Diversity Conference Presentations & Materials
The 2006 OLC Diversity Conference featured library-based programs that expand cultural awareness, increase sensitivity
to economic, physical, and social differences, encourage advocacy, cooperation, and partnerships, heighten self-awareness,
and showcase best practices in services and programming.
Handouts and other resources from the 2006 Diversity Conference, provided by session presenters, are available on this
page.
- Books in the ‘Hood (And Also the ‘Burbs): Literature for Reluctant Readers and At-Risk Teens
Rollie Welch, Cleveland Public Library
A significant number of at-risk teens in urban, suburban, and rural environments choose not to read. Learn which
powerful books may spark an interest in these teens, encouraging them to become life-long readers. The new wave of gangsta
lit and the problems these books bring to teen services will also be discussed.
- Digital Terrorism and Hate
Rick Eaton, Senior Researcher, The Simon Wiesenthal Center & Diversity Matters
Rick Eaton, senior researcher and internationally-recognized expert with the Simon Wiesenthal Center for 20 years,
is an expert on this topic. Based on more than 5,000 problematic Web sites, portals, online games, blogs, forums and
videos, he will share the results of this important and extensive research. In addition, he will report on the Center's
annual CD-ROM, Digital Terrorism and Hate in 2006. The Internet is growing as a key propaganda weapon, marketing tool,
and fundraising engine by terrorist and extremist groups. Participants will explore the essential responsibilities and
roles that libraries play as the values of equality, openness and fairness for all intersect with the world of technology.
- Diversity and Individuals With Disabilities
Kevin Leonard, Coordinator of Goodwill Technology Resource Center
Is your library staff prepared to work with a diverse and varying population of people with disabilities? Is your
staff aware of the Do's and Don'ts of how best to assist and/or communicate with library patrons and/or co-workers who
have disabilities? Technology Resource Center, a service of Goodwill Industries of the Miami Valley, can provide you with
information on how to work with team members with disabilities as well as serve customers with disabilities. Major points
covered in the PowerPoint presentation will include: 1) How to Talk to People with Disabilities, 2) The Changing World of
Disabilities, 3) How to be Inclusive, and 4) Using Assistive Technology for a Diverse Population. Handouts will be
available. Time will be allotted at the end for questions. Kevin Leonard, a quadriplegic for 27 years, has first-hand
knowledge and expertise in this field. He shares personal experiences as well.
- Diversity In Teen Literature
Wendy Morano, Columbus Metropolitan Library
Have you read the one about the boy who wanted to be a girl? Or the one about the girl alone in Afghanistan after the
Taliban kidnapped her father and brother and murdered her mother? Or the story of Sonny, a 13-year-old boy living in
Medellin, Columbia, desperate to prove he's a man? Have you ever thought about what it might be like to be smuggled
across the U.S. border form Mexico to start a new life, or how you would survive on the run with a schizophrenic father?
Teen literature has come a long way since The Outsiders. In this session you'll explore the diversity of choices
available in teen literature today.
- The LGBT Toolbox for Librarians
Susan Ballard, Cuyahoga County Public Library and Tony Petruzzi, Morley Public Library
Does your collection include The Advocate, The L-Word, and Robert Mapplethorpe? Are you planning on adding
Brokeback Mountain or Transamerica to your collection? What display do you have planned for October 11? We will
provide tools to serve your lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender customers from statistics to programming to
collection development.
- Language Barriers and Providing Effective Library Service
Cheryl Kuonen, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library; Deva Walker, Cleveland Public Library; and Nancy Seeger, Cleveland
Heights-University Heights Public Library
When working with international patrons at the desk, on the phone, or online, the language barrier can present a
genuine challenge to communication. But language barriers complicate other library situations as well: for instance,
when hearing library staff work with hearing impaired patrons, and when adult library staff interact with teen patrons,
who seem to speak an IM language all their own. Come to this lively panel session to learn tips and suggestions for
improving communication with non-native English speakers, with people who are hearing impaired, and with the teens in your
library and community. Learn how to better serve these patrons with the resources you have!
- Muslim Characters and Islamic Themes in Children's Books
Asma Mobin-Uddin, Author
Knowledge about Islam and Muslims is crucial to furthering understanding in today's world. However, many books with
Muslim character or Islamic themes contain inaccuracies which may further misunderstanding or contribute to stereotyping.
Author, pediatrician, and member of central Ohio's Muslim community, Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin will discuss children's books in
this area and make recommendations for sensitive, accurate books about the Muslim experience.
- Ocean County Library: Connecting People, Building Community
Valerie Bell and Christine Matteo, Ocean County Library System
Creating an environment where customers and staff are respected and welcomed is a philosophy easier to conceptualize
than achieve. Ocean County (New Jersey) Library's customer service philosophy and diversity initiative is based upon the
principle of creating a welcoming and respectful culture. During this program we will share some of our strategies and best
practices for reaching out and partnering with an increasingly diverse community including our training and use of
Appreciative Inquiry skills in the development of local branch diversity plans of action. We will discuss some of the
inclusive approaches that have been successful in staff training and cultural awareness seminars all of which have been
used to create an atmosphere of acceptance and a culturally competent staff.
- The Power of Song
Leslie Aurelia Acevdeo and Mercedea Shriver, Flint Public Library
The Power of Song: Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round was Flint Public Library's outreach project
designed to teach young people about the Civil Rights Movement with a focus on freedom songs. Over a nine-month period,
library staff, with the assistance of Bernice Johnson Reagon, PhD, cultural activist, historian, author, and singer, and
the Choir Directors, guided the library research of a citywide school mass choir as they studied the Civil Rights
Movement. The participants shared what they learned with the community during a month-long exhibit of their artwork,
poems, and essays at the library. This project made the Civil Rights period come alive and resonate in the audience as
the choir performed the songs sung in communities across the nation before the choir members and many of their parents
were born.
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