The Diversity and the Development of Multicultural Libraries:
An Annotated Bibliography
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
INFO 522: Information Access & Resources
March 13, 2011
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
2
Introduction and Scope
This bibliography covers the development of multicultural libraries. The articles discuss
how libraries can better provide for the information needs of diverse populations. Two articles
discussing multicultural archives are included, as archival work is often charged to libraries as
well, and the consideration of primary multicultural resources is distinct, yet related to the
handling of library resources. The majority of the articles focus on ethnic and racial diversity
and academic and research libraries.
Because cultural issues continually change and evolve it is important to understand
cultural situations within the current social environment. Thus, the articles included were
published from 2000 to 2010. Inclusion of current articles was emphasized to illustrate the
recent research in the area of multicultural information services. The articles were published in
the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. All of these articles were sourced from
library science databases.
Description
The development of multicultural libraries is an important topic as demographics
continue to shift and the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse (Allard, Mehra, &
Qayyum, 2007, p. 5). This diversity includes differences in ethnicity, culture, religion, gender
and experience (Royse, Conner & Miller, 2006, p. 24). As such, libraries are finding ways to
serve the needs of these diverse populations through staffing, services and collection
development (Winston & Li, 2000, p. 205).
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Summary of Findings
Diversity in the staffing and leadership of libraries is a key component in the creation of
multicultural libraries. Leadership diversity has been linked to organizational success (Winston,
2001, p. 517). Though no causal relationship has been established, organizations with greater
diversity have been found to rate higher in indicators of organizational success (Winston, 2001,
p. 524). The activities and programs of the American Library Association’s Office for Diversity
illustrate how increasing diversity within the library profession is considered a high priority
issue (Royse, Conner & Miller, 2006, p. 23). Groups such as the Association of Research
Libraries have implemented a number of strategies to recruit research librarians which reflect
the diversity of the U.S. population (Dewey, 2009, p.356). Diversity, which including within the
profession, is also one of the three strategic goals of the Society of American Archivists for 2010
to 2013 (Daniel, 2010, p. 83).
Climate assessments have been made by libraries to understand the current state of
diversity, and to help support future initiatives to develop greater staffing diversity (Royse,
Conner & Miller, 2006, p.23). Efforts have also been made to recruit library and information
students from diverse multicultural populations in order to create a more diverse pool of library
applicants (Jaeger & Franklin, 2007, p. 20). Jaeger and Franklin state that the creation of a
diverse pool of qualified library applicants can be bolstered by increasing the diversity of library
and information science school faculty (2007). This increased diversity among LIS faculty
further helps to enrich the educational experience and multicultural understanding of students
from all backgrounds (Jaeger & Franklin, 2007, p. 22).
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Along with leadership diversity, the development of multicultural libraries includes the
implementation of outreach services and programs (Maxey-Harris, 2010, p.65). Much of the
research in this area focuses on service to ethnic minorities and biases in the services provided.
Research has shown that programs and services to serve diverse populations can be developed
effectively if library leadership is able to “recognize key tenets of intercultural communication
and the implications for information provision” (Allard, Mehra & Qayyum, 2007, p. 6). Tao’s
study of bibliographic instruction reveals the importance of assessing multicultural populations,
in order to understand possible points of conflict and how to communicate effectively with
diverse populations (2005, p. 34). The study of reference services to international students by
Curry and Copeman also illustrates that in developing multicultural libraries, training in crosscultural communication can be beneficial (2005). Furthermore, services such as e-mail
reference, should be carefully considered and monitored as these relatively new services can
actually be delivered with a cultural bias and therefore undermine library efforts towards
diversity (Shachaf & Horowitz, 2006, p.502).
Collaboration is also important in providing multicultural library services. Creating
partnerships with diverse community groups, agencies, and individuals can help with the
assessment and evaluation of library services (Allard, Mehra & Qayyum, 2007, p. 10). Working
with multicultural student organizations at the academic level aids libraries in better serving
minority groups and opening the channels of communication with underserved student
populations (Love, 2007,p.17). Community collaboration also helps to increase the access
multicultural groups have to information about their own culture as represented in information
resources, such as archives (Shilton & Srinivasan, 2007).
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The development of multicultural collections is another area of focus as libraries address
the issue of diversity. Collections are important because “access to primary and secondary
resources and the preservation of information in print and digital formats” which reflect diverse
cultural interests allow for the further understanding of our multicultural society (Welburn,
2010, p. 358). However, selecting the resources to represent multicultural groups, as well as
the resources to meet the information needs of these diverse groups can be challenging.
