“Librarianship As A Cultural Profession”

© 2005 – 2011. Vanessa Irvin Morris. All rights reserved.Contact: vanirvinmorris@gmail.com

Librarianship as a Cultural Profession by Vanessa Irvin Morris is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Based on a work at www.slideshare.net.

Defining Multiculturalism

According to the Journal of Counseling & Development, the terms race, culture and ethnicity tend to be used interchangeably. This is highly problematic because they are all very different concepts.

Race - this term has been used to group people by physical appearance; to imply a commondescent or heredity. In 1942, Ashley Montagu wrote: “Race is the witchcraft of our time … is a contemporary myth … man’s most dangerous myth.”

Culture - represents the behaviors and beliefs that characterize a certain group. Culture canmanifest physically in terms of buildings, tools, etc. Subjective culture involves a group’s Social structure, systems and organizations … beliefs, values and norms (paradigms).

Ethnicity - is embedded within culture. Characteristics that make up smaller groups within alarger cultural group or society. Examples: The many tribes of the American Indian family; different ethnicities of the Mexican/Latino cultural family; even different ethnicities withinThe European cultural family. Ethnicity is played out in terms of how we speak, eat, work, and celebrate life stages.

Other terms I’d like to incorporate into our discussion:

Class - term used to define groups of people of similar economic and/or social empowerment and accessibility.

Disabled/Handicapped/Challenged - terms used to denote persons who are physically, mentally or emotionally suffering from a loss of 100% normal function of any part of the human body and/or experience.

Underserved - a newer term that can include persons who are disenfranchised via class, societal positioning (e.g. prisoners), gender, sexual orientation, disability, and/or AGE. Misunderstanding of the underserved occurs when those challenges manifest themselves in a lack of basic survival needs as in a home, vehicle, education, relationships, etc.

Defining Multiculturalism

WHAT IS AMERICA’S NATIONAL IDENTITY?

Defining Multiculturalism

A diverse identity; a cultural identity

A multicultural identity rooted in democratic principles

It is a cornucopia of peoples and cultures

Those democratic principles are most commonly displayed in terms of intellectual freedom, thought and expression

Intellectual freedom, thought and expression are afforded onan equal basis where?

AT YOUR SCHOOL’S LIBRARY; AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY

Defining Multiculturalism Source: Gae Broadwater, 2001.

Gae Broadwater (2001) talks about the differences between the standards ofmainstream American cultural norms and various sub-cultural norms.

Mainstream America: who is this? How do we know “mainstream” AmericanCultural values when we see them?

Basically, mainstream values are those “across the board” criteria and standardsthat create an overall national identity.

Broadwater illustrates how mainstream American norms are often at odds with common ethnic and/or even community-based norms. (see next slide)

Defining Multiculturalism Source: Gae Broadwater, 2001.

Aspects of Culture Dominant American Sub Cultures

Sense of Selfand Space

Communicationand Language

Dress andAppearance

Food andEating Habits

Time andTime Consciousness

Relationships,Family, Friends

Values andNorms

- Informal -Handshake

- Formal -Hugs, bows, handshakes

Explicit, DirectEmphasis on content;

Meaning Found in Words

Implicit, IndirectEmphasis on Context;

Meaning Found Around Words“Dress for Success”

Wide range ofaccepted dress

Dress seen as a sign ofposition, wealth, prestige,

religious rules

Eating as necessity“Fast Food”

Dining as a socialexperience; religious rules

Linear and Exact TimeValue on Promptness“Time Equals Money”

Elastic and Relative TimeTime spent on enjoyment

of relationships

Focus on nuclear familyResponsibility for self

Value on youth; age a handicap

Focus on extended familyLoyal, responsible to family; Age given status and respect

Individual OrientationIndependence

Prefer direct conflict resolution

Group OrientationConformity

Preference for harmony

Aspects of Culture Dominant American Sub Cultures

Beliefsand Attitudes

Mental Processesand Learning Styles

Work Habitsand Practices

EgalitarianChallenging of Authority

Individuals control their destinyGender Equity

HierarchicalRespect for authority and

social orderIndividuals accept their destiny

Distinct Gender Roles

Linear, Logical, SequentialProblem-Solving Focus

Lateral, wholistic, simultaneousAccepting of life’s difficulties

Emphasis on the taskReward based

on individual achievementWork has intrinsic value

Emphasis on relationshipsRewards based on seniority,

relationshipsWork is a necessity of life

Defining Multiculturalism Source: Gae Broadwater, 2001.

