Engaging to Empower: Honouring Student Sentiment and Voices to Implement a Holistic Approach in Creating an Inclusive and anti-Racist Library

Abstract

Emergent issues relating to equity and inclusion have highlighted the systematic and structural inequities experienced by society, which can deeply affect our student populations. While certain events have shone a light on the overt disparities between social, ethnic, and racial groups, they have also offered academic librarians an opportunity to make changes to their ethos and practices. This article will focus on a multiyear approach implemented by a university library to become more inclusive and anti-racist in response to our students’ voices. This holistic approach will showcase creative, practical, and manageable ways that academic libraries can become more closely attuned to the needs of all our students. By making changes relating to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) regarding policies, services, and collections, we can shape our practices and environment, resulting in a more transparent commitment to breaking down the structural boundaries of racism.