Multicultural materials span many disciplines, and it can thus be difficult to evaluate the
development of multicultural collections (Maxey-Harris, 2010, p.66). Yet, assessment of
collections for diversity is an important preliminary step in building multicultural libraries (Gray,
2002). Agosto describes accuracy, expertise, respect, purpose and quality as five criteria for
evaluating the quality of multicultural resources in collection development (2007, p.28). Along
with these considerations, input from diverse groups is an important part of building
multicultural collections (Gray, 2002). The participation of underrepresented cultural groups in
the development of collections, including multicultural archives, helps in the creation of
representative quality multicultural collections (Shilton & Srinivasan, 2007). It is likely that a
cultural group will choose to use an information resources if they participated in the
development of the collection.
The types of information included in multicultural collections is also important to
consider. Materials in the audiovisual format may be especially valuable as a resource for
people from cultures whose communication is rooted in oral and visual traditions (Gray, 2002).
The appraisal and arrangement of primary information sources, as with archives, must also be
sensitive to the multicultural groups which they represent (Shilton & Srinivasan, 2007). Also, as
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
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electronic resources become more prevalent it has also become imperative to ensure diversity
in collection development of electronic resources (Maxey-Harris, 2010). Young also argues that
the internet should be used as a primary method for delivering diverse collections and reaching
diverse audiences (2006, p.371).
The research shows that much can still be done to create truly multicultural libraries
which reflect the diverse communities which they serve. It can be concluded that the
development of multicultural libraries is a continual process, and an important issue for
libraries. Research relating to the development of diverse multicultural libraries through
recruiting and retaining diverse information professionals, services and collection development
continues to grow. However, more research can be done, especially in regards to multicultural
groups identified based on characteristics other than ethnicity, such as sexual orientation,
disability, and gender. Continued assessment and development of diversity initiatives will help
to guide libraries in the development of multicultural libraries.
Bibliography
Entry 1:
Agosto, D. E. (2007). Building a multicultural school library: Issues and challenges. Teacher
Librarian, 34(3), 27-31
Abstract: “This article discusses the collection of multicultural resources as a form of student
advocacy and the ways in which students can benefit from a diverse school library collection. It
presents five criteria to use when evaluating multicultural resources: accuracy, expertise,
respect, purpose and quality. The article concludes with a discussion of recommended
resources for building diverse library collections and a list of methods for integrating
multicultural library resources into the school library curriculum.”
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
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Annotation: This article helps in understanding reasons for creating multicultural school media
libraries by outlining its benefits and providing examples of relevant multicultural resources.
The criteria for identifying a multicultural resources created by the author is a helpful tool for
school media librarians.
Search Strategy:
I selected WorldCat because FirstSearch allows for searching of
holdings catalog by OCLC member libraries. I found this article in
WilsonSelectPlus which provides full-text articles in science,
humanities, education and business, and it includes United States and
international academic journals. I chose to search using keywords
because this was an initial search.
Database:
WilsonSelectPlus [WorldCat]
Method of Searching:
Keyword searching
Search String:
ke: multiculturalism AND ke: libraries
Scholarly/Refereed Status: I located the article with the above method, and viewed the
detailed record which lists this Teacher Librarian as peer-reviewed.
It is also listed in Ulrich’s International Periodical Directory as a
refereed journal. Furthermore, at the end of the article, it states
that featured articles such as this one are blind-refereed.
Entry 2:
Allard, S., Mehra. B., & Qayyum, M. A.(2007). Intercultural leadership toolkit for librarians:
Building awareness to effectively serve diverse multicultural populations. Education
Libraries, 30(1), 5-12.
Abstract: “This paper presents five tools for librarians to use in building effective intercultural
communication that reaches out to diverse populations. Librarians can more successfully cross
intercultural boundaries if they are aware of the key tenets of intercultural communication and
information provision, and then apply the five leadership tools in extending traditional
information creation-organization-dissemination processes. The five tools are derived from an
extensive literature review and from findings from seminar discussions with library and
information science students.”
Annotation: This article is important because it presents methods information professionals can
utilize to provide meaningful service to multicultural populations based on three perspectives of
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
8
cultural understanding. Some generalizations of cultures are made in this article and should be
carefully considered. The described methods can be used to by readers to form their own
understanding of cultures.
Search Strategy:
I selected WorldCat because FirstSearch allows for searching of
holdings catalog by OCLC member libraries. I found this article in
WilsonSelectPlus which provides full-text articles in science,
humanities, education and business, and it includes United States and
international academic journals. I chose to search using keywords
because this was an initial search.
