LAUC Regional Workshops on Cultural Diversity in Libraries
The Librarians Association of the University of California (LAUC) is aware of the need to adapt our libraries to a student body of increasing cultural diversity. Our members are concerned that libraries must formulate new policies and programs if we are to provide the information environment required to meet changing curriculum programs to educate a student body of diverse backgrounds and interests. Each LAUC Division is currently working to alert its members to the need to change our libraries1 but a means to produce concrete recommendations for change is required. We are thus proposing to hold two regional workshops, one in the North and one in the South, at which members from all LAUC divisions will develop recommendations for new or modified programs or services in the key areas of bibliographic access, collection development, reference service and bibliographic instruction.
Outline of the workshop:
1. Keynote speaker to outline the problems facing our libraries and to address the corresponding needs for staff development.
2. Morning workshop:
Participants will sign up in advance for one of four workshops addressing the issue of how to address new curriculum programs (related to cultural diversity) in these four areas: Bibliographic Access, Bibliographic Instruction, Collection Development, Reference Services. Prior to the meeting, they will receive from the workshop facilitators, background reading and a list of the issues which need to be addressed to adapt the workshops service area to a culturally diverse student body. The morning workshop will be devoted to a discussion of these issues and any others participants wish to consider
3. Lunch
4. Afternoon workshop:
Morning workshops will reconvene after lunch Their charge will now be to develop recommended actions/programs that UC Libraries should take to respond to the issues they raised in the morning
Participants :
Each campus will be able to send up to two individuals to each workshop. In addition, each workshop will have two facilitators, one from the North and one from the South; both facilitators will attend both meetings. Local community colleges and state universities in the immediate geographic area will be invited to send one observer to the workshop.
After the meeting, the facilitators will submit the recommendations of their workshops for approval to the LAUC membership at the next LAUC Assembly
Organizers:
Each LAUC Division will appoint a member to serve on the organizing committee for the workshop; one of these members will be appointed Chair by the LAUC President. Divisions will also be asked to suggest facilitators; the organizing committee will select the facilitators
Facilitator training:
Since the success of these workshops is dependent on the quality of the facilitators, training will be provided. A half day workshop for the facilitators will be held prior to the first workshop It is hoped that these regional workshops will be the first of several series of workshops on issues related to cultural diversity, at which these facilitators can assist.
Budget:
Travel to workshops: facilitators $2000
Room arrangements: two workshops $500
Keynote speaker: travel and honoraria $1000
Travel to workshops: attendees (mileage) $500
Lunch $2000
Printing, mailing $500
Total $6500