This guidance provides direction to staff who are involved in determining and developing holiday displays, programming and services.

In November 2023, Central HR sent out the following guidance to County staff related to holiday expression

From: Travis Brown, Multnomah County Chief Human Resources Officer
Subject: Guidance on Religious Exercise and Expression in the Workplace, Including Holiday
Decorations
Date: November 2023

The holiday season is fast approaching, and it is a good time to remind employees about the county’s policy regarding religious expression and decorations in the workplace. Multnomah County is a diverse community and our workforce reflects this diversity. The county’s policy allows for religious expression by employees unless the religious expression:

(1) creates an appearance of the county endorsing a particular religion, (2) intrudes upon the legitimate rights of other employees, (3) imposes an undue hardship on the county, or (4) has a negative effect on workplace efficiency.

Below are some guidelines employees should follow when exercising their religious expression including the celebration of holidays. Questions regarding the county’s policy should be directed to Human Resources or supervisor staff.

• No Discrimination. The county does not discriminate against employees on the basis of religion, require religious participation or non-participation as a condition of employment, or permit religious harassment. Managers and supervisors must treat all employees with the same respect and consideration, regardless of their religion or lack thereof.
• Expression in Areas Accessible to the Public. Religious displays or symbols that create an appearance of county endorsement of a religion cannot be displayed or expressed. Exhibits that highlight all known diverse religious celebrations, that don’t seem to promote a religion or religions, may be displayed. Every effort should be made to avoid decorations that would be more likely to be viewed as religious in nature, rather than those reflecting secular traditions. Secular symbols, such as lights, trees, snowmen/women, or reindeer are allowed.
• Expression in Private Work Areas. Employees may display religious art and literature in their personal work areas open to the public, so long as the public would reasonably understand the religious expression is that of an employee acting in her/his personal capacity. This is to the same extent that they may engage in non-religious private expressions, subject to reasonable content and viewpoint. This religious expression is permitted as long as it doesn’t interfere with the department’s ability to carry out its official responsibilities.
• Professionalism, Personal Displays and Decorations. Employees are asked to remain focused on maintaining an environment of professionalism and respect for others throughout the year. Decorations and displays, whether in private work areas or public areas, must be tasteful and appropriate to office décor. Any decorations or displays that are viewed as offensive by reasonable standards may be required to be removed.
• Safety Considerations. Employees should avoid creating any safety hazards by decorating office space, including the blocking of exits and corridors. Employees should contact Risk Management and/or Facilities with any questions in advance of utilizing the decorations.
• Expression among Fellow Employees. Religious expressions done in areas shared by employees should be reasonable and should not interfere with the work of other employees or cause disruptions.

What this means for library staff

Because the library is a public space striving to celebrate and uplift diverse communities and cultures, it's important to have a wide representation of cultural experiences and celebrations. While “traditional” dominant holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving and Christmas) have been centered in this country, we must acknowledge that there are many holidays celebrated across cultures and countries throughout the year. Holidays that do not fall into the U.S. norms have been, and continue to be, left out -- othering people and communities.  

It's also important to acknowledge that many cultures also celebrate those U.S. Federal holidays. We do not want to “shrink” the box that we work within, rather expand and shift that box and consider where and how celebrations are placed.

Equity is providing opportunities to more fully represent people, communities, and celebrations for those who have been systemically left out or under-represented.

As you consider holiday displays, services and programs, consider the following points:

Displays and programming

1. Ask who may be benefiting and who may be burdened by this display/program.
2. Begin with, center, and include nondominant (U.S. focused) holidays first.
3. Consult with language and cultural KSA teams regarding cultural appropriateness of holidays, books, displays and programming. Language and cultural KSA staff each have varying levels of expertise of holiday celebrations in their communities. If there aren't KSA staff who can provide guidance on a language or culture you want to highlight, consider researching and reaching out to community organizations or partners for guidance.
4. Look for and ensure inclusion of books and information that include relevant information for programming and displays.

Storytimes

Choose books that are inclusive in their depiction of diverse cultures of U.S. federal holidays.

Communications and marketing for holiday-specific programs and displays

In promoting programming at the service delivery point; ex. storytimes: ensure that there is clear and accurate information about what will be included - which holiday, how it will be represented; perspective from which the program; storytime will be held.

Resources for reference

• Moving beyond the tourist approach of cultural competency and away from exoticism and otherness is important when centering cultural heritage, traditions and experiences. This approach centers tokenism and can perpetuate stereotypes. Indigenous KSA staff Melanie Fey created a toolkit ahead of 2020’s Everybody Reads selection, There There by Tommy Orange, that provided some tips and tools for creating culturally sensitive and relevant displays.