Our choose-your-own-adventure EDI Framework offers an accessible, interactive approach to planning diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
We recommend starting with the Foundational Principles to ground your journey.
Organized by six key Areas of Focus – paired with five thought-provoking Themes, the Framework provides flexible prompts to inspire action at any level.
Foundational Principles
Unique Contributions
What do libraries and knowledge centers bring to this work?
Non-Closure
The pursuit of social justice and equity will never be “finished”.
Humility
You will always be educating yourself about EDI and there is no “mastering” this field. Give yourself grace!
Transparency & Accountability
Communicate your EDI goals, and your progress on those goals, clearly to patrons and library employees.
Themes
Representation
Do users and staff see themselves reflected in our space, staff, and services?
Do our policies articulate our commitment to an inclusive community?
Access
Have we considered the varying needs of different communities when it comes to using our resources and services?
Do staff members and users have resources to navigate EDI issues (e.g. implementation, addressing concerns, reporting incidents, etc.)?
Care & Repair
Do our systems and services proactively address and support the wellbeing of our users and the community?
Are there relationships that must be healed and repaired in order to live up to our EDI commitments?
Accountability
Are we accountable to our users and staff? Do we listen and respond to users and staff?
Are we transparent about our policies and procedures?
Can we avoid using EDI related data in empty or performative ways?
Do we use EDI data for decision making and monitoring progress towards achieving EDI goals?
Resources
Are staffing levels adequate for EDI work?
Do staff have the time for EDI work so it is not an “add on”?
Is there a budget for EDI work?
Areas of Focus
User Services
Outreach & engagement
Instruction
Reference services
Access services
Public events/programs
External community engagement
Collections
Collection development
Selection
Cataloging/metadata
Licensing
Collection highlights
Curated bibliographies
Culture & Climate
Management structure
User & staff policies
Relationships
Staff-focused events & programming
Professional development
Human Resources
Recruitment & hiring
Onboarding
Retention
Promotion
Pay & benefits
Library Spaces (physical & digital)
Space design
Exhibits
ADA compliance
UX design
Catalogs & search