Mainstream Discourse on Multiculturalism and Libraries

Jaeger, P. T., Bertot, J. C., & Franklin, R. E. (2010, April). Diversity, Inclusion, and Underrepresented Populations in LIS Research. The Library Quarterly, 80(2), 175-181. Retrieved September 9, 2011, from Chicago Journals.

I have heard that libraries need to work on their diversity. Each time I heard that I thought of the different collections and programming my local libraries due on diversity and to reach diverse populations. I would think what do they mean libraries are not diverse? This article made me understand. "The professional commitment to serving diverse patron communities, however, has never translated into librarianship becoming a truly diverse profession" (Jaeger, 2010, p. 175).

Although we do serve other populations, with different collections and programming, the profession itself is not diverse. The people who work: the librarians, administration, and staff are not diverse. This is something that I can see if I look around me. I have worked, volunteered or interned at three different libraries. Between the three of them, I can say it is primarily dominated by Caucasian females. Interesting since the profession started out with Caucasian males dominating, but I digress.

This article argues that this needs to change in order to better serve the population and states ways that this can be changed. Jaeger, et al can be changed by completing more research in diversity in library profession. The article said that the people who work in the profession influence the people who will go into that field, because they will look for people who they can identify with. Libraries are lacking in this area, since it is dominated by Caucasian people, probably mostly females. Honestly, this articles made me feel bad for being a white female...like I have nothing to bring to the profession, at least in this regard. At least I could conduct research in diverse subjects to help diversify the profession in that way and start to see how I can make changes in the profession.

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Abdullahi, I. (2007). Diversity and Intercultural issues in library and information science (LIS) education. New Library World, 108(9/10), 453-459. Retrieved September 9, 2011.

This article to speaks about the education in library and information science. The author argues that because the world is becoming more diverse, the library education needs to also become more diverse. The author purposes four ways that teachers in the information profession can do this:

1. the teacher is socioculturally conscious

2. has affirming views of students from diverse backgrounds

3. sees themselves as responsible for and capable of bringing about educational change

4. uses their knowledge about the students to build on what the student already knows. (Abdullahi, 2007)

The biggest thing that stuck out to me in this article was this, "Therefore, to gain sociocultural consciousness, aspiring future information professionals must not only understand their own sociocultural identities but also come to recognize the intricate connection between libraries and society. They must come to see that, as traditionally organized institutions, libraries help to reproduce existing social inequalities while giving the illusion that such inequalities are natural and fair" (Abdullahi, 2007, p. 455).

This statement is a wake up call. Abdullahi is looking at libraries and shaking them with this statement, because I think libraries naturally reflect the social structure around them. By naturally, I mena they do this without thinking. Perhaps most businesses do this as well, but libraries are called to a higher calling than the average business. Libraries are supposed to level the playing field by offering free resources, unbiasedly, to all people, however Abdullahi is saying that libraries are not doing this.

What makes this statement hard to act on, is that information professionals are just following what society has trained them to do since they were young. Most library professionals probably think that they are not excluding anyone, so how can the libraries fix what they don't realize is broken? I look at myself and try to see where in libraries I could start to make a difference, but it is hard to where the libraries are lacking and to see what could be done differently.

I think starting to change things can start with what the Abdullahi article talked about - education. If library professionals are trained throughout their education to look at society to see what changes can be made, this change might be easier. Easier to spot, at least, probably not easy to change, but these new professions could start to advocate for change. Research, as the Jaeger, et al article states, will also help the change. Look at Abdullahi's article; without that, I may never have started the process of questioning the libraries' processes and looking for ways I can change it. By publishing that article more librarians are looking at their library world and what they can do to become more diverse, with the workers, with their services and with the people they mentor. Once the information profession starts to do this, following what society does without thinking may be replaced by analyzing the information profession.