Defining Multiculturalism

ALL institutions engage in a culture, and within that institutional culture, community subcultures are expressed.

Academic LibrariesDominant Culture Subcultures = University = Faculty, Students

= Student Activities/OrganizationsSpecial LibrariesDominant Culture Subcultures= Corporations, = Management, Employees,Museums, Courts, = Groups within employee pop.Hospitals, etc.

School LibrariesDominant Culture Subcultures = Institution = Faculty, Students,= School District = Student Activity Groups= Municipality

Public LibrariesDominant Culture Subcultures = Municipality = Library Staff, Neighborhoods, = Library Admin. Groups within neighborhood community

“Members of community-based audiences often do not belong to

the dominant groups represented in an institution.”

- Broadwater, 2001.

Librarianship As A Cultural Profession

Because of differences reflected in cultural backgrounds, educational levels, economic status and positional-professional affiliation, misunderstandings can occur based on erroneous assumptions. This is often done unintentionally.

Community or Association Institution

Accepts that things can and will go wrong

Orderly perfection to things;institutions are designed to create order

Only the best, the strongestwill survive and dominate

Inclusive rather than exclusive;there is room for people w/diff. abilities

Contributions can be controlledand predicted

Consensual contribution is a primary value

Nonhierarchical; Responds Quickly Hierarchical; Bureaucratic processespromotes slow response

Recognizes individual characteristics Has great difficulty recognizing individuals and values

Cares for people; but has difficultyproducing goods and services

Can provide good and services buthas difficulty caring for people

A place to express citizenshipMany rights of citizenship are forgone

for employmentTable adapted from Broadwater, 2001.

Defining Multiculturalism

It is important to realize that each and every person has a philosophical orientation that is rooted in a cultural base. We are all multicultural.

Culture is NECESSARY because it provides a way for people to define themselves, respond to, and influence people, events and their environment. Culture is a cornerstoneof motivation for all people.

Thus, as librarians, to carry the banner for multiculturalism we must:

1) Know Thyself. You must know who you are multi-culturally (again, none of us are monolithic. You must know what works for you in terms of respect, communication and trust. You must also know what does not work for you.

2) Be a Lifelong Learner. Learn more about communication patterns, social roles, taboos and norms, holidays and special occasions of various cultural families. Read genres beyondyour normal reading diet; read what you patrons read so that you understand their interests.

3) Accept What You Know and What You Don’t Know. You can’t know everyone and everything. TRUST your heart, and your sense of sincerity and integrity. “There are no substitutes for sincerity and integrity.” (Broadwater, 2001.)

Defining Multiculturalism

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 18, 1948, by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

American Library Association’s Library Bill of RightsThe American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information

and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

Multiculturalism Defined

Therefore, let us propose a definition for Multiculturalism for Librarians and Educators.

With these points in mind:

Librarians and educators are keepers and promoters of the American culture.

As such, librarians and educators are endowed to:• Promote library materials • Provide curricular support• Ensure high quality reference services and programs

All within the context of materials and services that are applicable, supportive and edifying to all cultures within the diverse American society.

“Multiculturalism in library service is the process

of engaging librarians, staff and

patron communities in materials that reflect their

own personal cultural acceptances,

as well the promotion and acknowledgement,

acceptance and appreciation of all

cultures in a global society that illustrate the

historical and progressive diversity of humanity.”

- Vanessa Irvin Morris

Multiculturalism Defined

Therefore, I propose the following definition for multiculturalism in Librarianship:

Librarianship As A Cultural Profession

All together, we make up the American culture, the American national identity.One group (i.e. cultural, gender-based, socio-economic, etc.) cannot do without the other; we are all connected; thus all responsible to one another.

What kind of librarian are you?

- book librarian?- people librarian?- activist librarian?

We preserve the cultural information of our society.

We support and protect all citizens’ right to freedom of information and equity of access.

We promote self-education, and lifelong learning via our clarity of providing materials that answers the information wants and needs of all members of society.

Librarianship As A Cultural Profession

LIBRARIANS ARE THE CULTURE KEEPERS OF AMERICA. AS SUCH, WE CANNOT BE PASSIVE, AFRAID OR UNSURE OF WHO WE ARE,

OR WHAT OUR PURPOSE IS. WE MUST APPROACH OUR PROFESSION WITH

CLARITY OF INTENT, ACTIVISM, INTEGRITYAND AN OPEN HEART.

