134  ATL A 2019 PROCEEDINGS

Building Inclusive Spaces
Vancouver Public Library’s Trans, 
Gender Variant, and Two-Spirit Inclusion 
Initiative
Alex MacCutchan, Manager, Information Services, Vancouver Public Library 
Donna Wells, Atla Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

ABSTR ACT Building inclusive spaces for all members of the commu-
nity is part of Vancouver Public Library’s long-standing commitment 
to inclusive and responsive library services. Beginning in 2016, VPL 
embarked on a project to review and update its services in order to be 
more inclusive for members of the Trans, Gender Variant, and Two-
Spirit community. This session will explore the steps VPL undertook as 
it updated its programming, public services, facilities, and staff training 
to better meet the needs of these patrons.

The Vancouver Public Library has a long and proud history of serv-
ing their community. They have always worked closely with commu-
nity groups to develop programs, displays, and activities that suit 
the needs and interests of the public. In 2015 the city of Vancouver 
(including the library) realized a need to better serve the transgender 
community. A study was undertaken to understand and undertake 
what was required for this purpose. The library initiated a strategic 
plan to stretch from 2017 to 2020 with the ultimate purpose of being 
a welcoming environment for all people. 

The overall plan included thirty-seven recommended actions 
for VPL, which were divided into five activity areas: Programs and 
services; Human resources; Public spaces, facilities, and signage; 
Communications and data; Community consultation and public 
partnerships. Some of the details of the five activity areas are: Programs: 
inclusive programs and resources; Human resources: staff training on 
inclusive language, as well as being allies to the community—that is, 
informed, aware, and active. Public spaces included trans-inclusive 



Listen and Learn  135

washrooms and safe spaces. In communications, the library staff 
was trained to be sensitive to inputting personal gender data and to 
speak with gender-neutral language. With already strong ties to the 
community, VPL was able to extend their involvement by building 
more community connections and develop open communication with 
a wider variety of groups. 

With still another year remaining in the strategic plan, VPL contin-
ues to work toward making the library a safe, welcoming, inclusive, 
and educational environment that serves its community’s needs. And 
although the initiative officially ends in 2020, the process, the train-
ing, the reassessment will be ongoing for many years. But the work 
that has been done has been much appreciated by an often-under-
served group.

A research guide has been created on the library website detail-
ing helpful books and resources, as well as some of the details of the 
initiative: https://guides.vpl.ca/trans

https://guides.vpl.ca/trans