BALDWIN PUBLIC LIBRARY ANTIRACISM STATEMENT

June 15, 2020

Earlier this month, in a note to staff, the Baldwin Public Library Board of Directors condemned institutional racism and expressed its desire that Baldwin become a more effective antiracist organization. It invited staff to raise concerns and make suggestions for proactively improving BPL’s internal and external policies, practices, and behaviors. Also last week, the City of Birmingham, with which BPL is affiliated, issued a Proclamation on Social Injustice, which the Baldwin Public Library wholeheartedly endorses.

This week, we wish to state publicly that we stand alongside our peers, the American Library Association and Michigan Library Association, in condemning all violence and racism towards Black people, Indigenous people, and all people of color.

In company with other libraries all over the country, we will continue to share books and other resources with you and with each other that deepen our shared understanding of Black history, institutional racism, and systemic racial violence and inequality. Black lives matter.

Because racism is so pervasive in our society, we and our institutions are inherently implicated. Therefore, we must work actively to dismantle its roots. Thus, to further our educational mission, the Baldwin Public Library is actively examining its internal and external policies and practices through an antiracism lens. We are also committed to curating additional programming and partnerships to support antiracism work in our community. In the coming weeks and months, the Library will develop plans and benchmarks to ensure that our commitment to this cause truly does bear fruit.

We stand with the many library workers, patrons, and community members who are fighting for justice and equality. And we set forth a long-term commitment to becoming a more effective antiracist institution.

In solidarity,

Melissa Mark, President | Frank Pisano, Vice President | Jennifer Wheeler, Secretary | Ashley Aidenbaum | Karen Rock | Jim Suhay

Baldwin Public Library Board of Directors