Diversity in collection development should not be considered special or outreach programs but a fundamental and integral part of the regular library program. Which means that budgeting and funding for these collections should be part of the library’s continuing budget.
When a library has scarce resources for multicultural and diverse acquisitions then it should be able to turn to other libraries who can share their materials as a result of the growth of networks and automated systems. However, this has the potential to result in a dependence upon resource sharing rather than building a library’s permanent collection and it could also keep libraries in the limited perspective that no library is likely to be self-sufficient. (Deloach 1983)
A large portion of the multicultural materials available in the United States is published by small or alternative presses and may be undocumented in traditional bibliographic tools or perhaps not included at all in the standard ways librarians research this topic. Therefore, publishers’ catalogs are the major tools used to purchase multicultural and diverse materials. Continuous contact with these distributions gets the library placed on their permanent mailing lists. However, with the aide of technology and the internet, librarians can find a multitude of resources for selecting and disseminating quality works that just a few years ago were nonexistent. For example, The Multicultural Review (mcreview.com) is regarded as one of the top journals in its field. This organization describes themselves as, “the only publication of our type that is solely dedicated to reviews of a better understanding of diversity. We focus on differences in ethnicity, race, spirituality, religion, disability, and language.”
According to Joseph Bruchac, Abenaki storyteller, publisher, and children's book author, the first step in determining a quality addition to a well balanced multicultural and diverse collection is to check the book’s authenticity. He writes, “Sometimes books are written by people who imagine a world they've never lived. As a result, we get books full of factual errors, stereotyping, and pictures that are not helpful to anyone.”
So how can you discern a book’s cultural authenticity? Bruchac says, “Look at the sources cited and the acknowledgements made by the author. It's important to get a clear and detailed citation - if that's missing, be suspicious. If you come across a story that is described generically as "an African story," for example, instead of being tied to a specific tribe or region, you should question its authenticity. Unfortunately, even today, we see books with pictures of other cultures that are the equivalent of Italians wearing kilts and speaking with German accents.”
Do’s and Don’ts of Building Ethnic Collections
1. Look for materials that show that an individual belongs, not just to one group, but to many groups; age, sex and economic, social, geographical, cultural, and ethnic factors are all at work. This is part of a continuous multiethnic process.
2. Avoid materials that build or reinforce stereotypes, and look for those that give an understanding of both the general unifying threads of ethnic groups and the dynamic diversity of group cultures and experiences
3. Don’t build ethnic collections as a sop to protesting groups; include these materials because they are intellectually valid, socially necessary, and permanently relevant. The ALA Library Bill of Rights speaks clearly on this matter. You should be anticipating needs of both users and nonusers, who may be more attracted to the library if they believe material relevant to them can be found there.
4. Try to make your collections include all groups, as far as this is feasible and within the general policy of our library. There should be clear guidelines on ethnic collecting written into your collections policy statement.
5. Don’t feel that the gathering of ethnic materials is someone else’s responsibility. All librarians have a responsibility to develop an ethnically literate future citizenry
Building and strengthening a library’s collection of multicultural and diversity materials begins with making a few assessments. (Diaz, J. 1994)
· Support from management
· Assess the demographic makeup of the campus or community
· Review current collection development policies and evaluate current holdings
· Decide how to fund the purchase of these materials
· Assess curricular needs
· Development guidelines for evaluating materials
· Look for sources that list major authors and works
In addition,talk with other librarians to figure out specific areas they view as needing the most attention. Solicit input from faculty teaching courses in multicultural studies, and contact campus or community organizations that represent potential target groups.
And finally, it’s not enough to purchase and house extensive collections if few people know they exist. So the library’s multicultural and diverse collection needs promotion. A strong exhibits program makes a powerful visual statement about the content and scope of the library’s collection and also attracts new readers by promoting information of interest and relevance to a range of ethnic and racial backgrounds.
Questions to consider:
1. Is it realistic to expect all libraries to be self-sufficient when it comes to multicultural and diverse collections?
2. Why is the evaluation of nonprint materials just as critical for collection development as printed sources?
3. Why should ethnic associations give vigorous support to libraries?
Works cited:
Deloach, M. & Josey, E. Ethnic Collections in Libraries. Neal-Schuman Publishers. 1983
Bruchac, J. How to Build a Multicultural Library. Retrieved April 10th, 2008, from http://www.nea.org/readacross/multi/buildlibrary.html
Diaz, J. Collection Development in Multicultural Studies. Neal-Schuman Publishers. 1994
Multicultural and Diversity Resources:
Lee and Low Books
http://www.leeandlow.com/home/index.html
Multicultural Review
http://www.mcreview.com/
Multicultural Web Sites, Diversity & Ethnic Studies http://www.public.iastate.edu/~savega/multicul.htm
Central Michigan University Libraries’ Diversity Resources Project http://www.lib.cmich.edu/departments/reference/diversity/youngadult.htm
1. Look for materials that show that an individual belongs, not just to one group, but to many groups; age, sex and economic, social, geographical, cultural, and ethnic factors are all at work. This is part of a continuous multiethnic process.
