Tag Archives: inclusivity

The 10-Minute Library Advocate #91: Think how you can promote cultural diversity

Through providing access to information, libraries have a key role in opening eyes and broadening horizons.

In schools, they can complement classroom work by promoting wider reading. In universities, they make it possible for students to build up a deeper, wider idea of the state of knowledge in their fields. Beyond, they enable people to discover – and even escape to – new worlds.

Crucially, they have a key potential role in helping readers explore and enjoy the diversity of their communities, their countries, and the world as a whole.

This of course doesn’t just stop at information itself, but also the activities and opportunities that can be built on top of this, using spaces and staff support.

Importantly, there is the possibility to make people aware of perspectives and experiences that they may not have thought of, and to celebrate this diversity.

Through this, libraries can help achieve the goals of the International Day of Cultural Diversity, marked last Saturday!

So for our 91st 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, think how you can promote cultural diversity.

How can you best work with those bringing these different perspectives and experiences in order to share these?

What ideas do you have for giving users the opportunity to try something different, stepping outside of what they know and embracing difference?

How can you present this as a positive, as something that brings benefits to individuals and groups alike?

To start, there are lots of great ideas in IFLA’s Multicultural Library Manifesto, and its accompanying toolkit. You can also take a look at our blog for the International Day of Cultural Diversity, which explores indicators of the impact of diversity on development!

Let us know your ideas in the comments below.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! Key Initiative 2.3: Develop standards, guidelines, and other materials that foster best professional practice 

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box below!