justice Principles

15. Tamara King, Community Relations Director
2019 LJ Mover & Shaker – Change Agent
Fostering Empathy at Richland County Library
“[I]t matters less…what kinds of bags we
carry; what’s important is where and
how we choose to unpack them.”
• Social Awareness Task Force
• “Let’s Talk” Programs
• Community Dialogues
• “My Life Experience” Empathy Lab

16. “Collaboration is Key” at Marin County Free Library
Diana Lopez, Branch Manager & Education Initiatives Coordinator
2019 LJ Mover & Shaker – Advocate
• Embedded librarians in Freedom School
program
• Web Star Program
• Book Rich Environment (BRE) Initiative
“Representation matters…I understand the
power of seeing librarians that look like you.
I didn’t see a latino teacher until 9th grade
and I generally didn’t see people like me in
positions of authority. I want to empower
library patrons, especially kids.”

17. The Power of Stories – Reading for Social Justice
Cicely Lewis, Library Media Specialist
Meadowcreek High School, Norcross, Georgia
2019 LJ Mover & Shaker – Change Agent
“What is Read Woke? It’s a feeling. A form of
education. A call to action, and our right as
lifelong learners. It means arming yourself
with knowledge to better protect your rights.
Learning about others so you treat people
with respect and dignity, no matter their
religion, race, creed, or color.”

19. Sarah Lawton
Neighborhood Library Supervisor
Madison Public Library
slawton@madisonpubliclibrary.org
608/575-9418
Untitled, Shanna Strauss
https://www.shannastrauss.co
A regional symposium on equity,
diversity, inclusion and social
justice for public libraries
October 28-29, 2019
Chicago Public Library
http://www.ala.org/pla/education/
inperson/equity