2. Avoid materials that build or reinforce stereotypes, and look for those that give an understanding of both the general unifying threads of ethnic groups and the dynamic diversity of group cultures and experiences
3. Don’t build ethnic collections as a sop to protesting groups; include these materials because they are intellectually valid, socially necessary, and permanently relevant. The ALA Library Bill of Rights speaks clearly on this matter. You should be anticipating needs of both users and nonusers, who may be more attracted to the library if they believe material relevant to them can be found there.
4. Try to make your collections include all groups, as far as this is feasible and within the general policy of our library. There should be clear guidelines on ethnic collecting written into your collections policy statement.
5. Don’t feel that the gathering of ethnic materials is someone else’s responsibility. All librarians have a responsibility to develop an ethnically literate future citizenry
Building and strengthening a library’s collection of multicultural and diversity materials begins with making a few assessments. (Diaz, J. 1994)
· Support from management
· Assess the demographic makeup of the campus or community
· Review current collection development policies and evaluate current holdings
· Decide how to fund the purchase of these materials
· Assess curricular needs
· Development guidelines for evaluating materials
· Look for sources that list major authors and works
In addition,talk with other librarians to figure out specific areas they view as needing the most attention. Solicit input from faculty teaching courses in multicultural studies, and contact campus or community organizations that represent potential target groups.
And finally, it’s not enough to purchase and house extensive collections if few people know they exist. So the library’s multicultural and diverse collection needs promotion. A strong exhibits program makes a powerful visual statement about the content and scope of the library’s collection and also attracts new readers by promoting information of interest and relevance to a range of ethnic and racial backgrounds.
Questions to consider:
1. Is it realistic to expect all libraries to be self-sufficient when it comes to multicultural and diverse collections?
2. Why is the evaluation of nonprint materials just as critical for collection development as printed sources?
3. Why should ethnic associations give vigorous support to libraries?
Works cited:
Deloach, M. & Josey, E. Ethnic Collections in Libraries. Neal-Schuman Publishers. 1983
Bruchac, J. How to Build a Multicultural Library. Retrieved April 10th, 2008, from http://www.nea.org/readacross/multi/buildlibrary.html
Diaz, J. Collection Development in Multicultural Studies. Neal-Schuman Publishers. 1994
Multicultural and Diversity Resources:
Lee and Low Books
http://www.leeandlow.com/home/index.html
Multicultural Review
http://www.mcreview.com/
Multicultural Web Sites, Diversity & Ethnic Studies http://www.public.iastate.edu/~savega/multicul.htm
Central Michigan University Libraries’ Diversity Resources Project http://www.lib.cmich.edu/departments/reference/diversity/youngadult.htm
20 comments:
It seems logical that a diversity allowance should automatically be part of a library budget and that librarians should be employed who know and understand their community. And this can be a diverse group in itself. Librarians sensitive to the community needs and aware of the resources to meet those needs, are the ones who will best serve that library's collection development. Again, quality materials, including nonprint, are at the root of a good collection, and they should address many subjects. Anyone should be able to go into any library and and have their basic research needs met whether or not that research deals with diversity issues or not.- what is on the peripheral edges can emphasize more exclusively that particular community's makeup. Finding the balance is tough but something to strive for because as professionals, our job will be to serve everyone fairly and to the best of our ability. Its part of our Code of Ethics.
I don't necessarily think that it is unrealistic to expect a library to be self sufficient in terms of their multicultural and diverse collections, but if help is needed from the outside, I don't see there being fault in that either. I think what is important, more so, is that a library is striving to make the multicultural and ethnic collection more accessible and extensive by reaching out! If they don't reach out and remain self sufficient this could be detrimental-especially if their materials budget for such a collection is small.
Though all libraries should definitely set aside a portion of their budget for multicultural resources, some just don't have huge budgets to begin with. They are already at a disadvantage as a whole because they have to limit the ENTIRE collection development. As a result, the multicultural resources will suffer. So why not reach out and rely on others in this instance?
Bethany,
I agree that libraries should reach out to other libraries for materials if needed. Academic libraries will have a different evaluation for selection based on their clientele which would be mostly students and faculty. Academic libraries will be more likely to purchase curricular and research materials which serve the needs of the academic community. And so the public library will choose their collections from a different set of guideines which will serve the general interest of their community. But a patron walking into their local public library may need access to textbooks or theses projects from the academic book collection which is not housed at the public library. So sharing collections is the only way to go in this case. Ultimately, it's the needs of the community which govern the selection of materials for acquisition.
