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Information Services to Diverse Populations: Developing Culturally Competent Library Professionals
The development of cultural competency skills and social awareness benefits LIS students, their future employers, and the library profession at large--not to mention library customers and society as a whole. This textbook and comprehensive resource introduces students to the contexts and situations that promote the development of empathy and build cultural competence, examines the research in the areas of diversity and social justice in librarianship, explains how social responsibility is a foundational value of librarianship, and identifies potential employment and networking opportunities related to diversity and social justice in librarianship.
A valuable book for students in graduate library and information science programs as well as LIS practitioners and researchers interested in knowing more about the topic of diversity in the profession, Information Services to Diverse Populations: Developing Culturally Competent Library Professionals addresses the political, social, economic, and technological divides among library patrons, covers transformative library services, and discusses outreach and services to diverse populations as well as how to evaluate such services, among many other topics. Appendices containing suggestions for exercises and assignments as well as lists of related library organizations and readings in related literature provide readers with additional resources.
A valuable book for students in graduate library and information science programs as well as LIS practitioners and researchers interested in knowing more about the topic of diversity in the profession, Information Services to Diverse Populations: Developing Culturally Competent Library Professionals addresses the political, social, economic, and technological divides among library patrons, covers transformative library services, and discusses outreach and services to diverse populations as well as how to evaluate such services, among many other topics. Appendices containing suggestions for exercises and assignments as well as lists of related library organizations and readings in related literature provide readers with additional resources.
184 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 29, 2020
This was my textbook for an online class I took for library school, Services for Diverse Populations. I was glad I decided to buy the kindle version. Being able to highlight really helped for class discussion posts (and for my memory, which does much better retaining the imaginary than the real), and now I’ll have those notes for review.
It’s a textbook, so it’s not exactly a page-turner, but it’s not as dry as some of the scholarly writing I’ve read for school. It’s readable, interesting, and it introduces concepts I didn’t know about before, or maybe just hadn’t seen them named and defined, like cultural humility, microaggressions (OK, I knew that one), and stereotype threat. It’s a good resource both for public and academic libraries, as well as LIS professors. It has a sample syllabus and sample assignments in the appendices, and I’ll just say I hope not all those assignments were packed into one semester when the author taught it. Yikes!
I would recommend this for professional collections in public and academic libraries and also for personal collections of librarians who didn’t take any courses specifically on this topic during library school. As the author points out, courses addressing diversity and inclusion tend to be electives rather than prerequisites, and it’s up to information professionals to seek out this training and scholarship so they can effectively serve their communities.
It’s a textbook, so it’s not exactly a page-turner, but it’s not as dry as some of the scholarly writing I’ve read for school. It’s readable, interesting, and it introduces concepts I didn’t know about before, or maybe just hadn’t seen them named and defined, like cultural humility, microaggressions (OK, I knew that one), and stereotype threat. It’s a good resource both for public and academic libraries, as well as LIS professors. It has a sample syllabus and sample assignments in the appendices, and I’ll just say I hope not all those assignments were packed into one semester when the author taught it. Yikes!
I would recommend this for professional collections in public and academic libraries and also for personal collections of librarians who didn’t take any courses specifically on this topic during library school. As the author points out, courses addressing diversity and inclusion tend to be electives rather than prerequisites, and it’s up to information professionals to seek out this training and scholarship so they can effectively serve their communities.
November 5, 2018
This should be required reading in all intro to MLS/MLIS courses
February 13, 2022
*Note: This book was published in 2016. I do fully understand that some statistics and circumstances have changed since this book was debuted.
However, with that said, I do feel that many of the worksheets and demographics the book addresses, are still relevant to today's services.
How can Libraries serve diverse populations? First we must ALL look within and discover our own diversity and limitations. Then we must look at what we do and do not offer to these demographics.