Database:
WilsonSelectPlus [WorldCat]
Method of Searching:
Keyword searching
Search String:
ke: multiculturalism AND ke: libraries
Scholarly/Refereed Status: I located the article with the above method, and viewed the
detailed record which lists this journal as peer-reviewed.
Additionally, according to the Special Libraries Association website,
it is “an electronic, refereed journal of the Education Division of the
Special Libraries Association (SLA).”
Entry 3:
Curry, A. & Copeman, D. (2005). Reference service to international students: A field
stimulation research study. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 31(5), 409-420.
Abstract: “This study analyzed checklist and narrative reports from twenty reference
interactions initiated in eleven Greater Vancouver colleges/universities by a proxy with heavily
accented English. The results showed that librarians were generally sensitive to the language
barrier, but they failed to ask enough questions and rushed the interaction to premature
closure.”
Annotation: The research covered in this article provides insight into the reference service
experienced at academic libraries by international students who are non-native English speakers.
The findings can be useful in understanding biases in reference services when working with
diverse populations. It should be noted that the study was limited to a specific geographic area,
the methodology used was field stimulation, and it follows the experience of just one user.
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
Search Strategy:
9
I used the WorldCat Subject Headings to determine the controlled
vocabulary related to my topic. I decided to browse the subject
heading, “libraries.” Under this subject heading I found that there was
no subject heading for multicultural libraries, but there were narrower
subject headings for various minority groups and libraries. I decided to
expand the “Afro-Americans and libraries” subject heading. This
revealed the broader subject heading of “Libraries and minorities.” I
decided to use this controlled vocabulary in a subject search of
WilsonSelectPlus.
Database:
WilsonSelectPlus [WorldCat]
Method of Searching:
Subject searching using controlled vocabulary
Search String:
su: libraries AND su: minorities
Scholarly/Refereed Status: After locating the article through the above steps, and viewing a
detailed record, this journal is listed as peer-reviewed. Additionally,
the journal’s publisher’s website states that the journal is refereed.
Entry 4:
Dominique, D. (2010). Documenting the immigrant and ethnic Experience in American archives.
The American Archivist, 73(1). 82-104.
Abstract: “This paper examines the development of ethnic and immigrant archives in the United
States since the 1960s. It focuses on the dramatic evolution of ‘ethnic archiving’—the processes
and objectives involved in documenting the immigrant and ethnic experience—and shows how
cultural minorities evolved from an object or theme of archival collections to active participants
in the creation, appraisal, description, and use of their own archives. A number of factors made
this evolution possible: a new political context increasingly responsive to minority rights and
cultural diversity, rising interest in social history, and the influence of postmodernist thought on
archival theory. New digital technologies have also facilitated the expression and archiving of
ethnic voices.”
Annotation: This descriptive article illustrates the challenges of developing multicultural
archives, ethnic and immigrant archives in particular. The consideration of the various theories of
ethnic archiving which have been developed since the 1960s provides a broad understanding of
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
10
how ethnic archives have developed and how they may be developed in the future to better
reflect and serve multicultural society.
Search Strategy:
After reviewing the content of the articles located with more general
search terms on my topic, I decided to see what I could find by
narrowing my topic. I decided to search Library Literature and
Information Science Full Text (LIST) using a keyword search limited to
peer reviewed journals. I chose LIST because it contains full text
articles from library and information science journals.
Database:
Library Literature and Information Science Full Text (LIST)
Method of Searching:
Keyword searching
Search String:
diversity <in> Keyword AND (collection development) <in> Keyword
AND
Limited to: PEER_REVIEWED
Scholarly/Refereed Status: This article was located by limiting my search to peer-reviewed
journals in LIST. The journal’s website also states, “It is a refereed
journal.”
Entry 5:
Dewey, B. I. (2009). The imperative for diversity: ARL’s progress and Role. Portal: Libraries
and the Academy, 9 (3). 355-361.
Abstract: “The Association of Research Libraries’ diversity initiatives, under the leadership of
Duane Webster and member libraries, have had a visible and long-lasting influence on the
makeup of academic librarianship. ARL’s accomplishments and progress in advancing diversity
comprise important milestones for librarianship and did not come without discussion and, at
times lively debate. Ultimately, the conversations about diversity in higher education and
research libraries continue to encompass a broad range of diversity-related initiatives infused
into the culture of libraries, research, teaching and learning.”
