The Talbot County Free Library is committed to making all community members feel welcome, heard, and supported, and to providing the resources and services that allow everyone in the community to thrive. The Library supports equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and encourages constructive conversations toward those goals. We commit to taking an active role in advancing social equity through the availability of diverse programs, collections, and resources for all ages, and by providing opportunities to gather in a shared space of fellowship. This work is ever evolving and requires all of us to continue to stretch, grow, set new goals, and most importantly to be kind and supportive of one another.
TCFL has joined other public libraries in adopting and supporting the following Statement of Race and Social Equity of the Urban Libraries Council which includes:
- Eliminating racial and social equity barriers in library programs, services, policies, and practices
- Creating and maintaining an environment of diversity, inclusion, and respect both in our library systems and in all aspects of our community role
- Ensuring that we are reaching and engaging disenfranchised people in the community and helping them express their voice Serving as a convener and facilitator of conversations and partnerships to address community challenges
- Being forthright on tough issues that are important to our communities
Libraries are trusted, venerable, and enduring institutions, central to their communities and an essential participant in the movement for racial and social equity.