NOTHING LESS IS ACCEPTABLE.

As culture keepers, it is our duty to ensure that diverse materials, programming and services are accessible to all people. These materials can be inside the library or in the community. Either way, librarians are responsible for connecting the community with its cultural information. In order to live out this mission, we must be culturally competent in interacting with diverse groups of people.

2 Types of Cultural Competence (adapted from Broadwater, 2001):

Individuals become culturally competent in the following ways:1) They are comfortable with their own cultural heritage and are able to engage self-assessment in order to maximize their own sense of multiculturalism.2) They develop an awareness and acceptance of differences along with their own cultural knowledge.3) They understand the dynamics of difference.4) They have a willingness and ability to adapt their practice to the cultural context of the community.

Organizations become culturally competent when the organization and its personnel have the capacity to: 1) value diversity, 2) conduct self-assessment, 3) manage the dynamics of difference, 4) acquire and institutionalize cultural knowledge, and 5) adapt to the diversity and cultural contexts if individuals and communities served.

Librarianship As A Cultural Profession

Librarianship As A Cultural Profession

The key to servicing diverse communities in a library setting is: ENGAGEMENT

According to the Oxford American College Dictionary the act of “engaging” means to:1) occupy, attract, or involve someone’s interest or attention,2) to cause someone to become involved in a conversation or discussion,3) arrange to employ or hire someone,4) establish a meaningful contact or connection (as in communities).

How do we as librarians and educators, engage our patrons and communities?1) Readers Advisory / Reference Interview / Customer Service2) Collection Development and Management3) Library Programming4) Community Outreach: person-to-person, promotional materials, social media

Another process in which communities develop via engagement is by interacting in a two-way exchange that supports the community.

Libraries do this via COMMUNICATION and COLLABORATION.1) We build partnerships and coalitions.2) We mobilize resources.3) We coordinate activities.

Librarianship As A Cultural Profession

Wholistic approaches to institutions and communities interacting successfully would includecommunicating on the basis of mutual respect, inclusivity, patience and trust.

This communication can only productively occur when there isknowledge, acknowledgement and appreciation of self and of others.

For the front-line librarian that means KNOWING YOUR COMMUNITY.

Societal CommunitiesUrbanSuburbanRuralReligious

Cultural CommunitiesLatino/MexicanAfrican/Caribbean/African-AmericanEuropean AmericanImmigrants and RefugeesAsian AmericanAmerican and Asian IndianMelungeon/Appalachian

UnderservedGLBTQ HomelessPhysically ChallengedMentally ChallengedEmotionally ChallengedAgeismGender

9 times out of 10, there will be a cross-cultural overlap in your library’s community.

“Out of Many, One People” - Jamaica’s National Slogan

AS LIBRARIANS, THERE ARE SOME TRUTHS WE MUST ACCEPT:

1. ALL PEOPLE ARE DIVINE, IMPORTANT, AND NEEDED ON THIS EARTH.

2. WE ALL CARRY GIFTS AND TALENTS THAT WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLD.

3. EVERYONE IS VALUABLE.

SERVICING OUR CULTURAL FAMILIES

Our profession’s adage: “Never judge a book by its cover,”

applies to people, too.

Broadwater, Gae. Engaging New Audiences in Community Development. Paper presented at the 2001 South Region Community Development Institute, New Braunfels, Texas.

Cameron, Susan Chavez, and Susan Macias Wycoff. “The Destructive Nature of the Term Race: Growing Beyond A False Paradigm.” Journal of Counseling & Development 76, 3 (Summer 1998): 277 - 286.

Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development. The National Center for Cultural Competence [website]. Available at: http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/nccc/; accessed 15 June 2009.

McGill Equity Subcommittee On Queer People. [webpage] Available at: / http://www.mcgill.ca/queerequity/; accessed 29 September 2010.

Trace Research and Development Center. “A Brief Introduction to Disabilities.” [webpage] WI: College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Available at: http://trace.wisc.edu/docs/population/populat.htm; accessed 23 June 2009.

Weaver, Hilary N. Explorations in Cultural Competence: Journeys to the Four Directions. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2005.

Selected Bibliography