Annotation: This article is unique in that it offers insight into the development of diversity
initiatives within the professional library community, and the Association of Research Libraries
(ARL) in particular. Considering this overview of the diversity programs set for the by the ARL is
helpful in understanding how professional organizations contribute to the development of
multicultural libraries within their respective fields.
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
11
Search Strategy: I searched using Dialog’s INFOSCI category because it contains files of interest
in the field of library and information science. After conducting a broader search of Dialog, I
decided to narrow my search terms in order to reduce the amount of results I had yielded with
my broader search. So, I searched using a keyword search with just two terms to create a short
list of relevant articles.
Database:
INFOSCI [Dialog]
Method of Searching:
Keyword searching
Search String:
s librar?()divers?
Scholarly/Refereed Status: After locating this article, I found it listed in Ulrich’s International
Periodical Directory as a scholarly and refereed journal. The
journal’s website also states that it contains peer-reviewed articles.
Entry 6:
Gray, S. A. & Abaid, T. L. (2002). Building a multicultural media collection. MC Journal: The
Journal of Academic Media Librarianship, 8 (2), 1-7.
Abstract: “This paper introduces a philosophical framework for cultural diversity in academic
and public library collections followed by a practical approach to collection development for
library media collections. It investigates issues related to identifying, evaluating, and acquiring
audiovisual resources that accurately portray people from a variety of racial and ethnic
backgrounds. Practical information such as sources for selection, sources of reviews, promotion
of multicultural collections, current awareness strategies for identifying new resources, and
listings of relevant catalogs and Web sites are discussed.”
Annotation: This article is important because it covers the issue of developing multicultural
audiovisual collections as it pertains to public and academic libraries. This article is especially
helpful because the authors explain why media collections are important when serving diverse
communities.
Search Strategy: I decided to search Library Literature and Information Science Full Text (LIST)
using a keyword search limited to peer reviewed journals. I chose LIST
because it contains full text articles from library and information science
journals. I decided used a keyword search after searching the terms using a
subject search yielded no results.
Database: Library Literature and Information Science Full Text (LIST)
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
12
Method of Searching: Keyword searching
Search String:
(multicultural collections) <in> Keyword AND
Limited to: PEER_REVIEWED
Scholarly/refereed status: I limited my search to peer-reviewed journals. So, this journal is
listed in LIST as peer-reviewed. The journal’s website also states that it is a
peer-reviewed electronic journal. It is also listed in Ulrich’s International
Periodical Directory as a refereed journal.
Entry 7:
Jaeger, P.T. & Franklin, R.E. (2007). The virtuous circle: Increasing diversity in LIS faculties to
create more inclusive library services and outreach. Education Libraries, 30(1), 20-26.
Abstract: “While increasing the diversity of the library profession has been a long-running
concern of Library and Information Science (LIS), the diversity of LIS doctoral students and
faculties has received far less attention. This paper argues that libraries will be best equipped
to provide inclusive services and outreach to diverse populations when LIS doctoral students
and faculties better reflect the diversity of the United States population. After a brief overview
of efforts to diversify LIS, this paper examines the current state of faculty diversity. The concept
of a ‘virtuous circle’ is then introduced, examining the ways in which an increase in faculty
diversity can ultimately lead to more culturally aware LIS graduates whose education will
prepare them to help libraries provide inclusive services and outreach to diverse communities
of patrons. The paper then discusses ways that LIS programs and LIS research can work to
create this virtuous circle to promote diversity and inclusiveness in LIS.”
Annotation: This article is significant in that it considers the diversity of library and
information science school faculty as an important component in the eventual ability of
libraries to eventually create inclusive multicultural services. The ‘virtuous circle’ is a helpful
illustration of how faculty diversity is likely to lead to inclusive library services.
Search Strategy:
I selected WorldCat because FirstSearch allows for searching of
holdings catalog by OCLC member libraries. I found this article in
WilsonSelectPlus which provides full-text articles in science,
humanities, education and business, and it includes United States and
international academic journals. I chose to search using keywords
because this was an initial search.
Database:
WilsonSelectPlus [WorldCat]
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
13
Method of Searching:
Keyword searching
Search String:
ke: multiculturalism AND ke: libraries
Scholarly/Refereed Status: I located the article with the above method, and viewed the
detailed record which lists this journal as peer-reviewed.
Additionally, according to the Special Libraries Association website,
it is “an electronic, refereed journal of the Education Division of the
Special Libraries Association (SLA).”
Entry 8:
Love, E. (2007). Building bridges: Cultivating partnerships between libraries and minority
student services. Education Libraries, 30 (1), 13-19.
