Support of Ethnic Diversity in Public Libraries

New Zealand is becoming more ethnically diverse and with that diversity comes the need for ensuring that the institutions that serve diverse communities reflect the communities they purport to serve.

What this means is that libraries need to provide services that are responsive to this diversity in terms of the library materials.  As an ardent and committed library user I am impressed with the ways in which the collections of our public libraries reflect these realities.  My impression is that public libraries are trying to do several things:

1. Support the information and leisure needs of an ethnically diverse community, many of whom are new migrants who are finding their feet and adjusting to life in a new country, while others are members of long term settled communities.
2. Making diverse perspectives available to all patrons
3. Acknowledging the right to equal and free access to information and knowledge as part of a democracy with enquiring and enlightened citizens.
4. Acknowledging the role that libraries play in  cultural dissemination, supporting communication skills and participation in social life

Libraries as cultural, educational and informational institutions are uniquely placed to support newcomers to a country through providing resources that support them to participate in the social, economic, political and cultural life of their new homes as well as retain their own cultures.  Libraries through their services fill in settlement and integration “gaps”  by providing information where people can come to find out about their new country.  However, they also go beyond the old models of assimilation by recognising the importance of providing books and media that support people maintain their mother tongue and cultural background.

Ruth DeSouza
Co-Founder of AEN - Aotearoa Ethnic Network