Our library system spans a 611 square-mile metropolitan area with a diverse population of more than 1.2 million people. Last fall, Library Director Lois Langer Thompson stated in an internal staff blog, “libraries are a cornerstone of democracy and hope where all are welcome.” As library staff rallied around that message, we saw an opportunity to publicly affirm our values, particularly as patrons enter library spaces and interact with library staff.

Campaign concepts were developed by a cross-divisional team of library staff related to social justice and library work. All 41 libraries received signs for their entryways featuring the “All Are Welcome Here” message, and staff received lanyard buttons to wear on an opt-in basis. On social media, we shared this and similar messages such as “You belong here,” featuring photos of patrons reflecting our diverse communities.

Our goal was to restate, out loud, the library system’s long-held value of inclusion for all, and our hope was that the statement would resound with patrons and residents of the county. We see our success in the traction our messaging had on social media. Our initial, basic welcoming message, shared on Facebook at the end of January, had more than 1,200 effusive responses and had almost 300 shares.