Abstract: “The educational barriers and technological divisiveness that minorities encounter
combined with the cultural shift in population help to highlight the importance and the
necessity for libraries to implement proactive initiatives in reaching out to their under-served
constituents. This essay will examine the current literature on multicultural outreach and the
array of current multicultural programming across the United States and will discuss potential
collaborative partnerships as well as methods on how-to cultivate effective and lasting
relationships with student services organizations.”
Annotation: This article examines the collaboration of academic libraries and multicultural
student service groups, which is an under-explored area of multicultural library outreach, and
also received little attention from researchers. An especially useful part of this article is a guide
to assist academic libraries in cultivating partnerships with multicultural student services
groups.
Search Strategy: I decided to search Library Literature and Information Science Full Text (LIST)
using a keyword search limited to peer reviewed journals. I chose LIST
because it contains full text articles from library and information science
journals. I decided used a keyword search after performing a similar search
in WilsonSelectPlus.
Database: Library Literature and Information Science Full Text (LIST)
Method of Searching: Keyword searching
Search String: multiculturalism <in> Keyword AND libraries <in> Keyword AND
Limited to: PEER_REVIEWED
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
14
Scholarly/Refereed Status: According to LIST this is a peer-reviewed journal. Additionally,
according to the Special Libraries Association website, it is “an electronic,
refereed journal of the Education Division of the Special Libraries
Association (SLA).”
Entry 9:
Maxey-Harris, C. (2010). Multicultural e-resources: An explanatory study of resources held by
ARL libraries. Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian, 29(1), 65-80.
Abstract: “The purpose of this study was to discover what libraries belonging to the
Association of Research Libraries are subscribing to in support of multicultural and diversity
research. A list of bibliographic and digital collections was created and searched for in the
online public access catalogs of academic and research libraries in 2005 and 2008. A list of
recommended e-resources was derived based on the ownership of Association of Research
Libraries member libraries and Magazine for Libraries 2006 and 2009. During the three-year
interval there was a 45.8 percent increase in subscriptions to the multicultural and diversity
databases.”
Annotation: This study is useful because it considers whether diversity initiatives are having
positive effects on multicultural collection development. The study’s focus on electronic
resources is especially unique as few studies are available on multicultural electronic resources.
Search Strategy:
This article was found by doing a keyword search in INFOSCI on
Dialog. I chose to search this database for its focus on information
related to library and information science. This was my very first
search on this topic. So, I decided to use keyword searching and keep
my search terms quite broad because I wanted to see what
information was available on the broader topic of multicultural
libraries and archives.
Database:
INFOSCI [Dialog]
Method of Searching:
Keyword searching
Search String: s ((MULTICULTURAL?) OR DIVERSE()CULTUR?) AND (LIBRAR? OR ARCHIV?)
Scholarly/Refereed Status: This journal is listed as refereed in Ulrich’s International Periodical
Directory. The journal’s website also states that it is a peerreviewed journal.
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
15
Entry 10:
Royse, M., Conner, T., Miller, T. (2006). Charting a course for diversity: An experience in climate
assessment. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 6(1), 23-45.
Abstract: “The University of Tennessee Libraries’ Diversity Committee administered a climate
assessment survey to determine the readiness of the libraries for a comprehensive diversity
initiative. This article discusses the design and methodology of the survey and analyzes the
results. The survey served as a valuable starting point in charting a successful inclusive future for
the libraries and provided the libraries with benchmarks for measuring the progress and success
of its diversity programs. The survey project continues to guide the committee in its planning and
contributes to other library diversity climate assessment efforts, a few of which are being
reported.”
Annotation: This article reviews the climate assessment carried out by the University of
Tennessee Libraries’ Diversity Committee as they began their development of a diversity
initiative. Similar design and methodology can be used by other libraries to understand their
current diversity climate and what needs to be improved upon and how in regards to staffing,
collections and services.
Search Strategy: I searched using Dialog’s INFOSCI category because it contains files of interest
in the field of library and information science. After conducting a broader
search of Dialog, I decided to narrow my search terms in order to reduce the
amount of results I had yielded with my broader search. So, I searched using a
keyword search with just two terms to create a short list of relevant articles.
Database: INFOSCI [Dialog]
Method of Searching: Keyword searching
Search String:
s librar?()divers?
Scholarly/Refereed Status: After locating this article, I found it listed in Ulrich’s International
Periodical Directory as a scholarly and refereed journal. The
journal’s website also states that it contains peer-reviewed articles.
Entry 11:
Shachaf, P. & Horowitz, S. (2006). Are virtual reference services color blind? Library and
Information Science Research, 28(4), 501-520.
