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APL's Texas Three-Step EDI Launch

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APL's Texas Three-Step EDI Launch

Austin Public Library

Anti-Racism, Digital Equity and Inclusion | 2021

Innovation Synopsis

APL is the second entity in Austin, Texas to prioritize equity, diversity and inclusion enough to hire an equity officer to steward this necessary business segment. Creating an EDI footprint with early staff and community adoption is primary to building knowledge and increasing awareness surrounding the optics of the complex areas of EDI.

Challenge/Opportunity

Emphasizing and demonstrating the power of relationship building & community as tools to:

  1. Rebuild the EDI Team
  2. Gain early staff engagement as the pandemic phases out and libraries reopen
  3. Learn and build on the existing APL EDI framework aligning with current priorities

Key Elements of Innovation

  1. Celebrate: Acknowledge the EDI foundational work and players to build trust
  2. Elevate: transform the workplace culture during library re-opening and employee return to promote: R-Rated EDI Team Launch (Relaunch, Renew, Reset)
  3. Educate: Monthly EDI Team Lunch and Learns (Discussing ULC's Trigger Terms Articles) as framework to address PLC's history of racism and fostering an anti-racist library for all. Reserved seats with COA Equity Office for ELT to attend "Undoing Racism Training". Top down transformation plan.

Achieved Outcomes

First 60 days of the APL Equity, Inclusion office:

  1. Equity, & Inclusion & HRD produce an EDI Guide
  2. Launch EDI Share-point for staff access & reference. APL partnered with Austin Energy’s “Reading for Change”
  3. Partnered with local agencies to create BIPOC internships (APL Intern Taskforce)
  4. Launched monthly APL EDI Team Lunch & Learns addressing EDI priorities: Hiring/Retention/Collections/Programs/Services/Policy
  5. “Won't you be my neighbor" campaign (Branches submit annual EDI calendar action plans)