By Keegan Sulecki
(Sorry for the confusion. I am posting under H's account because my account is having some issues.)
So far this week we have discussed many aspects of multiculturalism and diversity in the library profession. However, the question still remains, after doing our work each day to encourage a diverse staff and a diverse collection of materials, is this enough that we can sit back as librarians and feel satisfied that we have met the needs of all members of our communities? Should we be satisfied with ourselves simply because our conduct is consistent with every patron that we meet face to face? These are important questions to keep in mind as libraries evaluate services and technologies and decide how budgets should be allocated.
In an article in 2006 in Public Libraries, Meagan Albright points out that it is not enough to provide basic services for our diverse groups but to perform outreach to discover the full needs of our communities. Libraries have the potential to serve as a haven for diverse groups by providing a tolerant atmosphere and access to information. While Albright’s article focuses mainly on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, the point she makes about being proactive in our services should be a universal outlook as we strive not only to satisfy our regular patrons but to fulfill our obligation to draw attention to libraries and our profession as a resource for all people.
As I did my reading to prepare writing this blog I found consistent statements that research on the information and technology needs of diverse groups is scarce. Nonetheless, the writers do point out specific ways outreach can be carried out and ways current technologies might be reaching out to different communities in ways we might not initially realize. For instance, technology has enabled libraries to provide virtual reference, which allows patrons to ask questions and seek assistance without having to actually travel to the library. On the surface it might look like simple convenience, but it allows distance learning students to ask questions without the expense of time and gas to continue their educations. It also allows individuals with disabilities the opportunity to obtain information that they might not otherwise have access to due to difficulties leaving their homes unassisted.
In an article from The Journal of Academic Librarianship in 2007, virtual reference also enabled the authors to perform a study on the different reference needs of non-traditional Caucasian and African American students. In this study, it was found that African American students were more hesitant in their initial virtual reference correspondence, as if “testing the waters”, but that this group tended to ask more questions by the second or third email and expressed more feeling of gratitude than other students. While the authors’ conclusion is that more research is necessary to truly understand the different needs of these groups this does highlight the need for libraries to perform more outreach to non-traditional students and that perhaps if some African American students seem hesitant in their initial questions, there might be others out there who have let this hesitation prevent them from making any contact at all.
There are many reasons why individuals due to ethnic identity or other characteristic might be reluctant to make the first step in asking for assistance. Feelings of intimidation are not uncommon for any student when seeking help from academic librarians, but this experience might be even more difficult, for example, if the patron is an ESL student trying to communicate in their second language while under stress. It also must be kept in mind that most technological resources that are available are usually in English, putting ESL students at a distinct disadvantage as they are faced with the constant struggle of not only gaining access to information technology, but also of putting it to use when it might be in a language they are not comfortable with.
This fact is an unfortunate one because research does show that minority students are more likely to face difficulties gaining access to information and technology. In an article in Education Libraries 2007, the authors take this fact and use it to challenge librarians to use academic communities as an opportunity to reach out to different multicultural and diversity organizations. Libraries consistently fail to seek out these organizations for collaborations or even just to understand how services can be shaped to better serve the community.
While this is not a comprehensive overview of all of the ways library services can meet the needs of patrons from diverse and multicultural backgrounds, it does point out some of the reasons why settling for the minimum in serving our populations is not satisfactory. In a country that is becoming more dynamic and diverse, and in our goals of staying relevant to our communities, it is our duty to be proactive and question whether our currant standards are allowing our resources to touch as many people as possible. Also, it is key that we not take for granted that we know the needs of our populations, but to use outreach as a tool to see if we are creating that havens of tolerance and opportunity that we should be striving for.
Questions:
- Much of what was discussed was done in the context of academic libraries. Is this as relevant for public libraries?
- What other ways can librarians perform outreach through services or technologies?
- What are some other reasons multicultural individuals or others from diverse groups might be reluctant to seek assistance from library staff?
- What library services have you seen that you feel takes the initiative in meeting the needs of diverse groups?
Albright, M. (2006 ). The Public Library's Responsibility to LGBT Communities. Public Libraries, 45(5), 6.
Love, E. (2007). Building Bridges: Cultivating Relationships Between Libraries and Minorities. Education Libraries, 30(1), 7.
Shachaf, P., Snyder, M. (2007). The Relationship Between Cultural Diversity and User Needs in Virtual Reference Services. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 33(3), 7.
Soneda, B. (2005). Diversity: Try Standing In Their Shoes. Alki, 21(2), 2.
9 comments:
I think that these ideas are just as relevant for public libraries, if not more so. Public libraries, depending on where they are located, can serve an even more diverse patron base than that of an academic library. This makes reaching out to these groups even more important. Also as far as technology goes, it could be argued that there is more of a need in that area as well. Academic libraries primarily serve college students and faculty, who presumably have some prior experience with technology in high school and/or college. In a public library the patrons might not be as educated or have this experience, which could create a bit more of a challenge.
As pointed out, one way academic librarians can perform outreach by maintaining relationships with organizations and other groups that promote multiculturalism and diversity. I know when I did my undergrad there were several such groups, which I think could have been a great resource for the library. They can also use various technologies to promote their commitment to diversity. As it states in an article by Courtney Young, “academic libraries can and should use the Web as a primary means of delivering both diverse library collections and library services to diverse audiences”. The article points out that this is not always being done, which is unfortunate.