Abstract: “This study reports an experiment that examines whether librarians provide equitable
virtual reference services to diverse user groups. The relative absence of social cues in the virtual
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
16
environment may mean greater equality of services though at the same time greater inequalities
may arise as librarians can become less self-aware online. Findings indicate that the quality of
service librarians provide to African Americans and Arabs is lower than the quality of service they
provide to Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, and Jewish students. This study adds to the knowledge of
subjective bias in the virtual environment by specifying those that are discriminated against
online, identifying the kinds of discriminatory actions of virtual reference librarians, and
identifying the type of queries that more frequently result in unbiased service.”
Annotation: This article is unique in that it focuses on the effect virtual reference services have
on culturally based biases. The article’s list of ways in which the equality of virtual reference
services to can be improved by libraries is especially useful in the development of multicultural
library services. It should be noted that the sample size in this study is not large enough to make
broad generalizations about the cultural biases of virtual reference services.
Search Strategy: I decided to use Dialog’s INFOSCI category to see what articles I could locate on
libraries, diversity and education. I chose INFOSCI because it contains a wealth
of articles from different databases related to library and information science.
I chose a keyword search because to search broadly, and would have limited
my search further, if I had gotten a very large amount of results.
Database: INFOSCI [Dialog]
Method of Searching: Keyword searching
Search String: s LIBR?()DIVERS? AND EDUCAT?
Scholarly/Refereed Status: Library and Information Science Research is listed as a peerreviewed journal in Library Literature and Information Sciences Full
Text (LIST) where I located the full-text version of this article. The
journal is also listed as refereed in Ulrich’s International Periodical
Directory. The journal’s website also states that it is refereed.
Entry 12:
Shilton, K. & Srinivasan, R. (2007) Participatory appraisal and arrangement for multicultural
archival collections. Archivaria, 63(1), 87-101.
Abstract: “Archival theory has a long history of utilizing principles designed to preserve
contextual value in records. We believe that traditional practices of appraisal, arrangement,
and description can be rearticulated as participatory, community-oriented processes. This can
enable context to be represented meaningfully in archives of traditionally marginalized
communities. We believe this process can help build culturally relevant records repositories
while enabling marginalized communities to share their experiences with a wider public. By
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
17
broadening their traditional tools to actively engage marginalized communities in the
preservation process, archivists can preserve local knowledge and create representative,
empowered archives.
Sources of power are derived from the capacity of cultural institutions to classify and define
peoples and societies. This is the power to represent: to reproduce structures of belief and
experience through which cultural differences are understood.”
Annotation: This article is unique in that it outlines a method with which to create
representative archival collections of traditionally marginalized multicultural groups. This
article is helpful in understanding how to expand traditional archival appraisal methods to
include the participation of multicultural groups in order to better serve and represent the
groups in the archives setting.
Search Strategy: As I read “Documenting the Immigrant and Ethnic Experience in American
Archives,” by Dominique Daniel, the information the author quoted by
Shilton and Srinivasan seemed like it would be useful to include in the
bibliography. After finding the citation in Daniel’s article, I searched the
Library Literature and Information Science Full Text (LIST) using a title search.
I chose LIST because it contains full text articles from library and information
science journals.
Database:
N/A
Method of Searching: Footnote chasing
Search String: Referenced in:
Dominique, D. (2010). Documenting the immigrant and ethnic Experience in American archives.
The American Archivist, 73(1). 82-104.
Scholarly/Refereed Status: This article was located in LIST and listed as peer-reviewed. It is
also listed as refereed in Ulrich’s International Periodical
Directory. Archivaria’s website states that it is a fully refereed
journal.
Entry 13:
Tao, D. (2005). Bibliographic instruction for a diverse population: Understanding, planning,
and teaching in the twenty-first century. Art Documentation, 24(1), 29-37.
Abstract: “Presents a bibliographic instruction for a diverse population of architecture
students in the U.S. in the twenty-first century. Informational goals for students; Strategies for
teaching students; Diversity of students in the country.”
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
18
Annotation: This article provides insight into providing bibliographic instruction to diverse
multicultural groups. The article’s focus on library services to college-level multicultural
architectural design students makes it unique as there is not much literature on this specific
issue.
Search Strategy:
Database:
I used the WorldCat Subject Headings to determine the controlled
vocabulary related to my topic. I decided to browse the subject
heading, “libraries.” Under this subject heading I found that there was
no subject heading for multicultural libraries, but there were narrower
subject headings for various minority groups and libraries. I decided to
expand the “Afro-Americans and libraries” subject heading. This
revealed the broader subject heading of “Libraries and minorities.” I
decided to use this controlled vocabulary in a subject search of
WilsonSelectPlus.
