Birdi, B., Wilson, K. and Mansoor, S. (2012) 'What we should strive for is Britishness': an attitudinal investigation of ethnic diversity and the public library. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 44 (2). pp. 118-128.
Abstract
This paper considers the role of the public library in ameliorating relations between communities, and the appropriateness of a multicultural or assimilationist approach via which to deliver socially inclusive services. Qualitative findings from two inductive studies, each of which focused on different aspects of the capacity of public library staff to deliver culturally inclusive services, are analysed in relation to concepts such as social capital, cultural and ethnic diversity, institutional racism and cultural awareness. The paper focuses on staffing issues and on the provision of the ‘multicultural text’. It is concluded that recruitment strategies are slow to address the homogeneity of the current library workforce, and that a revised approach to recruitment and subsequent training should be made. Furthermore, it is suggested that a community-wide exposure to materials about other ethnic cultures can contribute to the reduction of existing social fragmentation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2011 SAGE Publications. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Assimilation; Cultural diversity; Intercultural; Multicultural; Public library; Social capital |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 02 Apr 2014 15:07 |
Last Modified: | 02 Apr 2014 15:20 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0961000611426299 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/0961000611426299 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:78368 |