Scholarly Review #4: The IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto

This manifesto, endorsed by the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), illustrates how libraries should approach our "increasingly heterogeneous society." Cultural diversity involves harmonious co-existence and interaction of different cultures, and libraries must be able to effectively serve all cultures in the community. The manifesto includes specific ways libraries can do this.

The library is meant to serve all, and to do so in a multicultural community, it must:

• serve all members of the community without discrimination based on cultural and
  linguistic heritage;
• provide information in appropriate languages and scripts;
• give access to a broad range of materials and services reflecting all communities
  and needs;
• employ staff to reflect the diversity of the community, who are trained to work
  with and serve diverse communities.

The library must provide services to all, and also provide specific services targeted towards underserved ethnic groups and cultural minorities.

Linguistic and cultural diversity must be promoted within the library, and in any online domains the library offers as well. Offering the library website in different languages is an example of online linguistic diversity. The library should provide information literacy training in different languages, especially computer classes and classes on using online resources.

For library staff, ongoing training is key to create a welcoming atmosphere for all cultural groups. Learning how to create and market programs for underserved groups is an important skill for librarians in a culturally diverse community.

This manifesto should be read by all librarians, as it points out specific ways to address cultural and linguistic diversity.