PGCMLS: The Anti-Racist Library
Prince George's County Memorial Library System, Md.
Innovation Synopsis
PGCMLS redoubled its commitment to combating systemic violence and racism against Black Americans in 2020, in alignment with its new Strategic Framework 2021-2024 and the Black Lives Matter movement. The library's anti-racism work has accelerated and grown, with a new anti-racism web page, international virtual events and outreach.
Challenge/Opportunity
While Prince George's County is a majority-minority community with a majority Black population, the library has a responsibility to address systemic racism within its local context — inside the library and in the community at-large. Through partnerships and an internal equity, diversity, inclusion and antiracism committee, the library is charged with actively dismantling systemic racism for its staff, customers and community through direct action, partnerships and reflection.
Key Elements of Innovation
PGCMLS launched and regularly evolves its anti-racism web page, which is dynamic and reflects the full scope of the library's anti-racism work in programming, outreach and collections. The library has developed models for making anti-racism virtual programs accessible nationally through major partnerships that have a tangible impact on convening urgent community experiences to advance anti-racism. The Ibram X. Kendi event in July reached 348,920 viewers on six continents, as an example.
Achieved Outcomes
The library's combination of curated online resources, vital virtual programs (like "The Elephant We Don't See: A Diversity Dialogue") and internal work is providing a clear model for libraries on how to effectively advance anti-racism as a human rights issue in libraries, informed by the feedback and openness of staff and customers. The PGCMLS anti-racism web page and program have benefited people across North America, serving as a resource to staff and students at institutions ranging from Harvard and Gallaudet to USC.