Quality Multicultural Materials

This article discussed the importance of having multicultural materials in every library collection, and what Lincoln, Nebraska did to ensure that they purchased quality titles for their students. The endeavor is titled Mosaic, Multicultural Book Collection and it started out as a small book exhibit and has evolved over the years to remain relevant with new and improved technology. The first major change incorporated QR codes attached to titles that link to book trailers or “snippets of historical videos in hopes of igniting interest and expanding learning.”  Multicultural makerspace materials, audio files of music from all over the world, and virtual reality headsets were also included. The project then further developed to be a virtual display so that anyone can access it at any time: https://lms.lps.libguides.com/MOSAIC2018    The project is committed to using materials that are high quality and do not confirm negative stereotypes. Haeffner & Harvey outline the process of how materials are chosen “many hours of research and consideration are involved in the review process to ensure that titles do not perpetuate stereotypes or misinformation” (p. 19). I love the idea of this resource and can’t wait to use it in my own school library and share it with my colleagues. 

References

Haeffner, C., & Harvey, J. (2019). Mosaic: One district's approach to maximizing use of multicultural collections. Teacher Librarian, 47(1), 18-21. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=140246715&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Accessed March 14, 2020.

The public library as a meeting-place in a multicultural and digital context

This paper was written in the early 2000s, as people’s ideas of the function of the public library was beginning to change. The traditional role of the library is one of research and a collection of books. However, the community is starting to use the public library as a meeting place and a source of multicultural exchange. The public library now offers several services of interest to new immigrants to ease the transition to the United States. Furthermore, the library is a direct link to the immigrant community to their newly chosen community.

This article is a good explanation of how libraries function more broadly within the community. With its “low-intensive” spaces, the library allows multiple groups and organizations to meet and gradual introduce themselves to their new community. Moreover, the increased collection of electronic resources has allowed both digital and physical communities to connect. The modern library functions more as a bridge between people.

Ragnar Audunson, (2005) "The public library as a meeting‐place in a multicultural and digital context: The necessity of low‐intensive meeting‐places", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 61 Issue: 3, pp.429-441, https:// doi.org/10.1108/00220410510598562

Discrimination, Ethnic Identity, and Academic Outcomes of Mexican Immigrant Children

Bradley, Rebecca
INFO 266
Fall 2016


Spears Brown, C., & Chu, H. (2012). Discrimination, ethnic identity, and academic outcomes of Mexican immigrant children: the importance of school context. Child Development, 83(5), 1477-1485.


The authors of this study interviewed 204 first-generation and second-generation Mexican immigrant children in 19 different schools in which the majority of the students were predominantly White to determine how discrimination can diminish ethnic identity and lower academic success. In many previous studies cited in this article, a positive ethnic identity was directly linked to greater school success. According to Fuligni, Witkow, and Garcia (2005), youth with positive regard for their ethnicity had more interest in school and believed they were respected by their teachers. Further research by Richards, Brown, and Forde (2007) shows that teachers who value diversity and who adopt culturally inclusive pedagogy can increase engagement and academic achievement among Latino students. 

In broad terms, the research in this study shows that educators who embrace ethnic diversity and multiculturalism help children develop a more positive self-identity, which ultimately leads to greater academic achievement. Sadly, teachers who discriminate against Latino children or who ignore cultural differences can make these children feel excluded and less valuable. In conclusion, this article echoes many others I have read recently indicating that educators play a crucial role in the development of a child’s self-image, either positive or negative, and his or her future academic success.