WilsonSelectPlus [WorldCat]
Method of searching: Subject searching
Search String: su: libraries and su: minorities
Scholarly/Refereed Status: WilsonSelectPlus lists this journal as peer-reviewed. Art
Documentation is also listed in Ulrich’s International Periodical
Directory as refereed.
Entry 14:
Welburn, W.C. (2010). Creating inclusive communities: Diversity and the responses of
academic libraries. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 10(3), 355-363.
Abstract: “This article discusses how college libraries responded to the call of eliminating
discrimination and social inequality in campuses where students of color are present. In the
late 1960s, many college and university libraries responded to student and faculty demands to
broaden the curriculum and opportunities for scholarship by aggressively evaluating and
strengthening collections. These initiatives often addressed perceived gaps in collections or
corresponded with new program initiatives in race, ethnic and gender studies and revisions to
the canons of traditional disciplines. Today, access to primary and secondary resources and the
preservation of information in print and digital formats constitute a significant advancement in
prospects for libraries to shape their responses to campus diversity initiatives. Access to and
preservation of resources that document diverse cultures and communities have created many
openings for new streams of scholarship, reflecting interests in race and ethnicity, gender and
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
19
women’s issues, LGBT studies, studies of the cultures of disability and groundbreaking studies
of migration and diasporas. The evolution of support to students remains one of the
remarkable changes in library practices during the past 40 years.”
Annotation: This article is useful in that it traces the effect of diversity initiatives on academic
libraries and their effect on transforming higher education and service to diverse student
populations beginning in the 1960s. This is helpful in understanding what progress has been
made in regards to the development of multicultural academic libraries and what must be done
in the future to continue that progress.
Search Strategy:
This article was found by doing a keyword search in INFOSCI on
Dialog. I chose to search this database for its focus on information
related to library and information science. This was my very first
search on this topic. So, I decided to use keyword searching and keep
my search terms quite broad because I wanted to see what
information was available on the broader topic of multicultural
libraries and archives.
Database:
INFOSCI [Dialog]
Method of Searching:
Keyword searching
Search String: s ((MULTICULTURAL?) OR DIVERSE()CULTUR?) AND (LIBRAR? OR ARCHIV?)
Scholarly/Refereed Status: After locating this article, I found it listed in Ulrich’s International
Periodical Directory as a scholarly and refereed journal. The
journal’s website also states that it contains peer-reviewed articles.
Entry 15:
Winston, M.D. (2001). The importance of leadership diversity: The relationship between
diversity and organizational success in the academic environment. College and Research
Libraries, 62(6), 517-526.
Abstract: “In the academic community, efforts to foster diversity are generally supported by a
rationale that relates to equity and changing societal demographics. Private sector research,
however, indicates support for a rationale relating to overall organizational success. Such
research forms the basis for the consideration of the relationship between diversity and
organizational success in the academic environment. In addition, the research provides
evidence that diversity continues to be valued in the private sector, which employs many of the
graduates whose academic preparation is supported by the college or university library. This
article presents the results of a research study involving diversity and organizational success in
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
20
the academic environment. The results provide evidence that there is a relationship between
diversity and organizational success and offers further support for the results of the prior
research in this area, as well as offering data to enhance the rationale for the support of
diversity efforts in the academic library community.”
Annotation: This article adds to the existing knowledge of a relationship between diversity
and organizational success as it applies to academic libraries. It should be noted that this
research shows a relationship between, but does not support a causal relationship between
increased diversity and increased organizational success.
Search Strategy: I selected WorldCat because FirstSearch allows for searching of holdings catalog by
OCLC member libraries. I found this article in WilsonSelectPlus which provides fulltext articles in science, humanities, education and business, and it includes United
States and international academic journals. I chose to search using keywords
because this was an initial search.
Database:
WilsonSelectPlus [WorldCat]
Method of Searching: Keyword searching
Search String:
ke: multiculturalism AND ke: libraries
Scholarly/Refereed Status: This article is listed as peer-reviewed in LIST. It is also listed as
refereed by Ulrich’s International Periodical Directory.
Entry 16:
Winston, M. D. & Li, H. (2000). Managing diversity in liberal arts college libraries. College and
Research Libraries, 61(3), 205-215.
