Volume 9 , Number 2 Diversity Matters (Summer 2003) | Pages July 2014 Volume 9, Issue 2 (2014). Volume 9, Issue 2. OLA Quarterly, 9(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.7710/1093-7374.1701 © 2014 by the author(s). OLA Quarterly is an official publication of the Oregon Library Association | ISSN 1093-7374 OLA Quarterly Diversity Matters In This Issue A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Chat With All Due Respect GayThemed Books in Oregon Public and Academic Libraries: A Brief Historical Overview Diversity and Special Services Developing Virtual Spanishlanguage Resources: Exploring a Best Practices Model for Public Libraries Deep Change—Diversity at Its Simplest OLAQSummer .//0 Vol 1 • No . OLA Quarterly Oregon Library Association Summer 2003 http://www.olaweb.org Vol 9 • No 2 ISSN 1093-7374 The OLA Quarterly is an official publication of the Oregon Library Association. Diversity Matters Please refer questions and input regarding Table of Contents the Quarterly to: Fred R. Reenstjerna . OLA Publications Chair A Hitchhikers Guide to Chat Douglas County Library Karen Munro and Annie Zeidman-Karpinski 1409 NE Diamond Lake Blvd. Roseburg, OR 97470 phone 541-440-6007 With All Due Respect Maresa Kirk and Jey Wann fax 541-440-4317 [email protected] Gay-Themed Books in Oregon Public and Academic Libraries: Graphic Production: A Brief Historical Overview Tobias Weiss Design Larry R. Oberg and Gary M. Klein 7345 SW Deerhaven Drive Corvallis, OR 97333 0 phone 541-738-1897 Diversity and Special Services fax 541-738-1897 Carolynn Avery [email protected] Developing Virtual Spanish-Language Resources: Exploring a Best Practices Model for Public Libraries Michael Shapiro ./ Deep Change—Diversity at Its Simplest Sandra Rios Balderrama Upcoming Issues Fall 2003 Energizing Young Adult Services Winter 2003 Other Voices: Library Associations in Oregon OLA Quarterly is indexed in Library Literature. Oregon Library Association 2002–2003 Executive Board President OEMA Representative Oregon Young Adult Network Connie Bennett Kelly Kuntz Heidi Weisel Eugene Public Library Beaverton School District Corvallis-Benton County Public Library 541.682.5363 503.591.4286 541.766.6784 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Vice President/President-elect ALA Representative Public Library Division Faye Chadwell Wyma Rogers Rob Everett University of Oregon Newport Public Library Eugene Public Library 541.346.1819 541.265.2153 541.682.8314 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Past President PNLA Representative Support Staff Division Janet Webster Carol Reich Diane Bolen Marilyn Potts Guin Library Hillsboro Public Library Willamette University OSU/Hatfield Marine Science Center 503.615.6514 503.370.6673 541.867.0108 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] State Librarian Trustees and Friends Division Secretary Jim Scheppke Barbara Wright Steve Skidmore Oregon State Library Hillsboro Public Library Siuslaw Public Library 503.378.4367 503.644.7307 x221 541.997.3132 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Academic Library Division Member at Large Treasurer Sara Brownmiller Dale Vidmar Suzanne Sager University of Oregon Southern Oregon University Portland State University 541.346.2368 541.552.6842 503.725.8169 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Children’s Services Division Parliamentarian Dan White Ed House Douglas County Library System Beaverton City Library 541.440.6009 503.526.3705 [email protected] [email protected] The Publications Committee Fred R. Reenstjerna, chair Kris Kern Mary Ellen Kenreich, ex officio Douglas County Library System Portland State University Portland State University Ad Coordinator Juanita Benedicto Victoria Scott University of Oregon University of Portland Pam North, ex officio Sherwood Public Library Sue Jenkins Rachel Mendez Editor, OLA Hotline Driftwood Public Library Multnomah County Library System Editor, OLA Web Site OLA Quarterly Publication Schedule 2003 The OLA Quarterly is an official publication of the Oregon Library Association. Beginning with volume 3, number 4 the Quarterly is indexed in Library Literature. Each issue of the OLA Quarterly is developed by a guest editor(s), on a topic decided by the Publications Committee. To suggest future topics for the Quarterly, or to volunteer/nominate a Guest Editor, please click on the appropriate e-mail link. Vol./No. Theme Deadline Pub. Date Guest Editor Vol 9 • No 3 Energizing Young July 15, 2003 September 15, 2003 Christine Perkins Fall 2003 Adult Services Oregon Young Adult Network Vol 9 • No 4 Other Voices: Library October 15, 2003 December 15, 2003 To be Announced Winter 2003 Associations in Oregon Oregon Library Association Non-Profit Organization P.O. Box 2042 U.S. Postage Salem, OR 97308-2042 PAID Permit No. 121 Salem, OR Diversity Matters know diversity matters to the it is just “right” to respect other offer a search strategy and methodol- Oregon library community. people, on a purely self-interested ogy applicable to assessing collections I Numerous Oregon libraries