The children librarian’s role has never been more critical than it is right now. Today, we are seeing increased potential for ethnic intolerance, and racial tensions encouraged by a climate that is categorically contrary to the library profession’s fundamental values, specifically diversity, equity and inclusion.
Youth services librarians play a crucial role in crafting services and culturally-inclusive programming that create a safe and welcoming environment for children and families of all cultural backgrounds, which in turn ameliorates confusion and fears and aids in dispelling ignorance. Maya Angelou spoke to these ideals when she observed, “If everybody knows something about the African heritage, the African gift…there’s a possibility that [strangers or enemies] might become friends”. Hence, through multicultural literacy, we can aid in eradicating hate, irrespective of the culture being examined.
Culturally-inclusive programming needs to go beyond annual events, and instead needs to be incorporated within regularly scheduled children’s programming. Such offerings should focus on nurturing empathy as well as ‘understanding of the self and others’.
I encourage all youth services librarians to revisit and draw inspiration from ALSC’s Competencies, particularly Competency I: Commitment to Client Group. They are more relevant right now than probably at any other time during our lifetime. Already ALSC has disseminated an excellent resource list. I would ask you to also consider Mem Fox’s “Whoever You Are” as a springboard for meaningful conversation on how we are different on the surface, but profoundly alike in what matters most, our humanity.
ALSC, IFLA and UNESCO share a common ideal that, “Respect for the diversity of cultures, tolerance, dialogue and cooperation, in a climate of mutual trust and understanding are among the best guarantees of international peace and security.” Children hold the ultimate answers, thus, it is up to us to give them the guidance they will need to bring about a better tomorrow.
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Today’s Guest Blogger is Marianne Rodriguez. Marianne was born in the town of Cidra, Puerto Rico, the town of eternal springtime, in the east central mountains of Puerto Rico – the same town as Pura Belpré! Immigrating to Florida as a young adult, Marianne has dedicated her professional career to public librarianship, and championing the information needs of immigrant families in Central Florida libraries as well as creating and promoting services to the Hispanic community through a variety of ongoing youth services programming. The focus of her MLIS degree studies was multicultural youth services, and inspired her to explore how librarians can play an active role in human rights.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you’d like to write a guest post for the ALSC Blog, please contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog manager, at alscblog@gmail.com.
Elise
Fantastic post! All inclusive programming is important. Build a Better World isn’t just about building green buildings and energy. Sharing our diversity as a community is a big part of that.
Marianne
Thanks, Elise! Your observations are very insightful. I like how you make the connection between sharing diversity and the theme of the upcoming summer reading program. STE(A)M activities and multicultural diversity can be integrated , gathering inspiration from stories such as ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’, ‘One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia’, and ‘Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay’. Although I have not seen a book about it, there are countries such as the Philippines where water bottles are being used as light bulbs. Children of all cultural backgrounds will be inspired by these stories.