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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
1992
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED354895 |
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Table of Contents:
- Can Academic Reference Librarians Enhance the Cultural Diversity of the Nation's Colleges and Universities? Wilkinson, David Academic Libraries Adult Reading Programs Colleges Cultural Awareness Cultural Pluralism Higher Education Interpersonal Relationship Librarians Library Extension Library Instruction Library Role Library Services Reference Services Universities Academic reference librarians can enhance the campus cultural diversity of colleges and universities by displaying sensitivity at the reference desk; understanding multicultural group behaviors; avoiding stereotyped attitudes; appreciating a wide range of cognitive style differences; striving to make multicultural students feel comfortable; retaining an appreciation of gender and racial points of view; understanding the need for end-user training tailored to multi-ethnic users for the various computer systems now located in libraries and essential for research; showing that they do not necessarily always expect perfect English from students; possessing personal interaction skills; and encouraging an understanding of the importance of cultural diversity in academic settings. In addition to reference desk interaction, librarians also have opportunities to enhance cultural diversity through bibliographic instruction, academic committee work, outreach activities, summer enrichment programs, literacy advocacy, intern recruitment, and informal mentoring. A tangential benefit of the successful application of these activities is the awareness that preservation of our nation's cultural heritage is an essential library role. (KRN)