1
Melvyn Yabut
LIBR 261
Prof. P. Peck
March 9, 2008
Discussion Post: Types of Multicultural Programs
It is always tricky to find the perfect balance of ingredients in coming up with a
multicultural program that would appeal to the whole family (meaning kids from all ages) since
you have to ensure that it will catch and maintain the interest of everyone in the family. You
don't want a program that has the dad so bored that he will step out to talk on his phone or one
where the kids are squirming and doing their own thing thereby disrupting the presentation.
Based from my experience in attending multicultural programs hosted by public libraries, the
following types are usually successful not only in terms of attendance but in maintaining the
interest of everyone:
1. Activity-based multicultural programs - Kids love to be involved and work with their hands
doing crafts and the like. An activity-based multicultural program can keep everyone busy and
focused on the presentation and be active participants. It has the bonus of making the program a
family activity, where each member interact, learn and teach each other in the activity that they
are engage in. Activity-based multicultural programs would also appeal to kinesthetic learners.
These programs can be arts & crafts, food preparation, and dance or exercise. An example of arts
& crafts can be the making of Japanese Noh and Kyogen masks. The parents can assist in cutting
(no scissors for kids!) and guiding their kids in painting and decorating the masks. Another
example will be kite making, which can be a good summer event. Most Asian cultures have
some form of beliefs or tradition involving kite making and flying and that would be a good
source to give the activity its theme.
2
An example of food preparation would be the making of traditional bread products and
the like. Although this type of program will involve more time and effort and can only be done if
the public library have the equipment and space for it. Since most public libraries don't have
ovens and a full-fledged kitchen, the librarian can choose a bread product that can be prepared by
the audience in the library and taken home to be baked later. The kids can help in the mixing of
the ingredients and it will also be a good learning experience for teaching kids about the different
textures of food. Asian countries from China to Vietnam have some form of moon cake that can
be used as a theme for this kind of activity. An example of dance and exercise programs would
be a tai chi session that can be tailored for even young kids (7 y.o. and above). This can be held
in the morning and outdoors and of course in good sunny weather.
2. Entertainment type of multicultural programs - these can be concerts, a dance production, and
the like. Palo Alto City Library System recently hosted two programs that fall under this type of
multicultural program. These were an acrobat show by the Red Panda Acrobats from Shanghai,
China and a concert by the Firebird Chinese Youth Orchestra. These programs were hosted in
celebration of Silicon Valley Reads' book choice for this year, The Distant Land of My Father.
Film showing, to my mind, is not an effective way to do this kind of programming. It is not
original and without any background or discussion afterwards it is dubious if the goals or theme
of the program is being achieved with this kind of activity. It smacks too much of putting the
disc on the player, leaving them for a couple of hours, then it is done. It does not have that visual
impact like a concert or live presentation can have.