Library users from diverse backgrounds might be afraid to approach librarians because they feel intimated or embarrassed. It was mentioned that they may not speak English well. They may not be comfortable approaching someone from a different background that they might have difficulty connecting with. This makes it all the more important to reach out and try to make sure their needs are met. This kind of outreach is what will bridge some barriers and help us serve these patrons the best way possible.
Work Cited
Young, C. (2006). Collection Development and Diversity on CIC Academic Library Web sites. The Journal of Academic Librarianship , 32 (4), 370-376.
"Computer and internet access are insufficient without the skill to use the technology, and economic opportunity and political participation provide primary justification for realizing that this inequality is a public problem and not simply a matter of private misfortune." This is from Beyond the Digital Divide which discusses the effect of the lack of technical skills and the lack of access upon education, economic opportunity, and democracy. The library is truly a place to try to mend this divide and should be providing outreach programs in this area at many levels. The freedom of access to information with the intent to provide the necessary information for patrons to make good decisions, really does no good unless everyone can have this access. As Kelly said, this is not really a problem in the academic library, but it can certainly limit the possibilties of being a student in the first place. Alot of libraries do offer some technical education, but it is usually very basic, and could be extended into research basics, especialy how to use library resources and how to evaluate internet sources.
Mossberger, Karen. Virtual Inequality Beyond the Digital Divide. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press. 2003.
Kelly,
I liked your comment about using technologies to promote our commitement to diversity. I think there are many ways this can be done especially in public libraries. For instance, as you pointed out there could be patrons who have not had the opportunity to be exposed to computers and the internet as much as some others have. Libraries can reach out to these groups and provide education by hosting workshops in their computer labs to give these individuals more of an opportunity. My library, Independence Twp, does have some basic computer classes to help people who may never have worked on a computer before. I also know that Orion Twp has classes on how to use certain Microsoft applications.
Another way I think you idea could be applied is related to my recent show and tell project for LIS 6080. My group talked about myspace and its place in libraries. I feel that this is a very easy and inexpensive way to my first contact with multicultural and diversity organization in the community. Also, teens are in a way, their own marginalized group and social networking is a great way to make our presence known.
Whether through using technology to create opportunities for others or by using it to perform outreach, it is definitly a way to strive toward meeting our full obligation to our communities.
Public libraries have to cater to their communities. If the community is very diverse with many ethnic groups, then the library will obviously work towards that. Also if a community is very homogenuous then the library will be modeled like the community. College libraries, I would think, would be similiar. It would depend on how diverse that campus would be. Library technologies would also refect the community and how diverse it is
One "service," if it can be seen as such, is helping patrons from different ethnicities help understand one another's heritage. One librarian, Patty Wong, has gained attention for organizing programs that help patrons from different backgrounds get to know one another, which - absent these programs - might not have happened. Much of the literature on the subject focusses on a diverse workforce, which is important, but I thought that it was interesting that this article focussed on bringing together patrons from other ethnicities.
Bridge Builder. Library Journal (1976) 132 no5 26 Mr 15 2007 supp
One "service," if it can be seen as such, is helping patrons from different ethnicities help understand one another's heritage. One librarian, Patty Wong, has gained attention for organizing programs that help patrons from different backgrounds get to know one another, which - absent these programs - might not have happened. Much of the literature on the subject focusses on a diverse workforce, which is important, but I thought that it was interesting that this article focussed on bringing together patrons from other ethnicities.
Bridge Builder. Library Journal (1976) 132 no5 26 Mr 15 2007 supp
I loved your post! I think that the situation of intimidation probably more common in public libraries than in academic libraries. In an academic library there is already hte idea that you have to go in so to conduct research. In a public library when dealing with groups who are not native speakers the situation I'm sure is overwhelming for some. In 2006 Leslie Berger president of the ALA came up with a list of qualities that Library Science students should have upon entering the profession. She does not make mention of the role of multiculturalism specifically in her list of guidenlines and as a result Vanessa Morris wrote a response to this assertion,"What is intriguing about her statement and her list, is that there is no mention nor call for the need for librarians or library educators to be culturally responsive or competent in a diverse society, or the need to even appreciate culture of oneself, others, or society.My position in support of Ms. Berger’s platform, is that this theme needs to come from a cultural POV, an overlapping layered POV, as in a multicultural POV, due to the fact that America is an increasingly diverse society with an immediate global connection to the rest of the societies of the world that (in addition to being predominantly societies of color), thanks to technology, has never been so intimately connected on this magnitude nor immediacy ever before in known recorded history." I felt this statement accurately summed up my perspective on the situation when addressing issues of the place of technology and society.
Seeking Culturally Competent Pedagogy in Librarian Education:www.ala.org/ala/hrdr/abouthrdr/hrdrliaisoncomm/committeeoned/CulturallyCompetent_Morris.pdf - Text Version
I think the most interesting thing I saw in a library is the most diverse virtual reference and language center I've ever seen in a public library. It was packed with ESL patrons waiting in line to use the computer because it was compatible for over 7 different languages. So I think the concept of multiculturalism and technological services are definitely prevalent in public libraries as well as academic libraries. I think with a hurdle like speaking a different language especially in an area that isn't very diverse or multicultural, the concept of approaching a stranger in a library is just as hard as buying groceries. To get to the key demographic of the multicultural people in the community outreach is the number on priority, a public library should have several different languages available on their website and their online catalog and carry even more diverse collections for the general community, following local ethnic populations that are in the surrounding areas.
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