The Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS) believes in working together to cocreate a society that is free from structural inequities.
MHLS commits to inclusion and making full use of the talents, skills, experience, and cultural perspectives available in a multi-ethnic and diverse society, where people feel they are respected and valued, and can achieve their full potential regardless of race, religion, nationality, national or ethnic origins, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or age.
As a cooperative library system, we commit to working with our member libraries to create space for discussion, self-reflection, and resources to aid in the development of more inclusive collections, programs, and partnerships. Our overarching goal is to build empathy, respect and understanding among neighbors, to activate civic engagement, and to build community resilience that will authentically uphold our core values of diversity, democracy, and social responsibility.
We realize that we are on a journey to learn, understand and act to eliminate structural inequities and this policy is just the beginning. We recognize that there is no “finish line”, but instead a continuous process of teaching and learning.
Approved: May 12, 2021