Library Goals & Plans
A good public library holds up a mirror to its community; a truly great public library both holds up a mirror to the community and opens a window out to the larger world. Through its services, collections, and relationships with the community, a library can help a community see itself more clearly as well as everything around it.
AAPI Statement of Solidarity
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a shocking escalation of hate crimes targeting AAPI communities. The recent murders and attacks on AAPI community members are horrific and frightening, and they are not isolated events. We acknowledge the long history of anti-Asian hate, harm, and violence in the United States. Such historic and contemporary attitudes, behaviors, and structural systems undermine our society and damage the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. The prevalence of disinformation, discrimination, xenophobia, and bigotry in our society compounds the harm.
As such, the Board of Library Trustees and the Reading Public Library reaffirm our mission of providing a place and platform of, by, and for the people that serves as a center and resource in the stand against racism and in working towards a more equitable and just society.
We commit to supporting our patrons, staff, other town departments, non-profits, and local businesses in our collective efforts to foster and support a Reading culture that promotes and celebrates diversity and our shared humanity.
Land Acknowledgement
The Reading Public Library is located on the seized ancestral lands of the Pawtucket band of the Massachusett tribe. Pawtucket, now called Lynn, is a vast territory that extends from the Piscataqua River in New Hampshire down to the Charles River. The Massachusett tribe are the descendants of the original people that the English first encountered in what is now the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We encourage everyone to learn more about the indigenous people that originated on this land.
Mission
The Reading Public Library is a center and resource for learning and civic engagement. We provide a place and platform of, by, and for the people who can benefit as individuals as well as contribute to the well-being of the community.
Core Values
Our Mission and Vision Statements are based on the following Core Values:
- Education
- Equity
- Accountability
- Access
Vision
Evolving together to strengthen communication, equity, collaboration, and learning.
Plan of Service
Every five years the Library goes through a strategic planning process that culminates in a long-term “Plan of Service” filed with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
On November 10, 2020, the Board of Library Trustees approved the Mission, Core Values, and Strategic Areas of Focus. The Board of Library Trustees approved a new Vision Statement on December 14, 2020.