Who are these demographics: the homeless, the LGBTQ, the new citizens, the veterans, the incarcerated, different religious groups, racial minority groups, senior citizens, mental and physical ability/disability, among others.
Each chapter creates a hands-on homework approach to both understanding each demographic, potential training resources, ways to expand services despite limitations of funds or staffing, OUTREACH services (I stress this because libraries in my opinion HAVE to start going out of their brick and mortar buildings to reach x communities), collection development and programming.
However, with that said, I do feel that many of the worksheets and demographics the book addresses, are still relevant to today's services.
How can Libraries serve diverse populations? First we must ALL look within and discover our own diversity and limitations. Then we must look at what we do and do not offer to these demographics.
Who are these demographics: the homeless, the LGBTQ, the new citizens, the veterans, the incarcerated, different religious groups, racial minority groups, senior citizens, mental and physical ability/disability, among others.
Each chapter creates a hands-on homework approach to both understanding each demographic, potential training resources, ways to expand services despite limitations of funds or staffing, OUTREACH services (I stress this because libraries in my opinion HAVE to start going out of their brick and mortar buildings to reach x communities), collection development and programming.
July 18, 2021
A brief overview highlighting the importance of providing library services to diverse (and often underserved) populations. While the information is valuable and the resources thoroughly listed, the general impression is the same thing being said over and over again, with few practical suggestions.
Yes, it is clear that diversity in the field of LIS should not only occur in hiring decisions but also in the teaching of future LIS professionals, which also includes hiring diverse faculty in LIS programs. However, this point is essentially reiterated in various ways throughout the short text. The resources listed are probably the highlight of the text.
A great introduction, but not a deep look at this issue.
Yes, it is clear that diversity in the field of LIS should not only occur in hiring decisions but also in the teaching of future LIS professionals, which also includes hiring diverse faculty in LIS programs. However, this point is essentially reiterated in various ways throughout the short text. The resources listed are probably the highlight of the text.
A great introduction, but not a deep look at this issue.
January 2, 2021
I read this as a textbook for a class of the same name. The book is geared mostly towards public librarianship but I feel is beneficial for other information professionals who will interact with a diverse population. This text helped open me up more to understanding systemic racisms as well as characteristics of other diverse populations. Thinking about those who experience homelessness and those with chronic or invisible illnesses was very impactful for me. I think this is an important topic for MSLIS students and ought to be required or highly recommended.
August 23, 2017
A must-read for library professionals regarding recruiting diversely, ideas for sustaining diversity in the workplace, creating a safe space for marginalized folks within the library, and teaching staff in the long-term how to be culturally competent. I'm hoping to utilize ideas from this text within my own position as a Training Librarian to promote awareness and increase customer service to ALL populations.
March 27, 2019
Full disclosure, I know Dr. Cooke and admire her and her work. This is a "text" book and as such I did skim some parts. I had to request an Inter-Library Loan (thank you Indiana University South Bend) and, sadly, I think I may be the only one to have cracked open this book. I will decline to comment on that as maybe being symptomatic of information science programs and equity work. This text is full of great information and succinct stories/examples/explanations.
May 20, 2021
Exceptional resource for Information Science professionals hoping to work with diverse populations, either within the traditional library setting or outside in the community. I was blessed to be able to take a course with Dr. Cooke during her time at the University of Illinois, and her teaching is nothing short of revolutionary. Great resource for understanding how to work with people, rather than for them.
November 17, 2019
Pretty good, informative, clear, with enough information. A solid introduction to cultural competence through the lens of librarianship.
June 23, 2020
Good work with lots of additional resources. Had many topics that I'm aware of, but made me think and reflect on them in different ways.
September 4, 2020
Excellent resource for culturally aware and inclusive library services and outreach. Central text in services to diverse populations class in my MLIS program.
May 12, 2023
I'm looking forward to reading the updated version for 2024 as there are quite a few outdated statistics and language, but this text discusses what is missed in so many LIS courses.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews