Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Bringing ideas, imagination, creativity and knowledge to enrich lives and build thriving communities

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Libraries Unlimited wants to challenge itself, from within its staff and communities, to consciously and persistently challenge how things have always been done and aim to ensure that we can be proud and confident when we say we are “open to all”.   When we talk about diversity and inclusion we want that to be across all protected characteristics.  We want to be working towards improved equality for all.

Libraries Unlimited’s Board of Trustees has stated “We commit to taking positive action and building a culture that champions equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation. As an organisation, we are continually learning and benefitting from external expertise. We are working to make equality, diversity and inclusion a central part of Libraries Unlimited, embedded in our cultures and behaviours”.

As part of our work to improve we will share on this page some of our progress, as well as our legal obligations in relation to reporting.  If you would like to provide feedback on anything contained on this page – or to make suggestions about how we can improve further – please contact us via email.

Staff Diversity data 

We are publishing a quarterly overview of our staff diversity data. This is collected confidentially and is self-identified by individuals.

Diversity date of employees – October 2022 – HTML version
Diversity data of employees – October 2022 – PDF version

Diversity data of employees – March 2022 – HTML version
Diversity data of employees – March 2022 – PDF version

Diversity data of employees – Oct 2021 – HTML version
Diversity data of employees – Oct 2021 – PDF version

Diversity data of employees – June 2021 – HTML version
Diversity data of employees – June 2021 – PDF

Diversity data of employees – April 2021 – HTML version
Diversity data of employees – April 2021 – PDF version

Evolve, our National Portfolio Organisation work

Evolve, Libraries Unlimited’s Arts Council England funded programme of work, is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion across all of its activity. This focus has seen us recently awarded a ’Strong’ rating for their Creative Case for Diversity work from Arts Council England (the second highest rating possible).  Our diverse programming has seen film festivals with content from organisations such as Oska Bright and Peccadillo Shorts, inclusive playable installations, created in collaboration with WESC Foundation, Centre for Visual Impairment, CEDA Exeter and No Limits, and newly commissioned artworks and residencies, championing and supporting marginalised voices.
Now, as we move into 2022, our ongoing commitment sees aspirations to ensure 33% of our programme is culturally diverse (“relevant to the lives of diverse 21st century audiences” – ACE); newly commissioned work is developed in partnership with marginalised groups and those who identify as Disabled and or/ D/deaf, and a commitment to ensure the accessibility of all future events. For more information on upcoming projects visit https://librariesevolve.org.uk/

 

Gender Pay Gap Reporting

As an organisation with more than 250 employees, we are legally required to comply with the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) Regulations 2017 and publish Gender Pay Gap (GPG) reporting information on an annual basis.

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2018 – HTML version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2018 – PDF version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2020 – HTML version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2020 – PDF version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2021 – HTML version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2021 – PDF version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2022 – HTML version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2022 – PDF version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2023 – HTML version

Gender Pay Gap Report for Libraries Unlimited April 2023 – PDF version

Key equality impact assessments PDF download

Equality Impact Assessment for COVID-19 secure working practices – HTML version

Equality Impact Assessment for COVID-19 secure working practices – PDF version

 

How Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is part of our draft Five Year Strategy, 2022-2027

As an organisation, we are currently working towards releasing a new Five Year Strategy in Spring 2022. We have come a long way since becoming a new charity in 2016, but staying still is not an option, never more so than today. Our strategy seeks to lay the foundations for us to continue to adapt and grow over the next five years.

Our ambition is to be a progressive, inspiring and inclusive charity, focused on delivering our mission to enrich lives and build thriving communities.

We want to be an equality, diversity and inclusion leader in the community, and develop and embed practice established through our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan. For example, at the moment we are working on how to make all our meetings and recruitment practices accessible for all.

We have lots more we want to share when we release our strategy in Spring 2022.

Libraries Unlimited believes…

…in the unlimited potential of library services to make a positive difference to people’s lives and communities through a shared love of reading and access to high quality information and facilities.