I agree that libraries need to reach out to other libraries and build their multicultural collections. Even if a library has quite a few works falling under this category, it can't hurt to provide access to more. And as you guys pointed out, budget constraints and needs of the community also come into play.
Because we have these limitations, I also think we need to make sure to choose quality multicultural materials. I liked the criteria given. I took a class on multicultural children's literature in undergrad, and we discussed a lot of these same issues. One that I don't think was mentioned was including books written by people who are a member of the group they are writing about. This "insider" perspective can be really valuable.
I agree with what everyone has said so far. Any of you that work within the SLC probably already know, for example, about the foreign language books that the co-op bought for all member libraries. A couple years back they purchased several dozen books for each library in a number of languages, Spanish, Arabic, etc. These books range from novels to nonfiction, and while they don't necessarily circulate a lot, they do go out with some frequency. These are things that I know my library never would have purchased due to our shrinking book budget, but I think they are a great addition to have.
In response to Question #1, it would be ideal for libraries to be self-sufficient, when it comes to collection development of multicultural and diverse collections. However, I do not believe that this is a realistic expectation. I think library collections are a reflection of its community. Unless, there is a librarian or administration that is open to multiculturalism or diversity, the collection will be limited. Even in large cities, if the other ethnic groups or cultures are not requesting that the library add a diverse collection of material, the collection will probably represent the likes and dislikes of the administration.
In response to Question #2, the collection of non-print materials is as important to print, because they may contain oral histories and pictorial histories of an ethnic group or culture that may not be available in print.
In response to Question #3, ethnic associations should give vigorous support to libraries to increase awareness of their particular group. Initially, they could donate books to add to the collections and set-up exhibits and displays.
Anissa,
Ethnic associations donating books for library display or exhibits is a great idea. I had not thought of that.It wouldn't cost the library anything and it increases cultural awareness.
Everybody wins if ethnic associations donate materials to libraries. The associations can spread whatever information is applicable to them, and the library gets to circulate the items without having to worry about going over the budget. I think that, more often than not, ethnic associations would be more than happy to help out speakers of their language, members of their community, etc, by donating materials to the library.
I agree with the points given so far, it does not hurt to reach out to others for resources that benefit the community. Circulating materials within a library network is the realistic way to go if there is no budget to have a collection. One has to think realistically, not every library is going to be the same, the budgets are different, and the buildings that house the materials are different. Some libraries may be able to afford to their own collection, but many that cannot, have to do what is necessary to have somewhat of a collection, even if it comes down to sharing with other libraries. At work, we have a DVD collection that is rotated through the network, so there is a new selection of movies every so often for patrons to choose from. It would be nice for every library to have its own collection, but the major factor is that the budgets do not allow for such a collection most of the time. By reaching out to others for the materials is a gesture that the library is willing to accommodate everyone.
I think it is important for libraries to share and borrow materials to other libraries through networks, and books on multiculturalism and diversity should not be excluded from this policy. With these networks set up between libraries it does not mean that libraries do not have to add multicultural and diverse books to their collections. I also think that no matter what type of community a library is within, that they should include books that are diverse in many different ways and books that discuss different cultures whether they are within the community or not. I think rule # 3 is very important, “You should be anticipating needs of both users and nonusers.” You never know what patrons might be interested in learning about different cultures? Therefore you should not just limit it to the cultures within your community.
I agree with everyone that sharing resources is always a good idea, so long as a good system is in place. I also liked the point made in the main blog that, if you’re serious about multiculturalism, it’s not enough to purchase and house an extensive collection. If people don’t know that the collection exists, it's not doing anything to promote diversity.
I agree that exhibits are a good way to draw new patrons to a library—and a fun way! But developing outreach programs targeting minority groups that are underrepresented in the library’s clientele is also a good way to promote diversity, as well as the library’s services and collection.
In the academic arena, some libraries have blended multicultural collection development with outreach by offering library research support programs for topics such as ethnic studies, gender studies, African-American studies, and Chicano or Latino studies (Walter, 2005).
Another successful approach is the Peer Information Counseling program (“PIC”), which originated at the University of Michigan. In PIC, students of color are trained to assist other students with using information services offered by the library—because the counselors are students, they are less intimidating to other students in need of help, and because they are themselves members of minority groups, other minority students are more willing to initiate reference type help sessions(Walter, 2005).
This program is also a good stopgap method for libraries that lack diversity, and it could encourage more minorities into librarianship, assuming PIC counselors enjoy the experience.
I also found an interesting article, titled Our Multicultural Neighborhood, summarizes one library’s experiences building a multicultural collection. It’s by a Debra Wordinger, and can be located at http://www.lib.niu.edu/1999/il9902109.html. It addresses, in part, libraries collaborating with ethnic associations for collection development and programming.
