All HCPL locations are closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.

Equity and Inclusion

We are working on increasing equity in our library services, and we want to hear from you. We have solicited input from our staff, and formed an Equitability Task Force to take action to better serve our BIPOC community members, LGBTQIA+ folks, people with disabilities, people experiencing poverty and houselessness, recent immigrants, New Americans, and others who may face barriers to library access. Please know that while we welcome your feedback and hope to hear from you, we are doing research into this ourselves, and do not expect our patrons belonging to any oppressed or marginalized group to do this work for us. We are librarians, dedicated to learning and to public service, and we are taking action.

Our Values

We believe the library can be a space for joy and fulfillment. All are welcome here, to learn, convene, collaborate, accomplish, and grow. Because libraries provide resources for individual exploration and community exchange, we believe the library can be a space for healing, where people come together, expand their consciousness, and transcend their pain. Learning and the intellect are fundamental to human life, and community life. We believe the library can be a transformative space.

For resources and engagement opportunities, visit Henrico County's Multicultural Community Engagement page.

Equity and Inclusion Initiatives at HCPL

We are committed to building equity at HCPL for the long term. Please check back to this page as we continue our work. We will add information about specific library services and resources that are added and augmented as we build equity at HCPL. If you wish to share your ideas, please contact Ha Hoang (hhoang@henricolibrary.org) with your questions, concerns, and suggestions about equitability of library services.

Future Goals

Computer access cards
Continued Staff training
Library Services Plan
Website Accessibility Training

2024

Side by Side presented training to library staff on Working with Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Youth
Henrico County Mental Health Services presented training to library staff on:
- CARE (Coordination, Assessment, Response, and Education) Children-focused Training
- CARE (Coordination, Assessment, Response, and Education) Teen-focused Training
- Adult Mental Health First Aid
Homeward RVA presented training for library Leadership and Adult Services staff regarding Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) Homeless Access 101 (Resources and Services for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity)
HCPL participated in Henrico Day at Virginia Union University and Virginia State University, sharing information about HCPL and promoting career opportunities

2023

Autism 101 Staff Training and distribution of Sensory Kits to branches
All Henrico Reads with Jamie Ford and partners Asian American Society of Central Virginia
Began Art for All Abilities program with Art on Wheels, and Fun for All Abilities program series, for adults with developmental disabilities

2022

Secured scholarship funds for networking and conference opportunities including the Joint Conference for Librarians of Color
Diversity Audit of collection completed
Recruitment at Historically Black Universities Virginia State University and Virginia Union University
Partnered with the Virginia Down Syndrome Association Summer Employment Academy to provide career exploration assistance for high school students with Down syndrome

2021

Bias and Microagression Trainings facilitated by Charm Bullard from Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
WiFi Hotspot Lending program begins
Libros Latinoamericanos Book Discussion Group

2020

Spanish-language webpage
Equitability Task Force formed June 2020 to fast-track system-wide equity initiatives on administrative and policy levels
IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) committee formed June 2020 to increase equity and inclusion in public programming
Multilingual Translations of library welcome materials made available to all locations July/August 2020
Community Collections partnerships place library materials in waiting rooms at the Henrico Department of Social Services and the Department of Health East and West facilities

2019

PLA Inclusive Internship Initiative Summer 2019
Hiring notices placed with ALA Black Caucus and at HBCUs
First LGBTQIA+ Book Discussion Group
First Multilingual Storytime at Tuckahoe Library
Community Collections partnerships place library materials in Henrico Juvenile Detention facilities and Mental Health and Developmental Services' Connect program sites

2018

All Henrico Reads with Reyna Grande; community conversation about the immigrant experience in Henrico, April-May 2018
Diversity and Inclusion Staff Development training with Jonathan Zur of Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities October 2018
Homeward training for staff to assist people experiencing homelessness
First Bilingual Storytime at Libbie Mill Library
Autism 101 staff training with the Faison Center
Youth Services staff training with Side by Side
Sensory Storytimes for children on the Autism Spectrum available in Eastern and Western Henrico

2017

Fairfield Library community engagement and outreach for planning and design, 2017-2019
NASA @ My Library initiative to bring STEM education to libraries serving populations underrepresented in STEM career fields, 2017‑2019
Formation of HCPL Outreach Department
Mental Health First Aid Training
Next Chapter Book Club at Tuckahoe Library begins for adults with developmental disabilities