Gather & Grow 2024

The Southern Tier Library System holds professional conferences and meetings to enable its members and colleagues to receive continuing education, build professional networks, and discover new products and services for professional use. To provide all participants – members and other attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff and volunteers – the opportunity to benefit from the event, we are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, religion or other group identity. 

As an organization, STLS is strongly committed to diversity, equity and the free expression of ideas. These values have been outlined in the STLS Declaration Promoting Racial and Social Justice. 

Within the professional practices of librarianship, critical examination of beliefs and viewpoints does not, by itself, constitute hostile conduct or harassment. Similarly, use of sexual imagery or language in the context of a professional discussion might not constitute hostile conduct or harassment. 

STLS seeks to provide a learning environment in which diverse participants may learn, network and enjoy the company of colleagues in an environment of mutual human respect. We recognize a shared responsibility to create and hold that environment for the benefit of all. Some behaviors are, therefore, specifically prohibited: 

1. Harassment or intimidation based on race, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, appearance, or other group status. 
2. Sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact. 
3. Yelling at or threatening speakers (verbally or physically). 
    

Speakers are asked to frame discussions as openly and inclusively as possible and to be aware of how language or images may be perceived by others.  

All participants are expected to observe these rules and behaviors in all conference venues, including online venues, and conference social events. Participants asked to stop hostile or harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Participants seek to learn, network and have fun. Please do so responsibly and with respect for the right of others to do likewise. 

The Southern Tier Library System headquarters reside on the traditional homelands of the Onöndowa’ga (Seneca) people, one of the 6 nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Iroquois Confederacy) – one of the longest-lived democracies in the world. The five counties which STLS serve are located primarily on the homelands of the Seneca and the Susquehannock peoples. The offices of STLS are located adjacent to a former Seneca village once located in what is now known as Cooper’s Plains. This Seneca village was destroyed and the land was seized by the federal government during the Clinton-Sullivan Campaign of genocide, destruction, and land theft in 1779. 

People from these and other Native nations reside in our communities today and have made and continue to make innumerable contributions to our region. 

We invite you to consider the history of your land. This map may help you identify the indigenous people whose land you occupy, and the languages they speak. 

Knowing our past is a starting point. We must be mindful that colonialism and oppression continue to create trauma for indigenous people to this day. We can center, stand with, and support indigenous organizations, nations, and grassroots change movements through our time, energy, or financial contributions. Our libraries can include books and other materials authored by indigenous people. We can ensure our library collections and programs provide the perspective of indigenous peoples. Resources including those provided by the American Indian Library Association (AILA) can help us learn how to do this.  

On May 14th, 2019, the American Library Association announced that sustainability would be added as a core value of librarianship, and libraries were highlighted for the important and unique role they play in promoting community awareness about resilience, climate change, and a sustainable future.  

At STLS, we recognize the need for change and the opportunity that libraries have to be leaders by setting an example for sustainable practices in our communities. We joined the Sustainable Libraries Initiative in 2023 and will spend the next few years working to complete the Sustainable Library Certification Program. This program provides a path forward to nurture libraries and communities that are more environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically feasible. We are excited to begin this important work and look forward to sharing our progress. 

As we look to the future, we find motivation in the American Library Association’s Sustainability in Libraries Call to Action, “Facing the realities of climate change and acting with purpose is the responsibility of all library stakeholders, in our personal lives and at work. From the inside out, our libraries should reflect a commitment to sustainability as a core value.” Together we can make a difference.