And I saw a lot of good sites related to multicultural collection development for children, such as:
• Multicultural Literacy Web Site, at http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/multilit.htm.
• Beyond Good Intentions: Selecting Multicultural Literature, at http://www.4children.org/news/9-97mlit.htm.
• 10 Quick Ways to Analyze Children's Books for Racism and Sexism, at http://www.birchlane.davis.ca.us/library/10quick.htm.
Cited Source:
Walter, S. (2005). Moving beyond collections: Academic library outreach to multicultural student centers. Reference Services Review, 33(4). Retrieved on April 15, 2008, from http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:ihjJ7IO41ZMJ:https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/410/3/Walter_RSR.pdf+collection+development+multiculturalism&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=275&gl=us&client=firefox-a.
Jen,
I think the topic of collection development when it comes to diversity a very important one and for many reasons. I particularly liked the list of Do's and Don't that you provided. Finding authentic, non-steriotyping materials is a great goal and not just so people of that particular group will have materials they can identify with. These materials are also going to be looked at non-members of these groups and for those individuals who may never had come in actual contact with that particular ethnicity, they are going to base a great deal of their future perceptions on that group by what they read in books and other media.
I think in this case that non-print materials are particularly important. In my undergrad I took a class on the Psychology of Chinese Langauge and thought and at one point we discussed represenations of asian character in movies and televison shows. One study systematically looked at shows found that not only were asian-americans under represented, but they are also consistanty given roles that show them either as professions such as doctors, crime lords, or as fighters (ie. Jackie Chan). Meaning, that asian-americans fail to be shown as mothers and fathers or in other roles that depict the full range of human existance. Making an attempt to look for better places to gain materials on different groups is at least a chance that we can provide a better representation for different ethnic groups.
I agree with others that it is important to make known the diverse collection that a library has. And it's also important, as I commented in an earlier blog, that the library not label books as being books only of, say, Latino interest or African-American interest. You might as well be telling your majority patrons that you don't think they'd be interested.
Because libraries are the public marketplace of ideas they should be supported by the public. Not only should tax dollars go to foster the enlightenment of all citizens, but citizens groups who feel that they have a message to share should also, if possible enhance a library's resources.
America is a melting pot. It is harder to resist this priciple of our country, as some try to, when ideas are freely shared and put in front of those who may not have enough desire of their own to search them out. It is hard to err by including the histories of our different backgrounds in the public library.
This post brings the importance of communal particpation to the fore. Resources need to be examined for worth and put in front of the public for appreciation. Such a task is hard with budgetary concerns as most libraries are faced with today. That is why the community must become involved in the life of the library.
I want to confirm that ethnic associations are helping with donations. For example, Public Libraries from Troy and Sterling Heights, where a large Romanian community is located, have each a small, nice collection of representative Romanian literature.
There are many initiatives, but many are not finalized however, because of the cost of bringing the books from Europe
I agree with Yashmyn and Holly. If you do want to showcase the fact that you have a diverse collection without separating the "diverse" books from the "regular" books, you could always make a display showcasing them for a short while. While categorizing can be somewhat useful, sectioning off books just keeps people out of certain areas of the library, since they're likely to think "not for me."
Also, I think we should be working towards the idea that all cultures are normal, and separating them helps promote a sense of other.
As far as promoting diverse collections, I think it would more efficient to separate them from the regular collection - not permanently - but rather in conjunction with library programs devoted to a certain ethnicity.
Amen on #2 and #3 on that "Do's and Don't's" list! Like I said a while back, there is a line between being diverse and being condescending.
Rock on! The do's and don'ts list is fantastic. As to the question of whether or not all libraires would be able to be self sufficient interms of multicultural collection, I honestly think that sometimes it just won't be feasible. When you are dealing with small rural libraries that are already struggling for funding expecting them to be completely self sufficient is asking a bit much. I do think that as long as the librarians involved are committed to access to a myriad of resources the patrons will be served in terms of receiving pertinent materials. Sue Henczel and Annette Monester dicuss this theme to some extent in their article Cultivating Non-English Collections: a unique partnership that alleviates the pain of librarians in multi-language communities. The article explains how they were able to research the issue of diversity in Australia and how there was the development of a consortium to handle the situation. For instance at the beginning of the article they explain their theses as, "Public, community and school libraries endeavour to provide equitable services to all of their clients and therefore provide collections in a multitude of languages. Some librarians have the skill to select and acquire materials in a handful of languages, but what about the many other languages that are required in a modern multicultural society?" It is noted that trying to rely solely on a library network to handle the parts of the collection that may be limited is not ideal but for plenty that is the best option that there is.
ALA | Cultivating Non-English Collections
www.ala.org/ala/iro/iroactivities/cultivatingnonenglish.htm - 42k - 2007-06-19 - Cached
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