The Palos Verdes Library District and the Peninsula Friends of the Library support our black community and acknowledge the conflict, pain and injustice suffered by black people across our nation. Our libraries strive to create a welcoming space for all, where differing points of view are encouraged and respected, and where learning and discussion can take place promoting a world free of racism. We recognize that institutions such as ours must constantly work towards dismantling racist structures to create a truly inclusive community. This includes a thorough review of our own policies and practices. The PV libraries remain strongly supportive of and committed to serving the needs of our entire diverse community, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious or political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, or age.
We share a profound sense of pain and loss from the recent as well as historic violence inflicted on Black lives. We also acknowledge and are disturbed by the xenophobia and racism those in our Asian American community are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are deeply committed to being there for the Palos Verdes Peninsula as a community space, physical and virtual, where all can come together and learn from each other.
We fully endorse and bring attention to recent statements by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), REFORMA, and the American Library Association. I have signed APALA’s pledge to make a commitment against xenophobia and racism against Asians and Asian/Pacific Americans due to COVID-19. We extend that pledge to all of our communities of color, especially our Black community. When we see instances of racism in our families, community, state, or nation, we vow to take a bold stance to condemn any language, attitudes, and behaviors that take us further from our goal of being an inclusive and equitable society.
It is with this commitment that we encourage our community members to join us in taking action and educating ourselves on racism by considering the following list curated by our librarians containing inspiring books, websites and podcasts. We recognize that this work to eliminate discrimination of all kinds is ongoing and that there are many more resources out there to be shared. Want more recommendations? Ask one of our librarians. We’re here for you all.