#ITSTARTS is a local awareness campaign with the goal of taking proactive steps toward addressing discrimination and racism in Simcoe County. Throughout the month of March, the #ITSTARTS Campaign promotes a unified community that embraces acceptance, inclusion, equity, and diversity.
We are a proud community champion of the #ITSTARTS Campaign, and we encourage everyone to join in this conservation and movement.
How to Get Involved
Share your message:
Pick up a card at the library or download a copy of the #ITSTARTS card. Write down how you can make Simcoe County a more inclusive place to live, snap a picture, and share it online! Don't forget to tag @simcoecounty (X), @CountyofSimcoe (Facebook), or @experiencesimcoecounty (Instagram) and use #ITSTARTS in your post.
Perform acts of inclusivity:
Host a multicultural lunch, learn about different cultures, ask questions, learn and use people’s pronouns, attend a diversity training, listen to everyone’s stories, and more – every action counts!
Educate yourself:
We have booklists for all ages to help - scroll down to see our Diversity Reads lists and place a hold in our catalogue myBPL. You can also visit the #ITSTARTS website for definitions and resources on how to take safe and purposeful action against racism and discrimination.
Challenge others:
Extend the challenge to friends, family, colleagues, and community leaders to take a stand. Remember, there is strength in numbers!
Attend #ITSTARTS community & BPL events:
Community champions are hosting events throughout March to encourage the community to join in the conversation. Here are some local events to check out:
⇒ #ITSTARTS Campaign Launch Social at The Mexican House
Friday, March 1 from 4-6pm @ The Mexican Social House (24 Maple Ave, Barrie)
Let’s launch the #ITSTARTS Campaign together! Drop in, mingle, and have some snacks with the Ethnic Mosaic Alliance! Email ethnicmosaicpartners@gmail.com to RSVP.
⇒ Celebrating Multiculturalism in Simcoe County & 8th #ITSTARTS Campaign
Saturday, March 2 from noon-4pm @ The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture (63 Tupper St W, Alliston)
Join for a day of fun, learning and celebration. Activities include DJ and cultural performances and educational games and crafts for kids. Cultural snacks are available for purchase.
⇒ March 21st International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Thursday, March 21 from 10am-3:30pm @ County of Simcoe Council Chambers (1110 Highway 26, Midhurst)
The Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership will be hosting free National Film Board screenings all day long in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. View the film schedule here.
#ITSTARTS Programming at the Library
As a community partner of #ITSTARTS, we are proud to offer many programs this March and throughout the year that align with the campaign:
English Conversation Circle
Saturdays in March: 11am-noon @ Downtown Library
Practice English, meet new friends, and learn more about life and culture in Canada. Challenge yourself to build your speaking confidence!
Ramadan Storytime
Wednesday, March 6: 10-10:30am @ Holly Library
Thursday, March 7: 10-10:30am @ Downtown Library
Saturday, March 9: 10-10:30am @ Painswick Library
Learn about the history and cultural celebrations of Ramadan through stories and activities.
Arts and Activism with UPlift Black – Youth United Speaker Series
Thursday, March 7: 6-7pm @ Downtown Library
In this workshop, led by Shelly-Ann Skinner (They/She) and Naesiah Shannon (She/Her), participants will engage in discussions about the power of art in activism, historical examples of art as a catalyst for change, and the role of artists as activists.
Indigenous Storytime
Friday, March 8: 10-11am @ Downtown Library
Bring your drum and join us for some traditional songs, and stories where we learn about Indigenous history and culture with Angelia, EarlyOn Indigenous Coordinator.
Travailler autrement (Work different) French Connexion Film
Wednesday, March 13: 7-8:30pm @ Downtown Library
Monday, March 18: 6-7pm (Online) *Registration required
On March 13, join our French Connexion Club to watch a National Film Board of Canada film Travailler autrement to celebrate Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF). RVF is a cultural event organized annually to celebrate International Francophonie Day (March 20), which promotes the French Language and the many ways it is expressed across Canada. The same film will be airing online on March 18, followed by discussion. The film will be shown in French with English subtitles.
Holi Indian Festival Storytime
Saturday, March 16: 10-10:30am @ Painswick Library
The festival of colours, Holi, is the most vibrant of all Hindu festivals. Enjoy a storytime learning about the Holi Indian Festival!
Bilingual French and English Storytime
Friday, March 22: 10-10:30am @ Downtown Library
Joignez-vous à nous pour des contes, comptines, danses, et chansons actives pour les enfants de tous âges accompagnés de gardien. All families who want to learn or get exposed to French are welcome.
Purim Celebration
Saturday, March 23: 10:30-11:30am @ Holly Library
Learn about the holiday Purim through stories, songs, rhymes and other activities. Costumes are encouraged!
Community Voices
Check out this special video series where BPL staff get to know our neighbours in and around Simcoe County, including the South Asian Association of Simcoe County, The Ethnic Mosaic Alliance, UPlift Black, and more!
Check out our Events Calendar for a full list of our programs throughout March.
Diversity Reads
The Diversity Reads reading challenge pushes you to discover the world from different perspectives, in the hope that learning about and celebrating our differences will bring us closer together. Download the Beanstack Tracker app to view our Diversity Reads book lists, track your progress, and share your learnings, or check out the carousels below for some examples of our Diversity Reads book lists.