A message from our director
At the Folger we value people first and foremost. We are located in the nation’s capital, home to people from all backgrounds with histories shared as well as unique. Our world class collection of rare books and manuscripts is teeming with such history, and the works of William Shakespeare are the core. Shakespeare held a mirror up to nature through his drama, where we find characters of all descriptions. Our performances, exhibitions, research, and educational programs reflect this great variety of human stories. Our mission is to welcome and engage local, national and international audiences with our collection and our programs and to celebrate the agency, dignity, and humanity of all who come to our building. — Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper
Land acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the Folger sits on the ancestral lands of Indigenous tribes including the Piscataway and the Nacotchtank people (also known as the Anacostans). The Folger is committed to understanding, acknowledging and engaging the history of the land on which we sit. Through this work, we seek to build and sustain trust and continuing relationships with tribal communities, to provide appropriate access to and promote research on materials that document Indigenous histories, and to support and amplify the work of Indigenous researchers and creators.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at the Folger
We value the health, safety, respect and well-being of our staff, volunteers, visitors, partners, and communities. We are committed to a diverse workforce, one that envelops the many identities, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of all its members. The Folger aims to create a culture of dignity and belonging.
Our Mission and Values commit us to:
- Ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility are priorities for our organization
- Strengthening and building a wider variety of relationships with DC organizations and institutions
- Connecting with local, national, and international communities with bold, thoughtful programming
- Engaging with learners of all ages, stages, and abilities
- Creating more welcoming experiences
- Empowering all visitors with the knowledge that our collections, programming, and building are both here for them and accessible to them.
- Consistently endeavoring to expand access to our collection
In consideration of the culture the Folger strives to foster, the following definitions are used.
- Diversity: The wide range of identities, perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of every individual.
- Equity: Ensuring that the pathways of access and opportunity that each person needs to thrive are present and available.
- Inclusion: An environment of belonging and dignity, maintained through a culture of respecting and welcoming people of all backgrounds.
- Accessibility: The deployment of a variety of neurodiverse, physical, and linguistic approaches to enable every individual to fully participate in programming and experience spaces.