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The Wisconsin Division for Libraries and Technology just released a new statement on Inclusive Services:  What Does It Mean to Be Inclusive?

It’s a great explanation of what we mean when we talk about making library services more inclusive.   You can check out the WI Libraries for Everyone blog post Tessa Michaelson Schmitt wrote about it, or you can just read the statement, it is short and sweet and inspiring!

Some of my favorite sentences:

The practice of providing inclusive services requires continuous reflection and ongoing dialog with and betweenlibrary administration, staff, and members of the community, with particular emphasis on including the voices of those who are underserved, underrepresented, and underrecognized within the community.

On a concrete level, inclusive services should be visibly incorporated into all library services. The concept that libraries are for everyone should be evident through every point of access or interaction with the library.

When libraries honor the full diversity of their communities, communities thrive.

I’m looking forward to using this statement as a guidepost as I try to help libraries with these efforts.  Please let me know if you’d like to talk more about it or any of the ideas this statement gives you!