Library statement against anti-Asian violence

Over the past year, we have witnessed increasing violence against our Asian and Asian American friends, neighbors, and loved ones. We recognize these acts of racial violence as part of a long history of harms inflicted upon Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) people. 

We unequivocally condemn hate crimes committed against AAPI communities, and we are in solidarity with those affected.

To read more about the extent of discrimination and harm that the AAPI communities have been experiencing, we invite you to read this recent report from the Asian American Pacific Islander Council.

We are determined that our AAPI friends and neighbors feel safe in our community and supported by their library.

As a public service organization, we offer support, resources, and encouragement for those who are affected, those who want to actively participate as allies, and those who wish to engage more deeply on issues of race and equity.

For our AAPI friends and neighbors who are affected

• Stop AAPI Hate a multiagency collaboration to track and respond to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States
• 2021 COVID-19 Anti-Racist Resources from Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, including links to legal assistance, hate crime tracking, and anti-xenophobia articles and resources

Learn more about the Asian American experience

• Celebrating Asian and Asian American Voices (Overdrive/Libby) (cloudLibrary) e-books and audiobooks recommended by Vernon Area librarians
• Asian American interest booklist from Lee & Low, a family-run, minority-owned independent book publisher

Dig deeper into the topics of equity, diversity, inclusion, antiracism and allyship

• Anti-racist e-books and audiobooks (Overdrive/Libby) (cloudLibrary) (printable lists for adults, teens, and children) recommended by Vernon Area librarians
• Project READY free, online professional development modules for anyone interested in improving their knowledge about race and racism, racial equity, and culturally sustaining pedagogy
• Hollaback interactive harassment prevention and bystander intervention training for allies 
• For grades K-12 created for the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association & American Library Association webinar “Confronting Xenophobia and Supporting Asian and Asian/Pacific American Communities during COVID-19”

— Vernon Area Public Library ​