The following ways of working together were established by the Committee in October 2024, and updated October 23, 2026.
Confidentiality is our default.
- What happens in this space stays in this space and is not shared, unless we all agree it can be shared.
- Members should seek permission before sharing personal stories outside the group.
- When sharing, we anonymize details but recognize that the library world is small, and anonymizing is not enough without agreement to share.
- We flag when we are not open to what we are saying being shared.
We assume positive intention when others speak.
- We give each other space to finish speaking and don’t expect polished perfect speech.
- We don’t reject views that may differ from ours but allow different views to enhance and increase our own perspective on the topic.
- We practice attentive, active listening.
- We ask questions with a willingness to learn.
- We call each other in rather than calling each other out.
- We approach one another with curiosity while recognizing that good intentions do not erase harm. When harm occurs, we listen, take responsibility, and work toward repair.
We are conscious of our privilege, positionality, and intersectionality, and ensure that we leave space for others who may have lived experience of oppression. See wheel of power.
- We use language that helps when our view differs – such as: “Another way I think about this is …” rather than to say, for example, “I disagree …”
- There is no need to reject one opinion to make room for yours. Think about the difference between “I hear you, but …” and “I hear you, and …”
- Neither our disagreement nor our agreement is required for another person’s contribution to be valuable or valued.
- We acknowledge that we all have different experiences, educations, and value systems that are valid.
- We challenge ideas, not people.
- We acknowledge discomfort and emotions are often a part of difficult work.
- We don’t have to bring our whole self – you can share what you wish, and we believe and trust each other in what we choose to share.
- We do not require anyone to disclose identity, trauma, or personal experiences to validate a point.
- We support different communication styles and access needs.
We have a process for dealing with conflict or harm if someone is not comfortable bringing it up in the meeting.
- Go to one of the committee co-chairs, if the issue is with the co-chairs, then go to the BCLA Executive Director.
- When an issue is brought forward, the co-chairs will approach dealing with it in alignment with the community agreements, particularly the section “We assume positive intention when others speak.”
- If anyone on the committee feels an issue has gone beyond our ability to resolve it as a group, the BCLA Executive Director can bring in a consultant and/or person with expertise, to support us to resolve and move forward.
We make decisions by consensus.
- Everyone needs a chance to be heard.
- Everyone needs to be able to live with any decision made. We poll the group so people can express their level of agreement and we can explore and discuss areas of discomfort and disagreement. Levels of agreement will be defined at the meeting relative to the issue.
- We do our best to get to consensus. If we cannot reach consensus, we will try to find ways to be transparent about areas of disagreement or areas of tension related to important decisions when communicating out to the BCLA Board and broader library community.
The role of the co-chairs is to ensure all committee members have the opportunity to express opinions and be heard, supporting an accountable environment that promotes sharing and listening, and ensuring that community agreements are upheld.
We’ll remember that we are important as individuals and doing our best, and the work is important but is not ours alone.
We acknowledge this work takes time, and we will not rush just for the sake of completing tasks. We set realistic timelines, share responsibilities, and follow through on commitments while respecting each member’s capacity.
We are willing to revisit these agreements and respond to emerging needs of the Committee. We revisit these agreements at the beginning of each term, ensuring all members, including those joining mid-term, have reviewed them.