DEI Working Group Training Plan
Vaughan Public Libraries
Innovation Synopsis
Vaughan Public Libraries Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee developed a training plan for the years 2024-2026, covering a wide range of topics such as Anti-Asian Racism awareness, Intergenerational Training, mental health, anti-semitism awareness and much more. These trainings provide learning opportunities for staff in all departments and positions throughout the organization. Further, the DEI Committee created two working groups among its members to investigate, propose and facilitate the arrangement of additional trainings, programs, and services available to both staff and the public. These subgroups are dedicated to Truth & Reconciliation and Neurodivergence.
Challenge/Opportunity
VPL’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is a three-year time commitment for staff volunteers. As we embarked on a new term with new members in 2024, staff training was identified as the focus. With DEI covering such a broad scope and with so many positions within the organization, it was important to create a structure to our training plan to ensure as many topics as possible could be adequately covered and each department (public-facing and nonpublic-facing) could benefit.
Key Elements of Innovation
The objective of the training plan is to cultivate a culture of awareness around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The goal is to provide consistent training to all staff about DEI and to empower staff to engage with DEI concepts and principles. This awareness and empowerment will serve as a foundation for our services and programs, thus touching all aspects of VPL and our community. This guides us to be a more knowledgeable, empathetic, and representative community hub. The training includes a combination of online, in-person and self-directed learning to capture different learning styles. Spacing the training out over a three-year period ensures staff workload remains manageable and accommodates full attendance.
Achieved Outcomes
During Indigenous Heritage Month, we hosted displays explaining the history of our Land Acknowledgement and highlighting material from our collection featuring Indigenous authors, titles, and subjects.
The Moccasin Identifier is an Indigenous-led initiative that aims to cover Canada in Moccasins so all Canadians will understand their Treaty responsibilities and the land they stand on. The program was hosted for 65 students in grades 4-6
We launched the Canadian Mental Health Association “Not Myself Today” campaign, in alignment with Canadian Mental Health Week. Providing a series of tools and education to support mental health in the workplace. Staff has access to a learning portal with core modules, which includes a Manager resource center.
Self-directed courses made available for staff. Including, Homeless De-escalation training,4 Seasons of Reconciliation, Call It Out: Racism, Discrimination and Human Rights, and Human Rights 101. Intergeneration. training attended by 199 staff
