Developing a Good Multicultural Collection in Your School Library

Why is it important to have a good multicultural collection in a school library?

Most schools are not simply made up of one or two races/cultures. Most schools have multiple races that need to represented. Having a good multicultural collection in your school’s library ensures that every student can find something to represent their heritage/culture. First:

“Any person who may have an interest in materials that present different cultural perspectives” need to be able to have access to those materials, whether it be for educational research or personal research. Second:

Having a multicultural collection in a school library promotes the idea that even students (young adults) need to take an interest in cultural and worldwide affairs. Third:

Fourth: Multiculturalism is an ALA recognized issue and having a good multicultural collection in a school library promotes ALA and YALSA standards concerning young adult readers.

Examples of ALA Multicultural Standards Area I: Leadership and Professionalism Competency 6: The LMS will be able to demonstrate an understanding of and a respect for diverse cultural and ethnic values. Area IV: Administration Competency 1: The LMS will be able to Develop a strategic plan for library service with young adults based on their unique needs. Area VII: Services Competency 6: The LMS will be able to Provide a variety of informational and recreational services to meet the diverse needs and interests of young adults. (Young Adults Deserve the Best: Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth,

ALA Multicultural Awards 1.The Gate/EMIERT Multicultural Award: “ recognizes any significant accomplishments in library services that are national or international in scope and that include improving, spreading, and promoting multicultural librarianship” 2.The David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award: “ encourages and recognizes articles of significant new research and publication that increases understanding and promotes multiculturalism in libraries in North America. 3.Coretta Scott King Award: “award given to an African American author and an African American illustrator for an outstandingly inspirational and educational contribution” (award descriptions taken from

So how does a library media specialist go about developing a good multicultural collection in his or her school library?

First: Define and understand what multicultural means.

To do this, it is important to first understand the difference between race, culture, and heritage.

Race, culture, and heritage are all so intermixed, it is often difficult to separate them, but it is important to remember that they are actually separate.

Race is…… …a group of people of common ancestry or stock; a class or kind of people unified by common interests, habits, or characteristics.

Culture is…. …the characteristic features of a civilization including its beliefs, its artistic and material products, and it social institutions

Heritage is…. …something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor; legacy; tradition; usually applies to something other than actual property or material things

Multicultural means… ….of, relating to, reflecting, or adapted to diverse cultures.

Therefore, a library that contains a good multicultural collection will be one in which various print and non-print materials of and/or relating to diverse races, cultures, AND heritages is represented.

For example: An young student that is of African descent (race) wants to find out more about a family tradition (heritage) that his family practices. As far as the tradition goes, the student knows what they do, but he doesn’t necessarily understand why his family participates in it. He comes into your library hoping to find some answers. Together the two of you find a book on African American holidays. After reading through the book, the student discovers that the family tradition that his family partakes of every year, called Kwanzaa, is actually a harvest celebration that African American’s celebrate every year in honor of their history, culture, and ancestors. Kwanzaa is also a time in which African American’s affirm their beliefs and values. Even more exciting, the student discovers that Kwanzaa is based on seven principles (one for each day of the celebration), and that these principles are associated with seven symbols derived from African culture (culture).

Now, the student is excited about what he has learned and wants to check out as many books about Kwanzaa as he can.

The question is…. Do you have any for him to check out? If so, how many? One, maybe two? When were they written? Are they current/up-to- date? What other sources do you have for this excited young man to use to learn more about his heritage and culture, and himself?

A library that contains a good multicultural collection recognizes the fact that each student’s culture, race, and/or heritage needs to be EQUALLY represented through print and non-print accessibility.

It is not fair to have multiple copies of the Bible and no copies of The Book of Mormon. Or, to have multiple copies of books about American history (4 th of July) and no books about Cinco De Mayo. For example:

Understandably a library cannot house a zillion copies of every holiday, tradition, etc. That is why it is important to thoroughly evaluate the student body and the classes being taught. Does the history class do a unit over slavery every year? Make sure you have plenty of sources, not just on slavery, but traditions, etc. that derived from slavery, such as Kwanzaa.

Five quick steps for developing a good multicultural collection: 1.Research and evaluate the community that your collection will be serving 2.Assess the multicultural collection that your library already contains and determine what might be needed. 3.Develop a plan and goals for implementing your new collection. 4.Train and educate yourself (and any library aids) so that the collection can be developed and used properly. 5.Start buying! Steps suggested by the Library and Archives Multicultural Toolkit of Canada website

Where can multicultural materials be purchased? Vendors Bookstores Book fairs online

Sources for finding multicultural material: 1.Connecting Cultures: A Guide to Multicultural Literature for Children by Rebecca L. Thomas 2.Guide to Celebration and Holidays Around the World: The Best Books, Media, and Multicultural Learning Activities by Kathryn L. Matthew and Joy L. Lowe 3.Venture into Cultures: A Resource Book of Multicultural Materials and Programs by Carla D. Hayden (editor). 4.Ethnic American Minorities: A Guide to Media and Materials by Harry A. Johnson (editor). 5. Using Multicultural Young Adult Literature by Carlena Haney (Grades 6-12) $ Educators Guide To Free Multicultural Materials by Educators Progress Service Inc - Magazine Subscription - One issue / 12 months, $52.60Educators Guide To Free Multicultural Materials

Sources/Materials cont (Great place to sign up for FREE materials about diversity, multiculturalism, tolerance, etc.) (Good site for accessing lesson plans and activities) –(Good site to help start a multicultural library collection)

Multicultural Materials. Books for All Ages: 1.All the Colors of the Earth by SheilaAll the Colors of the Earth 2. We're Different, We're the Same (by Bobbi Kates and Joe Mathieu 3. The Colors of Us by Karen KatzThe Colors of Us

Media and Educational Realia: 1.Holiday Facts & Fun: Multicultural Christmas (VHS) 2.American Discovery: Reclaiming Our Multicultural Heritage - The Key to the Future (VHS)American Discovery: Reclaiming Our Multicultural Heritage - The Key to the Future 3.Multicultural Understanding (VHS)Multicultural Understanding 4.America’s Multicultural Heritage (DVD)America’s Multicultural Heritage (DVD 5. Learning Resources Multicultural Career Puppets, Set I by Learning Resources Learning Resources Multicultural Career Puppets, Set I 6.Kimbo Multicultural Rhythm Stick Cassette by KimboKimbo Multicultural Rhythm Stick Cassette 7.Crayons, Regular, Multicultural, 8 Colors BIN52008W by Binney & SmithCrayons, Regular, Multicultural, 8 Colors BIN52008W

Sources 1.American Library Association.(2006). Retrieved July 2006 from Library and Archives Canada. (2006).Multicultural Resources and Services. 3.Matthew, K.I, & Lowe, J.L.(2004). Guide to Celebrations and Holidays Around the World: The Best Books, Media, and Multicultural Learning Activities. New York City, New York. Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc 4.Merriam-Wester’s High School Dictionary.(1996). Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 5.The Writing Conference, Inc: 6.

Sources cont. 7. Young Adult Library Services Association. (2003). Professional Development Topics: Multicultural Resources. Retrieved July from 8. Young Adult Library Services Association. (2003). Young Adults Deserve the Best: Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth. Retrieved July 26, 2006 fromhttp://