The primary purpose of the NJ Statewide EDI Initiative is to coordinate the EDI-related activities and projects of our professional organizations throughout the state, aligning them with the EDI Framework for NJ Libraries. This project will provide a roadmap and framework to establish a sustainable environment for the EDI efforts of NJ libraries and library organizations.Strategic Roadmap for the ‘EDI Framework for NJ Libraries’ Project

Project Goals & Objectives:

Goal 1: Build Capacity for EDI: Increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities of library staff across New Jersey in understanding and implementing EDI principles.
Implement a collective EDI assessment of LibraryLinkNJ, NJLA, and NJSL for their service and programs to foster EDI in libraries, as the major service providers to the NJ library community, by the end of July 2024.
Develop and offer a leadership training workshop for library directors by the end of September 2024.
Design and develop DEIA Toolkit for Directors by the end of November 2024.
Establish an EDI resource hub for ongoing learning and support accessible to all library staff, including training modules, by the end of December 2024.
Host an in-person program to share project progress with the NJ library workers and foster an environment for statewide collaborations in Spring 2025, possibly at a library conference.

Goal 2: Foster Inclusive Library Environments: Create welcoming, inclusive, and safe library environments for diverse populations, promoting equity and respect for all.
Develop Individual and Institutional EDI assessment and audit modules for library staff and libraries by the end of August 2024, which will enable NJ libraries to self-assess their environments and practices annually.
Implement pilot projects with ten selected multitype libraries, using the EDI assessment and audit modules, by the end of May 2025.

Goal 3: Strengthen Diverse Staff Power in Library Workspace across New Jersey to Serve the Diverse Communities More Effectively.
Develop and host at least three (3) special events through Culture Connection by the end of June 2025.

Goal 4: Enhance Library Services and Accessibility: Improve the accessibility and inclusivity of library services for all customers, especially underserved and marginalized communities within New Jersey.
Conduct a statewide assessment survey of library services to identify accessibility and inclusivity gaps by the end of November 2024.
Launch an initiative to incorporate diverse voices in library programming by creating a performers & speakers database by the end of June 2025.