Dear Barrie community,
We stand with our Black colleagues, friends, patrons and community. Anti-Black racism and social injustice are historical and current issues that we must condemn and work to dismantle, together.
The Barrie Public Library has joined dozens of Canadian public library systems to show our strong commitment to ending structural racism by signing CULC’s Statement on Race and Social Equity. This statement was originally endorsed by the Urban Libraries Council which includes over 160 libraries across North America. Libraries use this statement as a baseline for building progressive policies, activities and collaborative relationships to advance equity.
As a library, our values are rooted in inclusion, diversity, accessibility and education. We are a safe space for open dialogue, and we are proud to be a place where community comes together. We also acknowledge that we have work to do.
Learn along with us and keep the conversation going. We’ve compiled a list of resources on the Black Lives Matter movement. Reading, listening and learning allows us to better understand the issues at stake and why making this systemic change is so important.
We also encourage you to check out and support the many amazing organizations in our community working to make a difference, including Making Change Across Simcoe County and Our Mosaic Lives.
Together, we must stand up against injustice, prejudice and racism, around the world and right here at home.
Lauren Jessop
Barrie Public Library CEO