make basis, you do better when you draw for other subjects. Michael Shapiro a difference by providing outreach on a wider range of human experi- explores a best practices model in his services to previously underserved ence. The difficult part is making the evaluation of web-based Spanish communities, diversifying their collec- time, listening, and looking for your language resources offered by five U.S. tions, or recruiting ethnically or own built-in prejudices. public libraries. Bridging the emerging culturally diverse staff. Consider these Sheryl Steinke, school librarian for generation gap among library staff, libraries as examples: The Black the Eugene 4J school system, told me: Annie Zeidman-Karpinski and Karen Resource Center, located in the North … As a public school librarian I Munro examine the virtues of online Portland branch of the Multnomah believe that so much of what children chat. Examining another type of gap, County Library, offers many library learn about … happens at school. The Jey Wann and Maresa Kirk ponder the materials relating to the African best schools are those where people value our profession places on educa- American experience. Corvallis-Benton of many ethnicities, religions, ages and tional attainment. Carolynn Avery’s County Public Library offers “Hora Des persuasions learn and work together. thoughtful piece reminds us that Cuentos en Espanol” (Spanish story In public schools lacking diversity embracing diversity in libraries means time) every Saturday. Southern Oregon among the people, the books, maga- incorporating services and collections University Library is developing the zines and other materials in the library to support users with visual impair- First Nations Tribal Collection, a digital can help to introduce the richness of ments or physical disabilities. Finally, collection focusing on the tribes who the human condition. Sandra Rios Balderrama’s provocative lived in or near the Siskiyou-Cascade- Xe Yu, in Portland State University’s essay anchors this issue. Her vision of Klamath bioregion. Cataloging Department, wrote: The diversity bestows new but not effort- Diversity is a part of the Oregon most important and difficult thing to less levels to which we should as- Library Association’s Vision 2010. This achieve, of the many dimensions of pire—deep change above and beyond statewide call to action urges us to diversity, perhaps, is ethnic diversity … the mundane. create a “strong and diverse workforce” Our problem is that libraries are more While we can be proud of the by drawing on “the broadest range of interested in diversifying their collec- steps that our profession and Oregon skills and abilities from people with tions, than in diversifying their ranks. libraries have taken to honor diversity, diverse educational, experiential, and Without a major effort in human we should not be complacent. Respect- cultural backgrounds.” resources, libraries may not be able to ing the diversity of opinions of others While putting this issue of OLA provide good services to all. can counter political climates that Quarterly together, I queried a Typically, when someone dis- measure someone’s patriotism by number of library professionals about cusses diversity in libraries, we focus measuring one’s level of conformity. why diversity matters to libraries. on services or collections. We are, after Enhancing our understanding of John Helmer, director of the Orbis- all, a practical profession intent on gender, ethnicity, disability, or culture Cascade Alliance, said: This is pretty improving user services. Contributions can dismiss notions that make someone simple minded, but for me it comes to this issue of OLA Quarterly will automatically suspicious because of down to the fact that you just can’t satisfy this practical, professional bent. physical appearance or religious beliefs. think outside your own head. The I hope they also will address that side Especially in the aftermath of the events only way to get something new in of us that is needful of introspection of September 11, 2001, the health and there is to keep your mouth shut for a and inspiration. welfare of libraries, if not our nation, bit and listen to someone that has a In their careful analysis of gay, may be incumbent on promoting and different perspective and background. lesbian, bisexual and transgender sustaining diversity. Even if you forget about the fact that holdings, Gary Klein and Larry Oberg —Faye Chadwell University of Oregon Libraries Guest Editor OLAQ 1 A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Chat by Karen Munro ibrarianship is going gray. A 1999 typical recreational chat session is a virtual Literature Librarian Readex survey, drawing from the kaffeeklatsch, during which the conversa- University of Oregon Lsame year’s ALA Survey of Librarian tion may range from international politics Salaries, tells us that 45 percent of respond- to recipes for crème bruleé, and during and by ing librarians were between 45 and 54 which any or all participants may be doing Annie Zeidman-Karpinski years old.