EDI Policy Statement

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement: Community Library Association (CLA) is committed to a future that embraces diversity, equity, and racial understanding that lives through our vision statement of life-long learning. CLA hopes to be an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community resource that strives to meet the needs of all of our service area and county regardless of: language, cultural background, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity , health, disability, family status, national origin, citizenship/legal status, religion and socioeconomic status.

EDI Statement for Collection Development

CLA recognizes the importance of selecting materials that act as windows and mirrors for our patrons. Materials created by OWNvoices writers (those belonging to the group the material is about) will be selected when available. This includes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent, and disabled creators.

Please click here to see our Collection Development Policy.  If you would like a more in-depth version of our Collection Development Policy please click here.

CLA Land Acknowledgement

We live on the land of the Seneca Nation, who later welcomed refugees of the Lenapi and Shawnee tribes to share their land. We honor these original inhabitants, including Seneca Chief Guyasuta and Seneca Clan Mother Aliquippa, and acknowledge the history of colonialism that led to our presence here. Our libraries are dedicated to being stewards of this land and the Allegheny River flowing through it. By sharing historical information and caring for the land and people of our community, we ensure that all are welcome and respected.