op 8 - 802xo - celebrating cultural diversity in libraries

8/6/2019 OP 8 - 802XO - Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Libraries

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John Hooper

Emporia State University

LI802XO


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Multiculturalism in Libraries

Concentrate on Three Main Areas:

IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto Intercultural Leadership Toolkit for

Libraries

Multiculturalism in Washington County

and Multnomah County Libraries


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Cultural Diversity / Multiculturalism

Refers to the harmonious co-existence and

interaction of different cultures

Is the foundation of our collective strength

in our local communities and in our global

society

Should be cherished and preserved

Source: IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto, 2009, p. 1.


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Cultural Diversity / Multiculturalism

International migration rate is growingevery year in an increasing number ofpeople with complex identities

Example of growing diversity - Latinos:y Mid-1960s: U.S. population of 200 million:

Latinos accounted for 4% of population

y 2006: U.S. population of 300 million:Latinos accounted for 36%

Source: Intercultural Leadership Toolkit for Librarians: Building Awareness to Effectively Serve Diverse MulticulturalPopulations, Summer, 2007., p. 5.


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Some Factors ofCultural Diversity

Factors of increased cultural diversity:

Globalization Increased Migration

Faster Communication

Ease of Transportation

Source: IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto, 2009, p. 1.


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Libraries and Culture

Libraries play a strong role in cherishing andpreserving culture

Therefore:

Libraries of all types should reflect, support and promotecultural and linguistic diversity at the international, national andlocal levels

Libraries serve diverse interests and communities, they function

as learning cultural and informational centers

In addressing cultural and linguistic diversity, library servicesare driven by their commitment to information and knowledgefor all in the respect of cultural identity and values


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International Federation ofLibrary Associations

and Institutions (IFLA)

Global voice of the library and information profession

Leading international body representing the interests oflibrary and information services and their users

http://www.ifla.org


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IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto

Focus on Five Areas:

1. Principles

2. Missions of Multicultural Library Services3. Management and Operation

4. Core Actions

5. Staff


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Principles

In addressing cultural diversity, librariesshould:

Serve all members of the community without

discrimination Provide information in appropriate languages

Provide access to a wide-range of materials

Employ staff to reflect the diversity of the

community


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Missions ofMulticultural Library Services

In a culturally diverse society, focus should beon the following key missions:

y Promoting awareness of the positive value of

cultural diversity

y Encourage linguistic diversity and respect native

languages

y Support inclusion and participation of people

and/or groups form all diverse culturalbackgrounds


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Missions ofMulticultural Library

Services (cont.)

y Encourage information literacy in the digital age

and communication technologies

y Provide support to expression, creation anddissemination in all relevant languages

y Promote linguistic diversity and universal access

of cyberspace

y Support exchange of knowledge and bestpractices in regard to cultural pluralism


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Management and Operation

All types of libraries should adopt an integratedservice approach

y The cultural services are central not separate oradditional and should be designed to met local orspecific needs

y Library should have a policy or strategic plan:defining its mission, objectives, priorities andservices related to cultural diversity

y Library activities should not be developed inisolation. Cooperation with relevant user groups andprofessionals at local, national or international levelshould be encouraged


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Core Actions

The Multicultural Library should:

Develop culturally diverse and multilingual

collections, services, (digital, multimedia)

Allocate resources for preservation of

cultural expression and heritage

Include programs supporting usereducation, information literary skills,

cultural heritage, cross-cultural dialogue


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Core Actions (cont.)

Provide access to library resources in

appropriate languages through information

organization and access systems

Develop marketing and outreach materials

in various languages to attract different

groups to the library


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Staff

Library staff is an active intermediary between usersand resources. They should continue

education/training on:

y Services and multicultural, cross-cultural communication

y Sensitivity,

y Anti-discrimination

Staff at a multicultural library should:

y Reflect the cultural and linguistic characteristic of the

community

y Provide awareness

y Reflect the community

y Encourage communication

Source Slides 7-15: IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto, 2009.


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Intercultural Leadership Toolkit for

Libraries

Five tools developed by creating afoundation of the multi-dimensionalconcepts ofculture:

Tool 1: Indentify Cultural Dimension

Tool 2: Identify Cultural Communication Style

Tool 3: Recognize Who and What Might be

Marginalized

Tool 4: Recognize Mechanisms for Organizing andSupplying Information

Tool 5: Recognize Who Build the Information

Technology


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Tool 1: Identify Cultural Dimension

Determine if cultural has: Individualistic Perspective: High value on

individual and their achievements

Collective Perspective: High value on peopleidentifying with, or belonging to groups larger

than the family unit

Librarians may recognize how individualist-collectivistic conflicts faced by people are

represented in their information-seeking

behaviors and provide assistance


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Tool 3: Recognize Who and What

Might be Marginalized

Information structure reflects the beliefs andvalues of a culture: Segments of apopulation within a diverse society may be

marginalized or overlooked

Librarians can contribute by maintaining openchannels of communication:

y Developing collections that cater to the needs oftheir marginalized patrons

y Lectures, Outreach Programs, MulticulturalEvents


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Tool 4: Recognize Mechanisms for

Organizing & SupplyingInformation

Dominant cultural groups tend toovershadow the information structures

Many marginalized cultures are notadequately represented in the classificationscheme (e.g. Soviet Union)

Librarians should take an active role toincorporate marginalized cultures into theirsystem


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Tool 5: Recognize Who Build the

Information Technology

Constructed by individuals living in a culture,

information technologies often reflect the

creators viewpoint.

