Community Library Network removes ‘diversity, equity, inclusion’ language from website [Video]

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.netreads: “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 …