John Pateman worked in public libraries for over 40 years in several different roles ranging from Library Assistant to Chief Librarian. He was Chief Librarian of three library systems in the UK and Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer at Thunder Bay Public Library, Canada. John has published a number of books, including Understanding Public Libraries and Reimagining the Public Library. John is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and a founding member and editorial collective member of Information for Social Change.Angela Meady was a librarian at the Thunder Bay Public Library, Canada for 37 years and has experience in a variety of fields, including work in corporate and academic libraries and archives. She received the staff-selected Award of Merit from the Thunder Bay Public Library and the Ontario Children’s Librarian of the Year award for her advocacy for children and youth.

• Foreword - Hamlin GrangeIntroductionPart 1: Background and TheoryChapter 1: Racism and Anti-racismChapter 2: Settler ColonialismChapter 3: DecolonisationPart Two: Putting Ideas into ActionChapter 4: The Needs Based LibraryChapter 5: Impact and OutcomesChapter 6: Resistance and EvaluationChapter 7: Conclusion and Ways ForwardEpilogue

Decolonising the Public Library is an inspiring, forward‑looking study of how public libraries can address settler‑colonial legacies rooted in historical materialism. Using Thunder Bay Public Library as its case, this book shows how sustained visionary leadership, needs‑based services, community collaborations, and dedicated Indigenous spaces can reshape institutions. Celebrating courage, community leadership, and collaboration, it offers a hopeful vision to advance reconciliation and structural equity. This is an essential read for administrators and EDI practitioners.

John Pateman worked in public libraries for over 40 years in several different roles ranging from Library Assistant to Chief Librarian. He was Chief Librarian of three library systems in the UK and Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer at Thunder Bay Public Library, Canada. John has published a number of books, including Understanding Public Libraries and Reimagining the Public Library. John is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and a founding member and editorial collective member of Information for Social Change.Angela Meady was a librarian at the Thunder Bay Public Library, Canada for 37 years and has experience in a variety of fields, including work in corporate and academic libraries and archives. She received the staff-selected Award of Merit from the Thunder Bay Public Library and the Ontario Children’s Librarian of the Year award for her advocacy for children and youth.

• Foreword - Hamlin GrangeIntroductionPart 1: Background and TheoryChapter 1: Racism and Anti-racismChapter 2: Settler ColonialismChapter 3: DecolonisationPart Two: Putting Ideas into ActionChapter 4: The Needs Based LibraryChapter 5: Impact and OutcomesChapter 6: Resistance and EvaluationChapter 7: Conclusion and Ways ForwardEpilogue

Decolonising the Public Library is an inspiring, forward‑looking study of how public libraries can address settler‑colonial legacies rooted in historical materialism. Using Thunder Bay Public Library as its case, this book shows how sustained visionary leadership, needs‑based services, community collaborations, and dedicated Indigenous spaces can reshape institutions. Celebrating courage, community leadership, and collaboration, it offers a hopeful vision to advance reconciliation and structural equity. This is an essential read for administrators and EDI practitioners.

John Pateman worked in public libraries for over 40 years in several different roles ranging from Library Assistant to Chief Librarian. He was Chief Librarian of three library systems in the UK and Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer at Thunder Bay Public Library, Canada. John has published a number of books, including Understanding Public Libraries and Reimagining the Public Library. John is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and a founding member and editorial collective member of Information for Social Change.Angela Meady was a librarian at the Thunder Bay Public Library, Canada for 37 years and has experience in a variety of fields, including work in corporate and academic libraries and archives. She received the staff-selected Award of Merit from the Thunder Bay Public Library and the Ontario Children’s Librarian of the Year award for her advocacy for children and youth.

• Foreword - Hamlin GrangeIntroductionPart 1: Background and TheoryChapter 1: Racism and Anti-racismChapter 2: Settler ColonialismChapter 3: DecolonisationPart Two: Putting Ideas into ActionChapter 4: The Needs Based LibraryChapter 5: Impact and OutcomesChapter 6: Resistance and EvaluationChapter 7: Conclusion and Ways ForwardEpilogue

Decolonising the Public Library is an inspiring, forward‑looking study of how public libraries can address settler‑colonial legacies rooted in historical materialism. Using Thunder Bay Public Library as its case, this book shows how sustained visionary leadership, needs‑based services, community collaborations, and dedicated Indigenous spaces can reshape institutions. Celebrating courage, community leadership, and collaboration, it offers a hopeful vision to advance reconciliation and structural equity. This is an essential read for administrators and EDI practitioners.