New Port Richey Public Library Promoting Diversity & Equal Opportunity Diversity Policy Plan
New Port Richey Public Library
Promoting Diversity & Equal
Opportunity
Diversity Policy Plan
Diversity Statement
Diversity is more than nationality, gender, race, physical ability and age. It’s also language, religion, heritage, talents, skills, beliefs, sexual orientation, education and life experiences.
Diversity is your library’s greatest asset. NPR Library is committed to both equal opportunity in employment as well as a diverse representation of materials and programming.
Diversity Statement
The library needs to attract and retain a skilled, competent and diverse workforce with opportunities for advancement, training and challenges for all.
Your library is dedicated to an inclusive, supportive, and open environment in which all people are respected as individuals and valued for their contributions.
The Plan
This plan is a living document; as your library continues its journey to build a culture of diversity, modification will be
necessary.
Advocacy
Goal 1: Advocacy
Create a workforce that is cognizant
of the library’s role and the importance
of promoting and managing diversity.
Advocacy
Objectives:
1. Provide a framework for managing diversity.
Actions:
• Opportunities to learn about the Diversity Plan
• Diversity Network
• Provide managers with tools.
Advocacy
Objectives:
2. Create policies and procedures that ensure all employees opportunities to accomplish the library’s mission as well as their own.
Actions:
• System of accountability and accomplishment for department heads
• Distribute diversity initiative updates to staff through a diversity newsletter
Recruit
Goal 2: Recruit
Develop the library’s potential workforce for the 21st century; attract and retain the
best and the brightest diverse employees in all areas.
Objectives:
1. Develop outreach programs that will attract high caliber diverse employees, provide exposure and stimulate interest in the library’s mission.
2. Increase workforce diversity in all areas of the library.
Recruit
Actions:
• Plan activities with colleges and industry to promote the library’s image and to attract quality staff.
• Identify community organizations that work specifically with diverse populations, i.e. physically impaired, language challenged, etc. and network with these agencies.
Recruit
Actions:
• Develop a program which introduces the library profession as a career to high school and college students. Market through career awareness and orientation programs.
• Create a directory of appropriate media and web sites to promote recruitment.
• Document the development of a plan that aggressively recruits a qualified and diverse applicant pool.
• Evaluate the a scholarship benefit for professional development.
ReflectGoal 3: Reflect
Reflect the people we serve and the
larger global community, providing a
wide range of opportunities for people
with diverse needs and interests.
Objectives:
1. Diverse programming
2. Diverse collection
Actions:
• Multilingual training, story hours and literacy/English as a Second Language classes
• Materials in alternate formats and languages
• Programming to cultivate and sustain a diverse community
Accountability
Measures and Accountability
• Meaurement increases credibility and benchmarks growth.
• Measurement may be done by a comparative process that includes baseline data.
Accountability
• Collect baseline data regarding the number of EEO complaints and grievances filed in the fiscal year: aim to reduce to 0.
• Collect baseline data regarding the number of employees who participated in diversity training: aim to increase participation by 100%.
• Develop a turnover report and establish tools such as exit interviews: aim to show a decrease in turnover.
• Collect baseline data regarding the number of materials and programs supporting diversity that are produced each year. Also monitor circulation statistics and program attendance with an aim to increase awareness and use.
Partnerships
Managing diversity requires change; it also requires staff at all levels to partner in this
effort. Specific efforts will be established with Human Resources, professional, community
and educational organizations.
"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich
tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads
of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their
color.”- Maya Angelou