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Section on Library Services to Multicultural Populations

Medium Term Programme 1998-2001

Scope statement

The Section brings together libraries and institutions interested in the development and availability of library services designed to meet the needs of cultural and linguistic minorities.

The Section is striving to share its experience in library services to multicultural populations in view of the necessity to ensure that every member in our global society has access to a full range of library and information services. In order to achieve this, it promotes international cooperation in this field.

Goals, 1998-2001 - Action Plans, 2000-2001

Goal 1

Promote the idea of diversity by making information available on library provision, practice and materials in all formats for linguistic and cultural minorities for librarians planning and carrying out the provision of such services.
Action:
1.1 Translate, publish and disseminate the section's guidelines. It exists already in english, french, russian. Next language will be spanish and german.
1.2 Up-date section's leaflet.

Goal 2

Work towards the integration of multicultural and multilingual services into the general management of libraries. Combat racism among library workers and management, and promote an enlightened approach to racial matters in the library services.
Action:
2.1 Organize a satellite meeting joint with section on libraries for children and young adults with that theme : "Multicultural services for children and young adults" in anticipation of the Jerusalem Conference 2000.

Goal 3

Promote the application of library services to multicultural populations through IFLA programmes and in research projects.
Action:
3.1 Organize together with the section on study and research a workshop on research and surveys concerning multiculturalism applied to libraries.

Goal 4

Encourage the employment of linguistic and cultural minorities in libraries by urging the library community to provide equitable access to jobs.

Goal 5

Encourage libraries to train local staff on multicultural issues.

Goal 6

Promote the teaching of library services to multicultural populations in library and information studies departments of universities and colleges throughout the world.
Actions:
6.1 See action 3.1

Goal 7

Reinforce the cooperation with the other Sections of IFLA by launching a multi-Section project focused on the concept of multicultural librarianship in a networked environment.
Actions:
7.1 Compile and distribute the section's newsletter twice a year, in accordance with the missions of the information coordinator.
7.2 Prepare and organize a satellite meeting in the university of Buffalo, joint with the section of information technology on the theme : " Technology, globalization and multicultural services ", in anticipation of the Boston conference 2001.

Goal 8

Improve the participation of every member of the Section, by conducting a survey on their expectations about the Section's activities.
Action:
8.1 Celebrate the 20th section's anniversary in Jerusalem conference 2000 with an open session to promote the section and to give information about section's history. A special newsletter about this theme will be published.

Goal 9

Advocate the co-development of multicultural services in public libraries of developed and developing countries.

Goal 10

Advocate cultural and educational policies designed to fight illiteracy and promote reading in all languages.

Goal 11

Advocate equitable access to new information technologies for linguistic minorities.
Actions:
11.1 Organize an open session joint with UAP group on library services for minorities in different countries, in anticipation of the Boston Conference 2001.