Libraries Working Towards Social Justice
Formed in 2020, Libraries Working Towards Social Justice seeks to expand programming efforts beyond our individual communities to achieve a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive society.
Library and Town Programs and Resources
Town of Chelmsford Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) supports Chelmsford’s efforts to become a welcoming town that recognizes diversity, pursues racial equity, and fosters inclusion.
Town of Chelmsford Land Acknowledgement
On March 14, 2022, the Chelmsford Select Board signed a Land Acknowledgement Proclamation which was drafted by a subcommittee of the Town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, library staff, and Select Board member, Pat Wojtas.
Housing Resources
The Chelmsford Library has created a resource guide helping to point those experiencing homelessness in our community to assistance.
Resource Guides
Access to Justice Library Initiative
The Chelmsford Public Library is proud to partner with the Massachusetts Trial Court to offer access to virtual court services through the Access to Justice Library Initiative. For more information about the virtual services that are available through the Trial Court, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-access-to-justice.
Civics: Environment & Climate Change
This guide to resources related to helping the environment and combating climate change can help you get more informed and involved. Learn how you can influence climate change and our natural environment in a positive way.
Civics: Immigration & Citizenship
This guide to immigration and citizenship related resources can help you get more informed and involved in this important topic. Find recommended reading, local and national organizations, health resources, and English language learning.
Civics: LGBTQ+ Equality
This guide to LGBTQ+ related resources can help you get informed and involved in fighting for equality. Find out more using our recommended readings, then consider joining a local organization or meetup or volunteering.
Civics: Poverty & Food Insecurity
This guide to food banks and related resources can help you get more informed and involved in helping feed others. Use this guide to help find food, or to get involved with helping others suffering from food insecurity.
Civics: Racial Justice
This guide to racial justice related resources can help you get more informed and involved in this important topic. Find recommended reading and local and national organizations that support racial and social justice topics. Get involved today!
Civics: Voter Engagement
Learn about candidates running for office, where to go to become a poll worker, and how to contact your representatives. This guide to voting related resources will help you become a more informed and engaged voter!
Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange
The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange exists to help “find youth permanent families so that they have the support system they need to live safely and to become their best selves. We believe no child should leave the foster care system without permanent connections, support, and stability.” The website features access to adoption support resources, ways to get involved, and a continually-updated database of profiles of foster children in Massachusetts waiting to find the right home.
Massachusetts Municipal Guide
A statewide listing of municipalities by county, state and regional contact information for a variety of government departments and services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Includes addresses and contacts for elected and appointed officials from the local level to the U.S. Congress.
Social Justice Book Group
SoJust: The Social Justice Book Group addresses civic engagement and reads an array of titles about identity, equality, justice, the environment, and much more. Our current vision is to read books that get us thinking and talking about how we as a community can move towards a more socially just future.
In addition to book discussions, the group hosts virtual monthly speaker programs and presentations themed around the selected book titles. This informal book group meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month for lively conversation and includes a mix of fiction and non-fiction titles. The next meeting is Tuesday, March 15, when we’ll be reading Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic, by Michael McCreary.
The SoJust Book Group has read…
REACT Grant
In 2018 & 2019, the Chelmsford Library embarked on a year-long project to promote civic participation and education with our REACT Grant: Read, Engage, And Come Together.
During the grant the library explored six key issues that impact our community and society as a whole through engaging programming, in depth moderated discussions, films, readings, and quality resources.
The Civic Engagement REACT Program was brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Other Libraries
Besides us in Chelmsford, other libraries participating in the “Libraries Working Towards Social Justice” effort include Andover/Memorial Hall Library, Burlington, Groton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell/Pollard Memorial Library, Methuen/Nevins Memorial Library, Newton, North Andover/Stevens Memorial Library, North Reading/Flint Memorial Library, Tewksbury, Westford/Fletcher Memorial Library, and Wilmington.