equity,
diversity,
INCLUSION

We're committed to providing services and creating a welcoming environment for everyone. Here are our definitions of equity, diversity, and inclusion:

Equity: providing fair and just treatment, access, and opportunity to level the playing field for oppressed and disadvantaged groups also known as historically, intentionally, and traditionally marginalized people groups (HITMPGs).

Diversity: having people from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, education levels, abilities, ages, genders, sexual orientations, economic statuses, perspectives, and/or lived experiences.

Inclusion: being a place where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully, and are valued for their unique skills, experiences, and perspectives.

The library is working on incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in its next strategic plan. 

Learn about why we're doing this work
Read RGW's Discovery Report
View the Equity Strategic Plan
Urban Libraries' call for Anti-Racist Executive Leadership for Public Libraries

DGPL hopes to help other organizations through its leadership. Below are some resources, created and shared, by DGPL staff. 

ILA Reporter Article: Making Decisions Centered Around EDI
Library Journal Article: Anti-Hate Statements: how and why to write one for your library
ILA Reporter Article: Land Acknoweldgments: a mindful approach
DGPL's framework for releasing anti-hate statements
09/23/2020: Listening Session: Board of Trustees

DOING THE WORK

STREAM PAST EVENTS

Cover to Cover

  • Episode 37: Film Discussion: The Friendliest Town
    Celebrate Black History Month with Lauren, Cindy, and Ed as they unpack their viewing of The Friendliest Town, a documentary about a small-town's first Black police chief's abrupt firing. 
  • Episode 34: Behind the Scenes: DGPL's Land Acknowledgment
    Get a behind-the-scenes look at the library's Land Acknowledgment in a Q&A session with ATS Librarian Van McGary: hear about what prompted the library to make a land acknowledgment, how it was written, and why it's important. Organization of the Month: Hope's Front Door.
  • Episode 27: Book Discussion:How to Be an Anti-Racist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

Pronouns Matter: Beyond He and She
Learn about different pronouns, when and how to use them, and how to be an ally.

The Color of Law: & Reversing Segregation with Richard Rothstein
Author & researcher Richard Rothstein presents on the policies that led to racial segregation in American communities, and what can be done to reverse these practices and work towards racial equity. Co-sponsored by multiple Illinois libraries and held in partnership with Racial Awareness in the North Shore (RAIN), Together is Better Alliance (TiBA). Additional Video: Segregated By Design (17 mins)

An evening with Author Cathy Park Hong, "Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning"
Ms. Hong discusses her NYTs book “Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning,” a collection of honest, emotionally charged, and utterly original essays that explore Asian American consciousness. 

Richard Wright's Grandson Talks about Wright's Lost Book - The Man Who Lived Underground
Malcolm Wright in conversation with leading scholar Farah Jasmine Griffin. A discussion of Wright's powerful novel about police brutality that is as relevant today as when it was originally written.  

Listening Session: Policing in Downers Grove
Active listeners, Downers Grove Village Manager Dave Fieldman, Chief of Police Shanon Gillette, and District 99 Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele, responded and listened to community members. Comments were able to be submitted before the event, and remained anonymous. 

District 99's Response to Unanswered Questions


There's No Place That's Home: A Panel Discussion on Homelessness in Downers Grove

Panelists: Mayor Bob Barnett, Downers Grove; Janell Robinson, Hope's Front Door; Amy LaFauce, DuPage Catholic Charities; Dr. Hank Thiele, Dist. 99 Superintendent; Dr. Kevin Russel, Dist. 58 Superintendent.