Professional LibrariansMeeting Cultural Needs of the Community

Reference Interview

P o l i c y & P ro c e d u r e s

Demographics

Library Content

Define Culture

TechnologyCredits

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• Programs available in various languages• Advanced and beginners technology

classes• Social networking• Current trends• User friendly

Question:How can technology aid librarians as a valuable tool in meeting cultural needs

of the community?

demographics

technology

policy & procedure

library content

reference interview

Define culture

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Technology

• Social networking• Hours• Adjustment of fines• Bilingual signage• Cell phone & internet usage• Children’s area expectations

Question:How do policy and procedure affect, interact with, and influence the cultural

needs of the community?

demographics

technology

policy & procedure

library content

reference interview

Define culture

credits

Policy & Procedure

• Class/conference rooms• Study/quiet rooms• Research resources• Outreach programs• Children’s area• Computer labs• Recreational areas• Expanded media of games, movies, music, fictional

novelsQuestion:

How does the physical environment of a library address cultural needs of the community?

demographics

technology

policy & procedure

library content

reference interview

Define culture

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Library Content

Library staff recommends, interprets, evaluates others information needs

Reference librarians must be aware of– Tone of voice– Speaking simply and clarifying– Showing Patience and courtesy– Hand gestures, eye contact, speech and body

languageQuestion:

How can being aware of cross-cultural etiquette help a reference librarian meet the needs of the community?

demographics

technology

policy & procedure

library content

reference interview

Define culture

credits

Reference Interview

Culture is:• a group of people’s “shared and socially transmitted

ideas, values, and perceptions” which effect human behavior

• the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group

• Belief systems• Economic patterns• Social programming• Linguistics

Question:How do cultural differences and similarities effect the library environment?

demographics

technology

policy & procedure

library content

reference interview

Define culture

credits

Defining Culture

Expert Team:• Cari Cusick• Rachel (Raieh) Karnowski• Margaret (Jane) Kriwiel• Jennifer (Jen) Morris• Jennifer (Jenny) Robertson• Charity Rouse

For a complete list of cited references from our research, click on the following link:references

demographics

technology

policy & procedure

library content

reference interview

Define culture

credits

Credits