Joanna Bailey, Director, Neill Public Library
Hate. Love. Racism. Equality. Fear. Human Rights. Sexism.
Peace. Xenophobia. Unity.
These words are everywhere lately and whether spoken or
read elicit a strong emotional response from all of us. Words are some of
the strongest communication tools we use. Words can build or
destroy. They can hurt or heal. Words can become a weapon or an
olive branch. A bullet or a healing salve. As selectors of our own
words, we are responsible and must be held accountable for the words we
choose.
My profession is built on words. I read a lot of
words and I like to talk even more. But lately I’ve been doing a lot of
listening to what you, our library patron, have to say. Our conversations
have been heart-breaking, honest and vulnerable. As a parent, business
owner, visiting student or faculty, I thank you for sharing with me that Neill
Public Library is your identified safe space within this community. You
feel welcome and respected here. You feel safe to be who you are without
fear of judgment, persecution, or retaliation. You find staff helpful,
friendly and kind, delivering the right balance of care and attention to you
and to everyone. In your words, “The library doesn’t care what I believe
in, who I love, or how much money I make. Here, everyone has the same
rights and everyone receives the same service.” Yet another reason why
having a vibrant responsive public library is essential to its community.
Especially these days.
I am humbled by your words. Humbled and grateful to
be a part of something so positive and important for our community. I am
exceedingly proud to be part a staff team who work hard to ensure their actions
reflect the library’s core service values of providing an open environment
without judgement and with access for all.
Open. Without Judgement. Access for
all. Public libraries take this charge very seriously. We
intentionally foster a wide diversity of ideas, information, stories, and
opinions. We believe a well-informed citizenry is a cornerstone of
democracy, so we create opportunities for you to gain knowledge and engage in
peaceful deliberative conversation. We purposefully build collections and
offer programs that reflect the broad interests of our shared community. Our
policies and practices are rooted in defense of your civil liberties and
protect your right to choose to use, or not use, the resources we offer.
The result is a word-filled environment that is dynamic and respectful and
feels safe, inclusive and welcoming.
This same environment is not limited to libraries.
Imagine how much better our world could be if we each chose love over hate,
knowledge over assumption, compassion over judgment. It starts with the
words we choose.
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