Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the West Linn Library

The West Linn Library wants all community members to feel welcome. Below are the ways in which the library is working to meet our DEIB goals.

Collections

• Along with other LINCC libraries we started a Library of Things collection in 2019 and are regularly adding items. The collection includes kitchen appliances, sewing machines, board games, and more.
• The library has provided access to Kanopy since 2018. Patrons with a West Linn library card can access free online films including international films, documentaries, TV series, Great Courses, and more.
• Patrons can access thousands of free ebooks, e-audiobooks, and digital magazines using the Library2Go website or the Libby app, all from the comfort and convenience of home.
• Through the Cultural Pass Express program patrons have free access to more than a dozen gardens, museums, parks, and other venues.
• In 2022, library selectors utilized the Ingram iCurate Diversity Audit Report to analyze our holdings to ensure inclusion throughout youth and adult collection on a variety of cultures and interests.
• Our professional staff carefully consider their material selection to ensure diversity of representation when it comes to topics, authors, formats and languages.
• The library regularly highlights our collections in coordination with special events such as Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Native Heritage Month, and more.
• Library Director Doug Erickson, with support of City of West Linn Leadership, wrote a letter to the West Linn-Wilsonville School District regarding a recent process to reconsider school library materials after complaints from parents.  Recently there has been both a local and national trend to target books by and about the LGBTQIA community, BIPOC people and other marginalized groups. 

Programs & Events

ADULTS

• With the support of the West Linn Library Foundation, in 2022 the library began a subscription to the Library Speakers Consortium which offers 2-3 live virtual author events per month featuring a vibrant mix of best-selling authors and Pulitzer Prize winners on a wide range of interesting topics. Authors of color have included Alka Joshi, Marcia Chatelain, Michele Harper, and Kwame Christian. Recordings of these events are available for viewing on-demand after the program.
• During the pandemic the library started the Letters for Community program, an all-ages, community-wide event that seeks hand-written letters and wellness cards to support and bring joy to those in West Linn living in isolation, such as residents at Tanner Spring and homebound individuals.
• Through our Homebound Program, the library offers free service to library patrons who are unable to visit our library due to illness or disabilities. Patrons in this program receive once-a-month deliveries of books and other library materials.
• Every few months the library offers free spice club kits to patrons. The goal of the program is to introduce patrons to uncommon spices such as ajwain seeds, berbere, and gochugaru.
• In 2022-2023 the library partnered with local organizations to offer a Women’s BIPOC Speaker Series. Events were held in-person at Mary’s Woods and the library facilitated a livestream option for people to watch the events from home.
• The library has partnered with the West Linn Alliance to offer DEI events to the community, including a virtual book/film discussion series and Oregon Humanities Conversation Project speakers such as Chisao Hata and Astrid Castro.
• To celebrate Juneteenth in 2024 the library hosted Valerie Craigwell White from Lewis & Clark College. The recording is available on YouTube.
• For the convenience of our patrons the library tries to offer most of our adult programs in a virtual format, including live-streaming the in-person programs that take place in the building. Whenever possible we also strive to make recordings of these programs available for on-demand viewing after the event.
• Patrons needing help with technology can make an appointment at the Information Desk to meet with a librarian for 30 minutes of one-on-one assistance.

YOUTH

• The StoryWalk® at Fields Bridge Park was installed in June 2022 as a way to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from picture books are displayed along a paved path that is accessible to all. StoryWalks promote early literacy, physical activity and family together in nature. They are also an opportunity to reach community members who may not come to the library. Stories are swapped out on a regular basis and text is displayed in both English and Spanish.
• Our youth librarians collaborate with Wilsonville youth librarians on a monthly primary school newsletter that includes DEIB topics and is shared widely with West Linn-Wilsonville School District educators. Recent themes include freedoms, togetherness and belonging, and ability.
  The library resumed Ni Hao Storytime in 2022, a storytime in Chinese for which all language levels from novice to fluent are welcome. We regularly offer a Lunar New Year celebration for youth, ranging from lion dancers to a take-and-make kit to a special storytime.
• In 2019 the library hosted a LBGTQ+ holiday event for teens after-hours. It was the first time this event has been held in Clackamas County.

ALL AGES

• In 2022 the library hosted our first ever Diwali Celebration working with the Affinity Clubs of both West Linn and Wilsonville High School.
• The library worked with local organization Building Bridges to host a Multicultural Fair in September 2021 and the first ever Juneteenth Celebration in June 2022 featuring educational booths, food, live music, vendors and more.
• In 2024 the library hosted local author Waka T. Brown for a reading and discussion. The recording is available on YouTube.
   

Services

• Four remote book drops are available for returning library materials throughout the community. Additionally there are book returns available at every public school in West Linn. A variety of options are available to make it that much easier to return materials on time, thus avoiding fines while minimizing transportation barriers.
• After-Hours Library Locker: A self-service locker is available 24/7 to make it that much easier to pick up holds or for those who may be concerned about visiting the library in-person or are unable to visit during our open hours.
• Complimentary notary service is provided for residents of West Linn by appointment.

Languages

• In December 2024, the World Language collection for kids grew to include books in Russian!  Due to the generosity of the West Linn Library Foundation, our initial collection consists of 115 titles.
• We expanded our Youth World Language collection to include books in Chinese for kids in September 2022. This collection includes both simplified and traditional titles to share with our community as well as support the new Chinese Dual Language Program at Bolton Primary school. 
• Books in Spanish are available for all ages.The Spanish collection for youth was expanded in the Youth Teen and Teen sections to include both popular titles as well as graphic novels in December 2021.
• In February 2021 the library added numerous Large Print titles throughout our kids, young teen, and teen sections. Research has shown these to be particularly helpful in supporting youth with dyslexia and autism.
• Patrons can choose from nearly 500 world-language films in our DVD/Blu-Ray collection.
• The library’s collection contains books, CDs, and DVDs for learning Spanish, German, French, and other languages. 

Staff Development

• Several library staff members are in the process of completing their Cultural Competency Certificate through Chemeketa Community College. The long-term plan is for all library staff members to participate in this highly interactive workshop to gain a great understanding of the complexity of our diverse communities.
• Two staff members attended a virtual multi-week class offered by Library Journal in 2018 called Equity in Action: Taking Your Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives to the Next Level.
  The theme of the 2019 LINCC All Staff Day was Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and included topics such as LGBTQ+ Inclusive Libraries and Recognizing Bias.