Libraries Meeting Needs Of Diverse Communities

Demographers predict that by the year 2050, African-Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, Latino/Hispanics, and Native Americans will constitute the majority of Americans.

The 2nd National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color is meeting this week in Kansas City, Missouri to help answer the question: How are our nation's libraries preparing for the demographic shift?

In the first part of Monday's Up to Date, we examine how libraries are rethinking how to provide services to diverse communities.  The challenges they face include meeting the increasing demand for multicultural and multilingual collections; recruiting a racially diverse bilingual workforce; and the development of multilingual literacy programs that empower English-language learners.

Joining Steve Kraske for the discussion is Native American author, David Treuer; President of the American Library Association, Maureen Sullivan; and UMKC Diversity Liaison and librarian of color, Gloria Tibbs.

We want to hear your ideas and suggestions on how libraries can engage and meet the needs of multi-cultural communities.  Call us during the show at 816.235.2888, post to our Facebook page, or send us a tweet @KCURUpToDate.