"There are several important reasons to bring more focus to ongoing research about diversity, inclusion, and underrepresentation in LIS, as well as to encourage more work in this area. Consistent exposure to this area of research stands as a key means through which students in LIS programs can become ready to provide inclusive information services to the wide range of patrons they will encounter in their professional lives. The diversity of the population in the United States is rapidly increasing and will continue to do so. If students are not aware of the range of issues of diversity, inclusion, and underrepresentation related to information and the ways to provide services that meet the needs and expectations of diverse populations, these students will not be able to adequately serve their communities or their profession. Simply put, research in this area needs to be an integral part of every MLS curriculum." (Jaeger, Bertot, & Franklin.)
The above quote from the authors of the article, "Diversity, inclusion, and underrepresented populations in LIS research" illustrates why I chose to take this class. I want to be made more aware of the information needs of a wide range of multicultural issues. While I don't always like the term "melting pot", America is becoming that, and it's important as a librarian-in-training that I know more about the various cultures so that I can better understand their needs. Also, I am just plain curious and I have always been interested in other cultures. While earning my B.A. in History, I took many Asian studies classes, because it was something I hadn't studied or knew much about before college. I had heard enough about western Europe and England during my intro history classes, and I wanted to know more about China and Japan. I also two classes about Russian history, mostly because I wanted to understand the "Soviet Scare" better and understand how Russia became the U.S.S.R.
I found it very interesting in the above article how the authors wanted to see if diversity played a part in female African-Americans LIS desertions. I would actually hope that diversity would play a role, and the topics chosen would be ones akin to how to make library services more interesting to perhaps urban youths or people not otherwise visiting libraries. But perhaps that is a stereotype in itself. Still, even if that seems stereotypical, I would hope that a female African-American getting her Ph.D. in Library Science would want to develop programs that would appeal their ethnicity, since according to the article, African-Americans are underrepresented in the LIS universe.
I also found the paragraph in the article about LIS programs lacking diversity very interesting. Maybe this would seem too forward, but in our multicultural country, there is a greater need than ever to have a "diversity LIS class" requirement. So far I have found this class very satisfying. Not only have I learned and explored other ideologies, but this class has allowed me to express my own ideology. As a professional librarian one day not only will I want to serve the needs of many, but having explored my own culture will just make me more sure-footed about seeking information about others. I'm not sure about the exact requirements for a "diversity course" to be required, but if the idea was shaped better, it would be great and fun requirement for LIS students.
In closing, I believe that the article made some very good points about the low number of varying ethnicity in the library profession, especially in regards to the number of LIS faculty members. If more variety of peoples were members of LIS faculty, I am sure my above suggestion about a diversity class, and/or a bigger focus on diversity in LIS programs would happen.
References:
Jaeger, P. T., Bertot, J. C., & Franklin, R. E. (2010). Diversity, inclusion, and underrepresented populations in LIS research. Library Quarterly, 80, 175-181.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Social Bookmark 1: The National Library of Russia
Link: http://www.nlr.ru/eng/
This is the English version of the National Library of Russia. This website is for the library, but also has a rich amount of information about the culture of Russia, and of Europe countries. On the main page, under news, they proclaim what they have on exhibit right now. Of interest, is the maps of World War II. Also, they have an exhibition of current French work, from 2000-2010. Under services, they have an electronic delivery format, which is great if a person has an interest in viewing the items they own. Their collection also includes a separate European collection, that also includes European periodicals and an Asian collection, which having both collections makes sense, as Russia is nearby to both Europe and Asia. This is a great website and fun to explore the catalog! Also, under the tab Library, History, you can read several articles about the almost two hundred year history of the Library, along with the changes during those times.
This is the English version of the National Library of Russia. This website is for the library, but also has a rich amount of information about the culture of Russia, and of Europe countries. On the main page, under news, they proclaim what they have on exhibit right now. Of interest, is the maps of World War II. Also, they have an exhibition of current French work, from 2000-2010. Under services, they have an electronic delivery format, which is great if a person has an interest in viewing the items they own. Their collection also includes a separate European collection, that also includes European periodicals and an Asian collection, which having both collections makes sense, as Russia is nearby to both Europe and Asia. This is a great website and fun to explore the catalog! Also, under the tab Library, History, you can read several articles about the almost two hundred year history of the Library, along with the changes during those times.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Virginia's Cultural Mosaic
After reading Choo and Moon’s article about the different facets of one’s own cultural mosaic, I thought deeply about what titles I subscribe to, what cultural norms I hold, and I tried to piece it all together. My primary titles that I hold close to my heart are: mother, wife, white, middle-class, reader, learner.
