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Developing Multiculturalism in Academic Libraries
ASDAL 18th Annual Conference
Columbia Union College
June 24, 1998
Cynthia Mae Helms
Why Talk About Multiculturalism?
- Bring out the human factor of libraries
- Cope with the changing population
- Recognize librarianship as an international profession
- Apply successful concepts from the business world
- Affirm Christianity
What Is Culture?
- Total way of life
- Learned behavior
- Dynamic, constantly changing
- Integrated behavior
- Logical within its own values
What Are The Basics Of Understanding Other Cultures?
- Sense of Self and Space
- Time and Time Consciousness
- Communication and Language
- Relationships and Associations
- Mental Processes and Learning Styles
- Work Habits and Practices
- Beliefs and Attitudes
- Values and Norms
- Dress and Appearance
- Food and Eating Habits
What Can ASDAL Do?
- Continue helping overseas libraries meet their needs
- Implement an “Adopt an overseas library” program
- Consider overseas librarians’ needs in annual conferences
- Involve more international librarians in the association
- Hold regular meetings outside the U.S.
- Sponsor visiting librarian programs
- Develop an exchange librarians program
- Introduce a mentoring program
What Can Libraries Do?
- Recruit and retain a diverse workforce
- Hire and maintain a culturally sensitive staff
- Develop a strong staff development program with ongoing sensitivity program
- Offer services and programs that recognize different cultures
- Form a “Cultural Awareness Committee”
- Connect with different parts of the campus and the community that deal with cultural and diversity issues
- Collect multicultural and multilingual materials
What Can We Do As Librarians?
- Develop a tolerance of other cultures
- Become adept at cultural appraisal and empathy
- Increase global awareness by volunteering to serve in other countries and by reading widely about issues that affect the world
- Go on educational tours to gain better understanding of others
- Avoid stereotypes and generalizations
- Appreciate wide range of cognitive style differences
- Make multicultural students feel comfortable on campus and within the library
- Retain appreciation of gender and racial points of view
- Show that perfect English is not necessarily expected
- Encourage understanding of overall importance of cultural diversity in an academic setting
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Burhans, Skip. “Serving the International Needs of the International and Minority Students at the Small College Library: A Librarian’s View.” April 1991, EDRS, ERIC, ED 335 714 (microfiche).
Ford, Barbara. “Go Global! Ten Ways to Play Your Role on the World Stage.” College and Research Libraries News, Vol. 59, No. 2, Feb. 1998, pp. 78-79.
Gardenswartz, Lee and Anita Rowe. Managing Diversity: A Complete Desk Reference and Planning Guide. Burr Ridge, IL: Business One Irwin, 1993.
Jacobson, Frances. “Bibliographic Instruction and International Student.” Illinois Libraries, Vol. 70, Dec. 1988, pp. 628-633.
Kflu, Tesfa and Mary A. Loomba. “Academic Libraries and the Culturally Diverse Student Population.” College and Research Libraries News, Vol. 51, No. 6, June 1990, pp. 524-527.
Liu, Ziming. “Difficulties and Characteristics of Students from Developing Countries in Using American Libraries.” College and Research Libraries, Vol. 54, No. 1, Jan. 1993, pp. 25-31.
Macdonald, Gina and Elizabeth Sarkodie-Mensah. “ESL Students and American Libraries.” College and Research Libraries, Vol. 49, No. 5, Sept. 1988, pp. 425-431.
Natowitz, Allan. “International Students in U.S. Academic Libraries: Recent Concerns and Trends.” Research Strategies, Vol. 13, No. 1, Winter 1995, pp. 4-16.
Oosterwal, Gottfried. Community in Diversity; a Workbook. Berrien Springs, MI: Center for Intercultural Relations, Chan Shun Hall, Andrews University, 1995.
Shaver, Marilyn. Cultural Diversity Programming in ARL Libraries. Spec Kit No. 65. Wash. D.C.: Systems and Proceedures Exchange Center, Association of Research Libraries, 1990.
Wilkinson, David. “Can Academic Librarians Enhance the Cultural Diversity of the Nation’s Colleges and Universities?” 1992, EDRS, ERIC, ED 354 895 (microfiche).
Winston, Mark. “The Role of Recruitment in Achieving Goals Related to Diversity.” College and Research Libraries, Vol. 59, No. 3, May 1998, pp. 240-247.
Wolfgang, Aaron. Everybody’s Guide to People Watching. Yarmouth, Maine: Intercultural Press, Inc., 1995.
Copyright © 1998, Cynthia Helms