Lecture 10: Diversity/Inclusion

"Where we stand shapes what we see, what we believe and what privileges and subordinations we experience." (Matsuda, 1996)

(Credit:  Coca- Cola Enterprises)

What is diversity?

Diversity is centered around the idea that every member of your team brings something unique.  It is about a plurality of views and experiences.

• Human Diversity- comes from a people's differences (i.e. physical, personal preference, life experiences)
• Cultural Diversity- comes from a social group's distinctive features (i.e. spiritual, material, intellectual, emotional)

How can we promote inclusion?

Being aware of diversity is the first step.  This includes observing and asking people about their needs, making "people" part of your environmental scan.

Just because libraries have technology, does not mean that they don't need to be physically accessible and welcoming as the first point of access for users.

From Amy:

I particularly enjoyed Dr. Copeland speaking about looking at information literacy accessibility for the differently-able and her research on analyzing the "lived experience" to determine future implementation. The concept of separatist social construction really gave me an Aha about the approach taken to information accessibility. Design and technology for the differently able and the typically able are not different animals. They occur at their best when implemented for the benefit of everyone. I want all the flush curbing, wider carrels, slopes instead of steps, more visible options, etc. that accessible design offers. And I know that now everyone screams, "but the budget...", however I think that if the city council was suddenly struck with different needs then the budget wouldn't even be mentioned. The trick is to get to the point where these "special" elements aren't seen as ADA required so that a token one or two things is provided but rather to have them seen as smart design for everyone.

From Tina:

I think that one of the greatest tools for working in a diverse environment, and life in general, is empathy, just like Dr. Feehan mentioned.  I grew up on a vineyard in California, my dad would send me and my brother out into the fields to work right along side the migrant workers, because he wanted to make sure we never thought of ourselves as better than someone else.  One thing I remember is being out there in the field surround by people who were talking, singing, and having fun, in a language I didn't understand.  That was a lonely feeling, and I hated it.  One group of workers, three brothers and a sister, stayed on all year and my dad built a small house for them to live in, and in exchange they taught me and my brother how to speak Spanish, but when I did not know the language, and I had no idea what they were talking about it was uncomfortable.  I can only imagine how it must feel to be in a new country, speaking a different language, and struggling to fit in.  These issues come into play when patrons come into our library and struggle to communicate their needs.

Once my husband and I moved to Minnesota, I worked as a Special Education para, which gave me another opportunity to experience working in a diverse environment.  The parents and students I worked with ranged in disability from high functioning to severe, and I loved the idea of "differences make us specially-able."  I think that is so true!  I think it is so important to look at each patron we serve as an individual with special needs.  Libraries are diverse communities within diverse communities, if that makes sense.

Works Cited

Matsuda, M. (1996). Where is your body? and other essays on race, gender, and law. Beacon Press.