With my son turning three next month, the title of mother is relatively new to me, the depth of this role has changed me into a more loving and compassionate individual. My son means everything to me. The role of wife conjures up the ideal homemaker, although I work full-time and work on graduate school part-time, so the traditional thoughts about what a “wife” should be I am not. I do not cook every night, I do not have a spic-and-span kitchen, and I do not even own an apron! Rather, I am a wife that attempts to give support and love to her husband, but sometimes fails in asking him enough about his day or keeping him fed. Yes, I have heard him complain about the lack of dinners!
My skin color is white and I’ve always been curious about what really is beneath it. Where did my ancestors come from? What part of Europe or the world did my ancestors create their lives? I’ve always wished my family knew more, but on both sides, vague answers were all I ever got.
My maiden last name is Vogan. I used to believe it was German, because my father told me so when I was young. A German-born woman I once worked with disputed my claim and said that Vogan was not a German surname, that it was Dutch. I went back and asked my father, and he just shrugged. Dad sighed and said, “Maybe we’re Dutch then. But I think there’s a little German somewhere in my family.” My mother has no idea about her ancestry, but she has long straight black hair, dark brown eyes and a warm brown complexion. I’ve questioned her about possible Native American roots. She has no idea. The other rumor is that in the Blue Ridge Mountain area where she was born and raised there could have an African-American somewhere in her blood. But she doesn’t know and unless I myself pry into our past, I will never know. I have contemplated for years finding out more about my family’s history. I resemble my Dad much more, with his clear blue eyes, blondish features, pale skin that burns almost instantly. I’ve always thought the term “white” just lumped a ton of different cultural peoples together in a big pot. I’ve always wished to distinguish myself by claiming one group, or even two groups. My husband has some of family tree completed, and it gives him much satisfaction to say he’s completely Irish on his paternal grandmother’s side.
I associate myself with being middle-class and suburban through and through. I’ve always lived in the suburbs. I was raised in a small town an hour south of Washington D.C. called Stafford. When I went to college, I transferred to Richmond VA to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. Even then, I chose to commute thirty minutes to school because I wanted to stay in a suburban area (Henrico, where I still live) rather than live in the urban environment. Urban areas always seemed exciting but scary to me. Good places to visit, but not to stay and live. I guess a part of me is a country girl, enjoying long yards of green grass, and green, oversized trees. When stress reaches a certain height in me, I close my eyes and I envision a gigantic field of sunflowers. It immediately quiets my racing mind, and gives me the repose I need.
I also associate myself as a reader and learner. Reading a great book is the best activity in the universe. I am so devoted to this title, this idea of being a consumer of information, that it pushed me into the idea of a librarian. Learning new technologies and being surrounded by books feels like the right fit for me. The title of librarian is one that I will uphold and cherish, because it sums up my interests neatly.
Secondary roles that are important me include being a daughter and sister. Although I live an hour away now, I still talk to my family often enough. I do not see them enough, but the hour drive is daunting for someone with no time. Another secondary role I have that has been on lockdown is that of a cancer survivor. At twenty-nine, when I was pregnant with my son, I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma. I still have my left eye, although the vision is not great. It is 20/50, which my eye doctors proclaim is “fantastic.” This cultural role, the cancer survivor, is one that I rarely choose to ponder. It springs to mind when I hear about someone else with cancer, or someone who died of cancer. And, then that awful fear consumes me, and I have to fight hard to put it back in its box. I cannot dwell on this cultural role; I cannot be worried about a reoccurrence. The only thing I can do is keep living life, to stay positive. There is something about cancer that puts a stamp on your heart forever: I do not have the luxury anymore to feel reassured about my health; anything could happen, and at any time, and I do not, and will not, trust my body one hundred percent ever again. Being a cancer survivor is a dubious group membership to belong to, but one in which I feel torn about. I beat cancer! I should feel relieved and ecstatic…but who wants to belong to that group at thirty-two years of age? I can assure you: no one.
