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Knowledge Promotes Understanding
As a trusted community partner, The Library’s primary aim is to help those seeking knowledge and understanding, while serving the needs of all members of the community.
In that spirit, and with your help, we’re continually developing this list of resources for everyone who wants to explore issues of social justice, systemic racism, and social equity. We hope to create a pipeline for dialogue and increased awareness that will allow us to move forward as a united society.
How can we do better? Let us know at dcls.org/strategicplan.
This is no time for The Library to be quiet.
A letter to our community
The Dauphin County Library System stands with our community, other public libraries and the American Library Association against racism and injustice. Anywhere. Everywhere.
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and unjust actions against African Americans over time across our nation are appalling and unacceptable. We support peaceful protest, robust dialogue, and meaningful action. Read more...
Suggested Reading
> > Knowledge Promotes Understanding Reading Lists
> > Looking for a more complete list of titles in our collection?
> > Help us by suggesting other titles to add to our collection on this topic.
> > Want more recommendations? Ask Library staff or visit diversebookfinder.org.
Thoughts from our staff
>>Raising an Antiracist - Hannah, Youth Services Administrator
>>Talking to Your Kids about Race - Elizabeth, Youth Services Specialist at The Library
Local Community Resources
Action Agenda: Central Pennsylvania's Progressive Hub
Link to other websites dealing with Feminism, Social Justice, Immigration, LGBTQ issues, Other Causes and more
Central PA LGBT Center
Specific page has links to national and local resources related to housing, needs of youth, arts, medical/health, transgender needs etc.
Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC
List of Harrisburg Area Organizations who are leading Diversity, Multiculturalism and Inclusion efforts in the region along with web addresses for those organizations
PANO--Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations
Links to Racial Justice Resources geared for Non-Profits, including Articles, Reports, Podcasts, TED Talks and YouTube Videos, Book titles, other Websites, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources
World Culture Club of Central Pennsylvania
Links to local and national groups
Tracing the Lines of Racism: The Development of Housing Segregation in Harrisburg (1900-1968)
This exhibit examines the process of redlining in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the use of racially restrictive housing covenants, and the lasting influence segregated housing had on the surrounding communities.
Pennsylvania Resources
Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition: Advocating for Immigrants, Migrants and Refugees
Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus
Pennsylvania Office of Administration Equal Employment Opportunity
National Resources
ACUI: Advancing Campus Community
Social Justice links related to advocacy, anti-racism, white privilege and more
American Library Association
Libraries Respond: Black Lives Matter
Bridging Refugee Youth & Children's Services
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Social Justice in Action: 100 Key Websites & Organizations
Teaching for Change: Building Social Justice Starting in the Classroom
US Department of Labor--Diversity and Inclusion Information for Businesses
> > Need help with your research? Ask a Librarian.
In the News
Gov. Wolf Signs Executive Order to Create Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Citizen Advisory Commission
Pennsylvania Government Website, July 17, 2020
Gov. Wolf Signs First Two Law Enforcement Reform Bills
Pennsylvania Government Website, July 14, 2020
New Dauphin County program provides mental health co-responders to help police divert individuals away from prison and into treatment
Dauphin County Website, June 30, 2020
District Attorneys from Dauphin, Lancaster, Franklin and York counties call for police hiring reform
FOX43, June 17, 2020
An appeal for unity, for action at Black Lives Matter rally in Harrisburg
TheBurg, June 7, 2020
Wolf, Shapiro announce first steps of police reform after days of unrest
Pennsylvania Capital-Star, June 4, 2020
Student fights shouldn’t be ‘dealt with in the criminal justice system': Dauphin County DA
PENNLIVE/Patriot-News, October, 2019