Members of the Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL) board of trustees all agree that an internal climate study ought to take place. However, the board isn’t unanimous on how to conduct the study.
“Everyone is in agreement that a look at the culture in the library is needed,” said Hope Tribble, chair of the Diversity, Policy and Human Resources Committee. “We’re looking to be very intentional … and make sure we’re doing it in the best way possible to address the issues.”
Dr. Khaula Murtadha and Dr. Patricia Payne argue community members and members of an equity council should be the ones gathering information because, as Murtadha said during the July board meeting, it would allow the study to capture “the complexity, the good, the bad and the ugly.” Under her initial proposal, Murtadha would oversee the study.
Tribble said bringing in an independent third-party to oversee the study would make library staff feel more comfortable about participating.
“There is a heightened awareness and sensitivity around this, and we want to make sure that all the employees feel comfortable and have a sense of access to this,” Tribble said. “We would be well-served by looking at a third-party to do this, because their independence has the ability to create that space where everyone feels safe.”
At the most recent board meeting, Murtadha and Payne said several outside studies since 2018 did not lead to any changes in the library, which is why they want community involvement.
Board President Jose Salinas said library attorney Robert Scott needs to determine whether Murtadha’s involvement with the study is a conflict of interest.
Scott could not be reached for comment.
Salinas said several library staff members said they would feel uncomfortable if a board member was involved in the study. Further, he said Murtadha didn’t show up to a Diversity, Policy and Human Resources Committee meeting she was invited to in order to discuss the climate process. Murtadha, who is not a member of the committee, confirmed that she didn’t attend, but did not elaborate further.
Michael Torres, president of the Library Workers Union, said he hasn’t heard any concerns from staff about Murtadha’s involvement.
While Salinas acknowledges many library staff members don’t want Nytes — who came under fire in May for alleged racism — to be involved in the study, some workers are concerned the board won’t prohibit her involvement.
“If [Nytes] serves in any kind of capacity in the climate study, it will come out in a way that’s beneficial to the administration and not the workers,” Stephen Lane, special collections librarian and member of the Library Workers Union, said. “She needs to let go of that power, and I know that’s hard for her and scary for her, but we need to make sure that we are collecting the right data and making things better for the library workers.”
Nytes previously assumed she would have a role in the study, now she’s following the board’s lead.
“I am eager to move forward with a climate improvement process that can identify concerns, their root causes, and a path toward solutions that improve The Library for all employees,” Nytes said in a statement. “The Library board of trustees is tasked with our organization’s governance, and the next step is in their hands. They are currently in discussions to determine what the process looks like and how I — and any other staff — should be involved.”
While an internal climate process has been discussed for several months, a recent announcement that the Central Indianapolis Community Foundation (CICF) will withhold funding from IndyPL added a sense of urgency. On Aug. 10, the organization said it will withhold money from a $28 million fund until a “measurable change toward a more equitable internal environment is evident.”
Some library personnel are concerned other organizations may follow CICF and withhold funds.
In an internal email obtained by the Recorder, IndyPL’s Chief Public Services Officer John Helling told staff CICF’s decision would not impact 2021. However, programs scheduled for 2022, including the Summer Reading Program and several world language programs, would likely be affected.
Salinas said the board hopes to have the climate process completed by the end of the year.
Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.
