2007SummerQ1.response

//We live in a country that consists of many people of different backgrounds, cultures, values, and preferences. From the core values statement of the American Library Association, we read:

“ALA recognizes its broad social responsibilities. The broad social responsibilities of the American Library Association are defined in terms of the contribution that librarianship can make in ameliorating or solving the critical problems of society; support for efforts to help inform and educate the people of the United States on these problems and to encourage them to examine the many views on and the facts regarding each problem; and the willingness of ALA to take a position on current critical issues with the relationship to libraries and library service set forth in the position statement.”

In addition, we read, “We value our nation's diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by providing a full spectrum of resources and services to the communities we serve.”

From the ALA code of ethics we read, “We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.// How can an information professional promote behaviors that comply with the above values and ethics?//**
 * //Why is valuing diversity important to the information professional?

Jody: One of the reasons I think we need to value diversity is this: people from different cultures and minority positions within our own culture (mentally, emotionally, physically handicapped, youth/aged, etc.) have different points of view, different perspectives, and sometimes, different issues. Only by giving them a voice and listening, can we broaden our own perspectives and better understand the world. It is not only that we need to provide them access to resources and services; we must also support their ability to add their voices to those which are heard in the social, political, and legal arenas. By doing so, we deepen and enrich the resources available to all. We are adding to the research content when we place importance and value on what the non-dominant culture has to say. Without this, we are no better than Google, which operates on a popularity basis in returning results.

Meghan's response: Q1 – the information professional serves her/his community, not just people like her/him. diversity must be valued in order to be understood – and must be understood in order to be served. otherwise libraries stop being common ground for all – the work-study college student and the one with daddy's credit card – and become empty buildings Q2 – values and ethics mentioned: equality of treatment, courtesy, full spectrum of resources, inform and educate, problem solving (are we solving problems, or educating problem solvers?), multiple views, openmindedness behaviors: nondiscrimination, courtesy, broad collection development policies, no censorship, making materials easy to find, classes, patron and staff instruction, awareness, confidentiality, approachability, non-judgemental attitudes, no prejudging

example: catalogs are difficult to use, so gentle instruction when asked for help locating an item, as well as signage and approachable staff members – roving reference, approaching patrons rather than waiting for them to approach – maps, displays, read-alike lists, theme reading lists are all ways to unlock the stacks

example: a collection development policy is a big way to consciously espouse ALA's values – having in writing and available to the public a policy of collecting material regardless of personal bias and that represents not only the visible and vocal community's taste but the greater community is a way to show a commitment to all library users. a foreign language collection, as well as foreign language fliers, card applications, policies, displays, etc., is a good way to welcome diversity. in conservative communities, this can be met with resistance from some library users, but in a public library or university, this can be countered if a written policy is in place committing the library to serving all users, not just those who speak English or are white or have a certain income level. also, foreign-language reading is not limited to illegal immigrants, or those who refuse to speak english (unlike what the narrow-minded attack on diverse collections says).

a good idea to mention ESL classes, language learning materials, citizenship materials, as well as literary material in other languages (represented in the community).

other areas for diversity in the collection: science, religion programming can reflect diversity – get community participation in order to open the library's doors to those outside the mainstream (i.e. a speaker from a minority business association, or a PFLAG or other gay rights groups)

cataloging: problems with subject headings over years

special libraries?

good resources: webjunction's material on spanish outreach; dr. mehra's class material (IS558); ala council on diversity website; public libraries in LA, SF, NYC and boroughs, other large cities;