With my son turning three next month, the title of mother is relatively new to me, the depth of this role has changed me into a more loving and compassionate individual. My son means everything to me. The role of wife conjures up the ideal homemaker, although I work full-time and work on graduate school part-time, so the traditional thoughts about what a “wife” should be I am not. I do not cook every night, I do not have a spic-and-span kitchen, and I do not even own an apron! Rather, I am a wife that attempts to give support and love to her husband, but sometimes fails in asking him enough about his day or keeping him fed. Yes, I have heard him complain about the lack of dinners!
My skin color is white and I’ve always been curious about what really is beneath it. Where did my ancestors come from? What part of Europe or the world did my ancestors create their lives? I’ve always wished my family knew more, but on both sides, vague answers were all I ever got.
My maiden last name is Vogan. I used to believe it was German, because my father told me so when I was young. A German-born woman I once worked with disputed my claim and said that Vogan was not a German surname, that it was Dutch. I went back and asked my father, and he just shrugged. Dad sighed and said, “Maybe we’re Dutch then. But I think there’s a little German somewhere in my family.” My mother has no idea about her ancestry, but she has long straight black hair, dark brown eyes and a warm brown complexion. I’ve questioned her about possible Native American roots. She has no idea. The other rumor is that in the Blue Ridge Mountain area where she was born and raised there could have an African-American somewhere in her blood. But she doesn’t know and unless I myself pry into our past, I will never know. I have contemplated for years finding out more about my family’s history. I resemble my Dad much more, with his clear blue eyes, blondish features, pale skin that burns almost instantly. I’ve always thought the term “white” just lumped a ton of different cultural peoples together in a big pot. I’ve always wished to distinguish myself by claiming one group, or even two groups. My husband has some of family tree completed, and it gives him much satisfaction to say he’s completely Irish on his paternal grandmother’s side.
I associate myself with being middle-class and suburban through and through. I’ve always lived in the suburbs. I was raised in a small town an hour south of Washington D.C. called Stafford. When I went to college, I transferred to Richmond VA to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. Even then, I chose to commute thirty minutes to school because I wanted to stay in a suburban area (Henrico, where I still live) rather than live in the urban environment. Urban areas always seemed exciting but scary to me. Good places to visit, but not to stay and live. I guess a part of me is a country girl, enjoying long yards of green grass, and green, oversized trees. When stress reaches a certain height in me, I close my eyes and I envision a gigantic field of sunflowers. It immediately quiets my racing mind, and gives me the repose I need.
I also associate myself as a reader and learner. Reading a great book is the best activity in the universe. I am so devoted to this title, this idea of being a consumer of information, that it pushed me into the idea of a librarian. Learning new technologies and being surrounded by books feels like the right fit for me. The title of librarian is one that I will uphold and cherish, because it sums up my interests neatly.
Secondary roles that are important me include being a daughter and sister. Although I live an hour away now, I still talk to my family often enough. I do not see them enough, but the hour drive is daunting for someone with no time. Another secondary role I have that has been on lockdown is that of a cancer survivor. At twenty-nine, when I was pregnant with my son, I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma. I still have my left eye, although the vision is not great. It is 20/50, which my eye doctors proclaim is “fantastic.” This cultural role, the cancer survivor, is one that I rarely choose to ponder. It springs to mind when I hear about someone else with cancer, or someone who died of cancer. And, then that awful fear consumes me, and I have to fight hard to put it back in its box. I cannot dwell on this cultural role; I cannot be worried about a reoccurrence. The only thing I can do is keep living life, to stay positive. There is something about cancer that puts a stamp on your heart forever: I do not have the luxury anymore to feel reassured about my health; anything could happen, and at any time, and I do not, and will not, trust my body one hundred percent ever again. Being a cancer survivor is a dubious group membership to belong to, but one in which I feel torn about. I beat cancer! I should feel relieved and ecstatic…but who wants to belong to that group at thirty-two years of age? I can assure you: no one.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
First post!
This is my blog for LIS 7370, multicultural services and resources. I am looking forward to this class! It should be very interesting!
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