Abstract: “Although fostering diversity has been identified as a priority in librarianship, the
evidence suggests that the majority of the programmes related to diversity in academic
libraries have been implemented in large, research university libraries. Reports results of a
study the liberal arts college libraries in the USA in which data were gathered with regard to
programmes related to diversity awareness, staffing, information services and library
collections. Although the level of diversity-related activities in liberal arts college libraries has
not been overwhelming, the evidence suggests that activities and programmes related to
diversity have been undertaken in some instances. In addition, the support of college
administrators appears to be particularly important in encouraging these activities.”
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
21
Annotation: The research on the implementation of diversity activities at liberal arts college
libraries covered in this article is significant because studies on diversity within liberal arts
college libraries has been limited. The data tables on various aspects of diversity programs
implemented by academic libraries is useful in understanding efforts academic libraries make to
address diversity issues.
Search Strategy: After having done multiple searches, and scanning of articles, I noticed that
Mark D. Winston had authored a number of articles concerning multicultural libraries and
diversity. So, I decided to use Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) to do an author
search for articles he had written. I chose LISA because it provides a quick look at abstracts to
articles concerning library and information science.
Database: Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA)
Method of Searching: Author searching
Search String: <Winston, M.D.> in Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA)
Scholarly/Refereed Status: This journal is located under the “Peer-Reviewed Journals” tab on
LISA. It is also listed as a refereed journal in Ulrich’s International
Periodical Directory.
Entry 17:
Young, C. L. (2006). Collection development and diversity on CIC academic library web sites.
The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 32 (4), 370-376.
Abstract: “CIC library Web sites were examined to determine how diversity related to
collections was represented. As diversity in collection development is frequently highlighted by
broader diversity initiatives, other diversity pages on these sites were explored as well. In the
majority of cases, neither diversity collection development nor diversity was represented under
a particular heading or site. Recommendations are made for incorporating diversity collections
and diversity information on the Web.”
Annotation: This article examines how information on diversity issues are communicated to
the public by Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) academic library websites. The
recommendations the author provides for the incorporation of diversity issues into library
websites and the development of diverse collections are useful.
Search Strategy:
I selected WorldCat because FirstSearch allows for searching of holdings
catalog by OCLC member libraries. I found this article in WilsonSelectPlus
which provides full-text articles in science, humanities, education and
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
22
business, and it includes United States and international academic journals.
I chose to search using keywords because this was an initial search.
Method of Searching: Keyword searching
Search String: ke: multiculturalism AND ke: libraries
Scholarly/Refereed Status: The website for The Journal of Academic Librarianship states that
it is a refereed journal. It is also listed as a peer-reviewed journal
in WilsonSelectPlus.
Conclusion and Personal Statement
This project was a very multi-faceted learning experience for me. I learned a great deal
about information structure, searching, and creating an annotated bibliography. This new
knowledge has added to my skill set as an information professional. In creating the annotated
bibliography I also learned a great deal about my topic of diversity and multicultural libraries.
In locating the articles included in this bibliography, I learned a lot about databases and
how they are structured. I was surprised at how, towards the end of this project, I was able to
consider what necessary information I needed, and decide which database would probably
have what sought, or even which database would be easier to search than another. My
knowledge of these databases is definitely at the novice level, but I can definitely see that with
continued use I will become even more adept at navigating databases.
The knowledge I gained through my various searches is also invaluable. I recall
searching for information on the topic of multicultural libraries prior to this class and being
disappointed in my lack of useful results. However, now with the proper search terms and
methods I was able to a number of relevant articles, and as the project progressed, I continued
to hone my skills and find even more specific information. Even now in doing an overview of
my findings, I am able to formulate search strings which I would use to find even more
information.
Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman
23
This project was also my introduction to annotated bibliographies. The creation of the
annotated bibliography was an activity with which I became more comfortable as the project
progressed. I can see how the creation of an annotated bibliography could aid a researcher in
quickly locating relevant information. I know that I read through at least thirty articles, and
probably four as many abstracts just to determine my short bibliography list.
Finally, I learned about how libraries are addressing diversity issues and developing
multicultural libraries. Some of the research and statistics about how various culture groups
were represented were shocking, and I see that much is yet to be done in regards to developing
multicultural libraries. My interest has been piqued, and I look forward to my future study on
the topic.
I certify that:



This assignment is entirely my own work.
I have not quoted the words of any other person from a printed source or website without
indicating what has been quoted and providing an appropriate citation.
I have not submitted this assignment to satisfy the requirements of any other course.
Signature
Date
__________Veda Tulasi Darby Soberman________________
______March 13, 2011__________________