Mission
The Jesup Library nourishes minds, enhances lives, and builds community.
Vision Statement
The Jesup is a vibrant center for educational exchange where we connect people to ideas, information, and each other. We are a welcoming place for community dialogue. The library opens doors with our activities and resources for those who live and work here, and for those who visit. The Jesup offers programming that is inclusive and expansive, and provides space for community groups to do the same. We integrate new technology to serve as the hub for access to information from sources local and worldwide. We embrace change to meet the needs of our diverse community.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Values Statement
We value diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in our work at the Jesup Library. The American Library Association defines these words in this way.
“Equity” takes difference into account to ensure a fair process and ultimately, a fair outcome. Equity recognizes that some groups were (and are) disadvantaged in accessing educational and employment opportunities and are, therefore, underrepresented or marginalized in many organizations and institutions. Equity, therefore, means increasing diversity by ameliorating conditions of disadvantaged groups.
“Diversity” can be defined as the sum of the ways that people are both alike and different. When we recognize, value, and embrace diversity, we are recognizing, valuing, and embracing the uniqueness of each individual.
“Inclusion” means an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully; are valued for their distinctive skills, experiences, and perspectives; have equal access to resources and opportunities; and can contribute fully to the organization’s success.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Goals
In alignment with our diversity, equity, and inclusion values, we commit to the following diversity, equity, and inclusion goals:
● Build collections that tell the many stories and images of our evolving community.
● Provide a library experience for patrons and staff that is free from hate speech, disrespectful behavior, harassment, or discrimination.
● Initiate programs and dialogues that encourage broad and divergent perspectives.
● Advance a community committed to equity and racial justice.
● Develop the Library’s staff, volunteers, and board to reflect and magnify the rich diversity of our community.
● Review policies and change those that result in inequitable treatment of all who access the Library.
● Review the Library’s institutional language, historical narrative, collections, and imagery and change any that may result in diminished access or quality of experience.
● Join with community partners to actively identify and break down barriers to equity.
● Conduct Board, staff, and volunteer business and meetings through active engagement with our guiding values.
● Include these values and goals in Board and staff orientation, materials, and on our website to better reflect the Jesup’s mission to “nourish minds, enhance lives, and build community.”
Organization
The Jesup Memorial Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Though we serve, and have always served, as the public library for the town of Bar Harbor and the surrounding area, the Jesup is a private nonprofit organization supported largely through donations.
