HAYDEN, Idaho — Trustees of the Community Library Network unanimously voted to remove the words "diversity, equity and inclusion" from the network's website Thursday during a meeting at the Hayden Library.
“I believe that this is incongruent with the CLN’s personnel manual," Vice Chair Tom Hanley said, reading from a prepared statement.
"In my opinion, 'diversity, equity and inclusion' is a form of affirmative action and as such it is discriminatory in nature and therefore DEI should have no place within the Community Library Network,” he read.
The language under "Work with Us" on communitylibrary.net reads: "We provide a welcoming and empowering environment for learning and discovery. As a public library system, we remain attentive to the need to advance our digital presence. We create an inclusive culture that honors diversity, equity and inclusion celebrating differences and unique learning styles."
Hanley referred to the equal employment opportunity section of the personnel manual, where the language differs.
"Hiring and decisions affecting employment, including classification, transfer, discipline and discharge, will be made without regard to the race, religion, gender, age, national origin or non-job-related disability," the manual states. "No job, or class of jobs, will be closed to any individual except where a mental or physical attribute, gender, or age is a bona fide occupational qualification. Objections to application of District policy will be brought to the attention of the Director or in the case of objection to actions undertaken by the Director, to the Board of Trustees."
The website will now read, "We create an inclusive culture celebrating differences and unique learning styles."
To read more from our content partner, the Coeur d'Alene Press, click this link.
