We have become not a melting pot, but a beautiful mosaic, different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. -Jimmy Carter. Diversity, what does the word mean to you? How does the term influence your library

Evans, Karen

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Indiana Libraries, Vol. 25, Number 2 1FORWARD:DIVERSITY IN INDIANA LIBRARIESby Karen EvansEditor, Indiana LibrariesWe have become not a melting pot, but a beautifulmosaic, different people, different beliefs, differentyearnings, different hopes, different dreams.Jimmy CarterDiversity, what does the word mean to you? Howdoes the term influence your library? Does itdenote:Having various Spanish language items for aclearly increasing Spanish population?Providing Spanish, Russian, or Slavic languagebooks for children, adolescents, and adults on avariety of topics?Making available foreign language newspapers,magazines and videos?A bilingual or culturally diverse staff?Supporting V.I.T.A.L. (Volunteers in Tutoring AdultLearners) or ESL (English as a Second Language)programs?Celebrating Martin Luther King Day?Planning a month of events for Women’s HistoryMonth?Decorating the library for Christmas, Hanukkah orKwanza?Diversity can encompass many areas of academicand public libraries. The very freedom of the termallows libraries wide latitude in their holdings andevents to celebrate the cultures of their communities.How can libraries increase diversity for their patrons?Mentor high school or college age students asfuture librariansBuild your collections for children and adults—include a variety of items and formatsIncrease library displays and presentations tofeature holidays and culturesAsk foreign culture associations in your communityto present programs or create displays highlightingcultural eventsStart V.I.T.A.L. or ESL classes in your libraryOffer diversity training to staff and faculty in yourlibraryThe articles in this publication present unique ideasand challenging programs; read about the libraries inIndiana and how they are working to increase diversitywithin their walls—then open your library doors toeveryone in your community.

Forward: Diversity in Indiana Libraries

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Forward: Diversity in Indiana Libraries

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