The Portico Library’s Equity and Representation Statement
August 2021
At The Portico Library, we believe that everyone should be treated equitably, inclusive of gender identity, disability, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, pregnancy and maternity, age, or nationality. We want to create a welcoming and inclusive Library that represents our city’s communities and is accessible to all.
Equity and representation are central to The Portico Library’s ambitious development strategy. The Portico has already made some important strides forward in this area. This includes the election of female Chair and Secretary at Board level, new recruitment and equal opportunities policies, the creation of a new Equity and Representation Action Group, establishing partnerships with diverse individuals, groups and institutions, and organising exhibitions and events which platform and promote disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, people of colour, and people who are at risk of exclusion from community life.
However, we recognise that there is still more to do. The Library was established in 1806 at the height of British empire-building and was founded on the prosperity of the industrial revolution and the colonial period. The Library and its collections therefore reflect the innovations of this time, but also its history of exploitation and inequity.
Inspired by the renewed and ongoing fight for social justice, The Portico welcomes the opportunity, and responsibility, to build and shape a library and wider cultural sector that represents and serves its communities in Manchester and beyond. And we invite you to join us in this.
What we have done: The Equity and Representation Action Group
In summer 2020, the Portico set up an action group with external and independent experts to determine how we can become a more accessible, equitable and representative cultural institution. These experts have lived experience of exclusion and wide-ranging expertise in the culture, gallery, library, archive and museum sectors, and are dedicated to re-imagining these spaces. Over the past year, this group has put forward a series of proposals which have informed the Library’s working practices and vision for the future.
What we will do next: Making our pledges
In September 2021, The Portico Library will work with communities and with diversity and inclusion experts to agree a series of actionable pledges and commitments which will enable us to embed equity and representation in the Library and to which we will be held accountable. Some of these are practical changes in how we work, while others are related to the Library’s governance and strategy. The Library’s staff and committees will take responsibility for the delivery of these actions over the coming year.
As part of our work, we will:
maintain The Portico Library as a welcoming institution that embraces diverse opinions
ensure the Library offers a safe space for all; and
ensure that our conversations are positive, collaborative, ongoing and open.
As always, we are very grateful for the support of our membership, committees, staff and the public as we endeavour to build a more representative and inclusive library.