The Smathers Libraries seek to promote intercultural understanding and acceptance among library users and library employees by educating, empowering, and creating self-awareness in the context of a global society. We will leverage the expertise, programs, collections, and services of the Libraries to foster an environment of inclusion and equality with fairness, appreciation for individual differences, and respect for all. These are foundational values that permeate all aspects of our organization. We will recognize, understand, embrace, and value the ways we differ and rely upon those differences in our users and employees to be more effective and impactful as an organization. Creating a respectful and caring community for all requires cultural awareness, literacy, and engagement.