Recognize and describe cultural and economic diversity in the clientele of libraries or information organizations.
Introduction
Because they are institutions which provide free access to information and other resources, libraries attract a number of different types of users. They are often de facto community centers for many cities: places where all residents can make use of the myriad products and services offered. Even libraries for specific professions such as law or medicine serve patrons from different cultural and economic backgrounds.
In SJSU’s Visual Resource Library we see a mix of students from all over the world. Serving a culturally diverse community has never been an issue for us, but an area where I think we could improve is in how we address economic diversity. Because the VRL’s collection is completely digital, students who don’t have computers cannot easily access it. In addition, our room in the Art building feels much more like a professors’ lounge than a welcoming space for students. Given the budget and opportunity, I would love to make it a space that students could feel comfortable using if they needed to.
Evidence
What barriers do citizens face in getting information?
In this brief response to an important question facing information professionals, I explore the role of financial security and technology in accessing information. While it is true that public libraries are available to everyone who wants to use them, some simply do not have the means to visit it. We turn to the internet when we need information because we are likely to find what we are looking for without having to pay, and end up taking this process for granted. But for those who would consider internet access a luxury and not a necessity, it is not so easy.
This is a proposal for a makerspace and program I designed called “Hack Your Snack,” which is intended to educate younger children and teens about making healthier choices when it comes to their diets. The program was designed for the city of Sunnyvale’s public library and its focus is on teaching participants how to make healthful snacks with the supplies and basic equipment such as bowls, measuring utensils, and a microwave that most of them already have at home. My proposal includes a plan for expansion to an area of the city where residents have lower incomes and less access to resources. Areas like these are typically referred to as “food deserts,” where there are more convenience stores than grocery stores and healthful food is harder to find than in other areas of the city. By expanding my program to this area, my hope is to teach participants that they can eat food that tastes good, is easy to prepare, and is more nourishing than what they would buy at the corner store.
Professional Development
I firmly believe that in order to offer relevant services, librarians must be active in their communities. In order to be in touch with the needs of those we serve and respect the diversity and backgrounds of all who use the library, we must be involved participants in the areas in which we practice. Since 2011, I have served on my city’s Arts Commission and have found that in our meetings, we are often presented with information about development and the economic status of the city. This information helps us to make our recommendations for various arts projects to the city council, but also gives us a better view of our city’s cultural and economic makeup. Serving on this commission is something I hope to continue to do in the future, and I know that seeing my city from this unique point of view will allow me to not only understand and respect its diversity, but use this knowledge to offer suitable collections and programming to library patrons.