Using the School Library/Media Center to Celebrate Diversity of Traditions
Via Bridging Cultures
Madeleine Hoss, Librarian
mmhoss@ilstu.edu
Metcalf Laboratory School
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-7000
(309) 438-2527
"Libraries are truly windows of the world."
INTRODUCTION
The school library is a powerful resource in promoting an understanding of cultural differences and in celebrating diversity in different forms. In response to our ever changing and diverse society, it is important that the school librarian together with classroom and area teachers become effective disseminators of cultural knowledge and values. Collaboration with key people in the school is vital to the success of any library multicultural program. This article describes successful and innovative projects and programs implemented at Metcalf Laboratory School that celebrate diversity and which involve collaboration with classroom teachers, parents, administration, and other community resources. These programs are interdisciplinary and promote inquiry and research among students.
THE PROJECT
The Metcalf library’s focus on multiculturalism began several years ago after the librarian, Ms. Hoss, had a brief encounter with students who were making remarks about her accent. One boy remarked, "I can’t understand what she is saying". She realized then that there is a need to encourage students to understand and respect other cultures. This incident redefined her role as a librarian as she started initiating programs that promoted cultural awareness and cultural acceptance. She incorporated student research, cultural dialogues, and collaboration with classroom teachers in an effort to make this cultural experience part of the curriculum.
Building respect leads to admiration and helps foster friendships. In a global perspective, she feels that friendships between and among cultures help plant the seed of peace. Librarians can contribute to this cause by interjecting multiculturalism into their programming of teaching and research. Culture may be infused and integrated in different subjects with the cooperation of the classroom teacher. Ms. Hoss emphasizes that valuing culture is important because hatred, racism, and stereotyping must stop. Since these have been so deeply rooted in the past, it becomes the responsibility of educators to try and counter these attitudes and replace them with positive ones. Exposing students to different cultures at a young age is also very important. Since children tend to be more open and less biased compared to older people, it is essential that this cultural exposure and awareness be done early on. With the support of the administration, speakers from the community from different ethnic groups have come in to talk about their cultures. This impresses upon children as they hear them speak about their cultural heritage. The library has approximately 32 existing cultural programs and it has, on the average, 2-3 programs per month.
According to Ms. Hoss, these programs were created to celebrate differences in our society by teaching children that "Differences are a cause for celebration not discrimination". Children become more appreciative and more aware of different aspects of diversity by learning to respect others.
COMPONENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LIBRARY MULTICULTURAL PROGRAM
Integration
Multicultural programs are enriching and can be easily integrated into the curriculum in different grade levels. With the participation of the classroom teachers, cultural experiences could be meaningfully integrated into different disciplines.
Teamwork/Collaboration between the School Librarian and Teacher
"Teamwork Brings Results" emphasizes the benefits of collaboration between the librarian and classroom teacher together with community guest speakers from different backgrounds and cultures. Cultural exploration promotes the use of research tools in the library. In this endeavor, both the librarian and the classroom teacher are partners in instruction.
Support
Any multicultural program in order to be successful needs the support of the whole school as well as the community. This includes the administration, staff, teachers, parents, students, and the community members.
Publicity
Public relations begin in the library and in the school. Various multicultural programs at Metcalf School have been publicized in local newspapers and television. The media through radio, television (news), and newspaper articles are effective vehicles in promoting awareness of multicultural programs. Presenting papers at library/teacher conferences is also an effective way in sharing effective multicultural programs in the school. Frequently, guest speakers have appeared on local television and were featured in the campus and local newspapers. Due to the publicity that these programs have generated, other school districts have expressed their desire to emulate the school’s programs. These programs truly brought VISIBILITY to the role of the librarian.
EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL MULTICULTURAL PROGRAMS
The following presentations describe an array of multicultural library/classroom programs that are held throughout the school year. These focus on the study of various ethnic groups, cultures, professions, and celebrations in the United States. These cultural programs have been successfully implemented at the Metcalf Laboratory School. Its success is primarily the result of the collaboration between the librarian and the classroom teacher.
These programs are most effective when the guest speakers are ethnic. Educators will be most fortunate when they are able to locate foreign-born presenters from either the community, neighborhood, friends, or parents. Foreign speakers are the most favorite inexpensive reference tools educators can use. They have proved advantageous to both the curriculum and the library budget.
"We can travel around the world and never leave our school."
Around the World in 30 Minutes
These programs use a combination of ethnic guest speakers and library resources with the assistance of the Teaching Materials Center and its librarian at Illinois State University. Students’ readings and research include the study of the geography of the country, language, people, beliefs, music, food, traditions, celebrations, skills, and tools.
PROGRAMS IN COLLABORATION WITH CLASSROOM/AREA TEACHERS
Passports to See the World (Social Studies Teacher, Grade 5)
United Nations Day (in local television and local newspapers)
Conversations with Famous International Scientists (Science Teacher, Grades 4-8)
Conversations with Famous International Mathematicians (Math Teacher, Grades 4-8)
Celebrating the Hispanic Heritage and Culture (Foreign Language Spanish Teacher, Grades 4-8)
Three Major World Religions/Eastern Religions (A Rabbi, Sheik, and a Catholic priest; were invited as speakers and experts talked on Buddhism, Confucianism, and Hinduism)
Celebrating Afro-American Heritage and Culture (Grades 4-8) (whole school assembly; in local newspapers)
Celebrating the Chinese New Year (in local newspapers)
Achievement of Women - History of Women Month (interviewed by the media)
Celebrating National Library Week (global presenters to promote understanding of cultures)
Celebrating Native Americans
Law Day (in local newspapers)
Librarian’s Ten Commandments for Multiculturalism
IMPACT ON STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF, AND THE COMMUNITY
Multicultural programs implemented by the librarian in collaboration with classroom teachers have a positive impact on students’ attitudes. By breaking down stereotypes and focusing on the accomplishments of a particular culture, students are able to appreciate the contribution that other cultures bring into their school as well as the greater society. In highlighting the positive contributions of cultures, students become more respectful of differences and this enables them to interact with others with less bias and discrimination.
Multicultural programs, in order to be meaningful and effective, cannot happen in isolation. Collaboration between the librarian and the teacher is imperative so that culture could be incorporated into the curriculum and into the classroom.
It is important for librarians to recognize that the librarian's role is versatile and has the greatest potential to positively influence students through their role as an educator. Librarians need to carefully plan programs for children that are interesting and relevant and that they, themselves, can also be entertaining and motivating.
CONCLUSION
The library books and reference materials in the media center will come to life as presenters liven the atmosphere their slides, demonstrations, costumes, music, posters, and language. In addition to opening cultural doors to students and enticing them to enjoy and WANT to read and WANT to research, they have learned to RESPECT, ADMIRE, and befriend people of other nations. They will be well aware of their differences in garment, food, beliefs, traditions, religions, languages, and color, but they SMILE and CRY the same way as they do! Thus, prejudice, hatred, and racism will slowly be erased and FRIENDSHIP takes over – exchange of letters, visits, and travelling will add to the diverse understanding and culture. They will learn to celebrate diversity and NOT DISCRIMINATE. When they respect other cultures, they will learn to respect themselves. What wonderful results those multicultural programs bring to the children, faculty, staff, administration, and community. TRULY, they bring harmony among cultures.
Do you agree that librarians can plant the seed of peace?
TRY IT – YOU CAN DO IT!
This article will be presented at the 27th Annual Conference, International Association of School Librarianship. Ramut-Gan, Israel.
