Office of Equity and Social Justice

The Office of Equity and Social Justice is situated in the Reading Public Library, a community resource that belongs to and welcomes all.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: oesj@ci.reading.ma.us
Telephone: 781-942-6752
Schedule an Appointment

Partners and Allies For Inclusive Reading (PAIR)

The Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ) announces the creation of the Partners and Allies for Inclusive Reading (PAIR). As a town-wide network, PAIR serves as a non-partisan advisory group to the Director of Equity and Social Justice and assists the division in establishing cross-community partnerships, assessing organizational needs, and collaboratively developing plans and programs to bring the Reading community together for the vision of a Reading for All. Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

The library thanks the Reading community for engaging in a thoughtful and thorough conversation around this new Division and moving forward with the position. The full press release regarding the position is here.

2021 Position Description

FAQs

Statement of Purpose and Proposed Structure

Statement of Purpose: At the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Human Rights Committee, the Board of Library Trustees (BoLT) will establish a Division of Equity and Social Justice within the Library Department. Led by the Director for Equity and Social Justice and with the assistance of a volunteer action and advisory board named the Reading Alliance for Equity and Social Justice (RAESJ), this new municipal division is will foster and support a Reading culture that promotes and celebrates diversity. Together with the Reading community, the division will work to honor our shared humanity, and also confront and respond to discrimination, racism, and bias. The purpose of this division is to educate, empower, and connect community members regardless of their social, cultural, or economic position.

Proposed Structure: The Town of Reading currently has a Human Relations Advisory Committee (HRAC) made of up volunteers appointed by the Select Board. HRAC will be incorporated into the new Division of Equity and Social Justice. The new division will consist of a paid director who works with the RAESJ which will have 8-14 members.

Helpful Terms

Ad Hoc Human Rights Committee: Sunset on December 31, 2020, this committee was created to help establish a human rights-focused organization. Appointed by and reporting to the Select Board, representatives included two members of the School Committee; two members of the Select Board (co- Chairs); and a member of the Board of Library Trustees.

Board of Library Trustees: A six member-elected board established by the Article 3, section 3.4 of the Town of Reading Charter.

Human Relations Advisory Committee (HRAC): An advisory group for and appointed by the Board of Selectmen. HRAC promotes and encourages respect for the human and civil rights of all Reading residents. HRAC sponsors outreach efforts and educational programs to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for diversity.

Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support: Established in 2006 and formerly knowns as RCASA, the Coalition started as a community initiative focused on improving community collaboration and reducing substance abuse. Since then, the coalition has built capacity within our community to address this complex issue and implemented a number of prevention initiatives.