Diversity in the Library

After reading the chapter 5 in Sex, Brains, and Video Games: A Librarian’ Guide to the Twenty-first Century, I realized more fully the complexities of serving the needs of diverse communities with in the library. Before this article, I knew to check the census, and to partner communities organizes to aid in serving a diverse community. I also knew that making materials available that addressed issues and reflected the interests of particular groups in a community would be some of the library services. I take it for granted that New York is probably the most diverse place in the world as a whole.

I learned many things from the article. I learned that placement on the shelf and catalog can hinder access to materials that service minorities. While I had read about books being hidden by librarians in this manner, I hadn't thought about all obstacles to equal library service that are thoughtlessly erected by librarians. Books for non-English speakers need to be very easy to find because it is very hard for a non-English speaker to request the materials he or she needs in person or on the computer. Also up-to-date age appropriate easy reading in English should also be placed near the non-English books. Good collection development practices in this area will also service to increase circulation.

Many immigrants come from countries that do not have public library systems. I have been told by Ellen Loughran that many do not understand that they are supposed to bring library books back to the library. Making sure there is a policy in place to forgive fines in situations like this, especially for children, is important to keeping patrons coming to the library and thereby improving literacy. Also I learned from chapter 5 that serving diverse communities does not mean making a poster depicting that group and hanging it in the library. While it now seems obvious that some members of particular communities would find a poster like this offensive, I had never considered that possibility. Serving diverse communities requires careful research and a sensitive approach.

Some ways to serve diverse communities:
1. Make appropriate reading materials accessible
2. Provide information on free English classes
3. Host free English classes when possible
4. Choose GLBT reading material for bibliographies
5. Incorporate themes in programming and exhibitions that reflect the community
6. Cultural themed story hours
7. Learn how to access translated material on the internet.
8. Keep a list of web addresses for News materials from around the world.
9. Employees when possible from the communities they serve
10. Give free language classes to employees will to learn Spanish, Creole etc.