Librarians should learn about how different

social groups use technologies

Source Slides 16-21: Intercultural Leadership Toolkit for Librarians: Building Awareness to Effectively Serve DiverseMulticultural Populations, Summer, 2007.,


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Studies ofLibraries in Washington /

Multnomah County

Washington County

y Hillsboro Public Library

y Cedar Mill Library

y Beaverton Library

Multnomah County

yMultnomah County Library (Central Branch)

y St. Johns Library

y Gregory Heights Library


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Interview Topics

Interviewed one staff member from each library

Main Interview Topics:

Library Multicultural Events

Library Classes or Outreach

Multicultural Holdings


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Specific Questions Topics

The role libraries have in expanding knowledgeof various cultures and ethnicities

How their library branch caters to the cultural

diversity of the community

Promotion of multicultural events

Archive of past events

Success of multicultural events

Ethic group to be more presented in your library

Future of cultural diversity in libraries


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HillsboroPublic Library

http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/library/


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Multicultural Events

Musical Multicultural Presentations (e.g. IndianMusic, Spanish Events) (100 + in attendance)

Spanish Storytime

Book Discussion Groups

Intercambio (language exchange)

Storytimes in different languages


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Publicity ofMulticultural Events

Full-Time PR Person On-Sight (Archive of PastEvents)

Posters, Flyers

Electronic: Library Websites, On-Line Event

Calendar


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Staff& Multicultural Materials

Staff & Volunteers Would like to recruit more bi-lingual volunteers

to assist with events

Undeveloped multicultural staff

Multicultural Circulation Materials

Various languages

Videos

Fiction and Non-Fiction DVDs

Source, Slides 26-29: David Pauli (personal communication, November, 2009)


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Cedar Mill Library

http://www.cedarmill.plinkit.org/


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WinterReading Arts Festival:

y Combines Literature and reading with programs

of local multicultural artists and performers

y Goal is to enhance cultural learning experiences

and build awareness of communityy Grant by Washington County Arts, Heritage &

Humanities Coalition

Film Movement (monthly):

y Independent movies from around the world with astrong concentration on foreign films

Childrens Services Language Storytime


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Posters, Flyers

Newsletter to Cedar Mill Community

Library Association Website

On-Line Newsletter

Press Release to Local Newspaper


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Staff

Understaffed to reach out for multicultural

programming

WinterReading & Arts Festival (lack of

staff)

Multicultural Circulation Materials Mostly Spanish

Asian Languages

Source, Slides 31-34: R. Lynne Erlandson (personal communication, November, 2009)


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Beaverton City Library

http://www.beavertonlibrary.org/


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East Indian Dance & Music Hearing Voices Storytelling Event (county-

wide)

Ten Tiny Dances: Ethnic Dances (Beaverton

Arts Commission Grant)

Native American Panel (OHS)

Oregon Reads

Intercambio

Spanish Storytime


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Flyers, Posters

Performers Built-In Audience


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Staff

Some Staff Bilingual: Russian & Chinese


Excellent Collection: Own Room Devoted to

Multicultural Materials

Books

DVDs & Videos Newspapers & Magazines

Source, Slides 36-39: Linda Fallon (personal communication, November, 2009)


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Multnomah County Library

http://www.multcolib.org/


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Events centered around 4 Target Languages:

y Spanish

y Chinese

y Vietnamese

y Russian

El da de los nios (Childrens Day)

y Literacy-Based

y All-Day Event

Lunar New Year (Chinese) Slavic New Year

Tapestry of Tales Storytelling Festival


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Bi-Lingual Staff Members

Flyers, Posters

Event Finder On-Line Calendar

Newsletters

Promotion at Events


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Staff/V

olunteers Bi-Lingual in 4 Target Languages

y Placed by cultural demographics

y Building-up staff to accommodate

cultures (Census data)


Concentration on Target Languages

Mostly Spanish materials

Source, Slides 44-46: Brett Lear (personal communication, November, 2009)


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St. Johns Library



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St. Johns Library


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Many, Well-Publicized Multicultural Events

(some reach 1,000-1,200 in attendance)

Lunar New Year

Intercambio


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Nuestros Cuentros


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Promotion ofMulticultural Events

Posters, Flyers

Newsletter sent to Cedar Mill Community

Library Association

Website

On-Line Newsletter

Press Release to Local Newspaper


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Flyers & Posters


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Staff/Volunteers

Bilingual Librarians in Spanish


Mainly Literature

Childrens Literature

Source, Slides 49-55: NancyArvesen (personal communication, November, 2009)


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Gregory Heights



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Small Amount of Events

Children-Related Multicultural Events

Lunar New Year Festival (Spanish

Speaking)

Vietnamese Events

Harvest Moon Festival


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El da de los nios (Childrens Day) (2008)


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Flyers & Posters

Website

Signage


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Staff/Volunteers

Bilingual in Spanish


y Spanish

y Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese)

y Vietnamese

y Russian


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We allshouldknow thatdiversitymakes

fora rich tapestry,andwe must

understandthatall the threads of thetapestryare equalinvalue no matter

what theircolor. ~ Maya Angelou


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References

Allard, S., Mehra, B., Qayyum, A., (Summer 2007) Intercultural

Leadership Toolkit for Librarians: Building Awareness to

Effectively Serve Diverse Multicultural Populations.

Education Libraries (30)1. Retrieved from http://units.sla.org

/division/ded/educationlibraries/30-1.pdf#page=4

The IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto. No. 2.21.2009.34.

Retrieved from http://librarian.lishost.org/?p=2185

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