WEBINAR

Building Inclusive Organizations

Transforming library culture to prioritize inclusivity and psychological safety requires intentional leadership and strategic action. In this webinar, learn from experienced library leaders who have successfully fostered more inclusive and equitable environments. Gain valuable insights and practical tools to navigate resistance to change, build psychologically safe workplaces, and ensure that both staff and patrons feel emotionally and physically secure.

This 1.5 hour webinar is part of our 2025 Creating a Culture of Belonging Webinar Series.

Moderator: Michelle Hamiel

Chief of Programs, Urban Libraries Council

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Michelle strengthens the urban library role in local ecosystems and advances partnerships and programs resulting in systemic change. She is known and respected throughout public libraries for her leadership to diversify the profession, to serve marginalized communities and to increase racial and social equity. Prior to joining ULC, Michelle served as Prince George's County Memorial Library System's chief operating officer and led the mission, vision, innovation and operations of the library's 19 branches and the county detention center.

Tonya Aikens

President and CEO, Howard County Library System

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Tonya Aikens is passionate about uncovering unheard voices in the community and leveraging community assets to build stronger communities through public libraries. As President & CEO, she leads the Howard County Library System with a focus on community-led librarianship rooted in Asset Based Community Development with an Equity Focus (ABCDEF). Placing the Equity Focus on the ABCD model, and her cutting-edge approach to Brave Voices Brave Choices, an initiative where library staff and community come together in racial equity training, story gathering and sharing, sensemaking, collaboration across background and difference, and then take action to advance equity, has placed her in high demand as a consultant and speaker on matters of equity and community building. She has served on numerous non-profit boards and is passionate about the ability of libraries to transform lives and communities.

Tamara King

Chief Equity and Engagement Officer, Richland Library

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Tamara King is the Chief Equity and Engagement Officer for Richland Library. In her role, she is tasked with the development and support of the library’s equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, programs and partnerships. In addition to her role, Tamara also supports the library’s award-winning Let’s Talk Race Team. To date, the team has held discussions surrounding race, women’s rights and social justice for more than 4,000 participants.

Tamara also has two decades of experience in broadcast television, public relations, strategic communications and media and crisis communication training. Tamara currently serves as a Director-at-Large on the national Public Library Association Board. She is a 2024 Riley Fellow of the Diversity Leadership Initiative at Furman University. Tamara was also selected by the Post and Courier Newspaper in 2023 as one of the top 12 Black Leaders to Know in South Carolina. Additionally, she is a nationally and locally recognized award-winning public relations professional and was recognized as a 2019 Library Journal Mover and Shaker for her role in Richland Library’s race, equity and social awareness work.

Michael Lambert

City Librarian, San Francisco Public Library

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Michael Lambert is the City Librarian for the City and County of San Francisco. He was appointed to the position in March 2019 by Mayor London Breed. During his tenure, the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) was named the 2018 National Library of the Year by Library Journal. Michael Lambert has championed increased and equitable access to libraries through expanded hours and a fine-free library system. Prior to his employment with the City and County of San Francisco, Lambert managed library operations at San Mateo County Libraries in northern California and at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in North Carolina. He began his career in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina at the Richland Library. He is a proud alumnus of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and earned his Master of Library and Information Science Degree from South Carolina’s College of Library & Information Science. Lambert currently serves as President of the Public Library Association (PLA), the nation’s largest professional membership association supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. He also serves on the Children and Families First Commission and the City’s Committee on Information Technology (COIT). He is the first Asian American to lead the San Francisco Public Library.