Encouraging and
supporting diversity through the media center means providing a place for
students to come and research information on certain topics of interest to
them. The media center should be a place where no matter what color, gender,
sexual orientation, socio-economic level, etc. you are, the information you
need to find is readily available. However, there can be limitations to what
kind of information to serve diverse audiences should be available. For
example, parents may not want their children to have access to books about sex,
abortion, drugs, etc. Since it is a school setting, certain topics can be
viewed as “off limits” and should be considered when selecting materials to
include in the collection. Perhaps a simple survey sent out to parents or
posted online on the media center website would generate some discussion on the
topic.
I do believe it is the
media center’s responsibility to serve diverse audiences, but I do not think it
happens everywhere all the time. Unfortunately, even though there is a small
population of Asian students in my school, there are not many resources for
them in the media center. On the other hand, at my school the media center
sponsors the IMPACT Club which serves as a positive force in the school. They
have collected can goods for needy families and sponsored a bookmark contest.
Out of the top ten finalists, almost half came from students in the special
education department. To me, that is an example of a media center being truly
open to all of its patrons.
Technology can play a
role in supporting diversity in the media center. For instance, having a
designated location on the media center website to promote a different culture
each month and having students volunteer to create the feature would encourage
research into different cultures. The same could be accomplished in the actual
media center. Also, sponsoring live web chats about different issues with an
expert in the field leading the discussion could prove beneficial.
Overall, I think that
the media center should encourage and support diversity in the school; however,
I think that the level of support should be different in each community. As a
future media specialist, I will want to learn the community and its beliefs and
values before selecting certain materials or bringing in certain issues to the
media center. With that being said, that does not mean I will not assist a
student with questions about a certain topic. I may only be able to point them
in the correct direction about finding information on the topic, even if it is
not available in the media center.
So, can the media center be too diverse?
I love your quote: "The media center should be a place where no matter what color, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic level, etc. you are, the information you need to find is readily available." I totally agree with this statement, but also with the fact that it doesn't happen everywhere. I think this is especially true about the county in which I teach. Our school says we do not censor books, but if more than one parent complains we have to stop reading the book. Many of our students are dealing with sexual orientation issues, yet we have to pull any books from our shelves that have gay or lesbian topics. So many of our students have never traveled outside of Georgia and have no idea about anyone who may be different from them. It's sad that our information centers are not allowed to represent all these differences. I do love how you said: "I may only be able to point them in the correct direction about finding information on the topic, even if it is not available in the media center." This is probably what most of us will have to do!
ReplyDeleteKindal, great post.
ReplyDeleteIt is a struggle... and here is where my temperment fits more the high school level than the middle school where I work (and love). Our collection is pretty strong on diversity. Our population is more than 50% minority (20/30 split of Hispanic/African-American). We have mildly and moderately intellectually impaired classes and we are a Merit program location (students being reintegrated into school from a separate facility).
On the issue of censorship, however, I struggle. We have virtually nothing for alternate sexual orientations and I would/will face strong objection if/when I attempt to fix this.
Diversity issues reach into every realm of life especially literature. As Media Specialists, we will be given the task of handling these topics appropriately and professionally with tact. With struggling and decreasing budgets I can only imagine that it is going to get harder to meet some of the needs of our diverse population.
ReplyDeleteI truly do not think that a media center can be to diverse as long as all populations within the school (and other as well) are represented. I think we often get overwhelmed when trying to embrace diversity and instead throw our hands up and give up. Also, some media specialists purchase a few titles and then pat themselves on the back for embracing diversity. Instead, I think that serving a diverse population needs to be something we think about daily throughout the whole year.
ReplyDeleteI loved your idea for promoting a culture using technology. I think that is a great start that might bring awareness to students who have never left Georgia and have not experienced much beyond their hometowns. I would also have a book display that matches the culture chosen for the month to try and raise circulation of books that might normally be checked out by students beyond a specific culture. I would also invite guest speakers, perhaps during lunch, and invite students to the media center to learn about these other cultures. I think a lot can be done to make a media center diverse, and all it takes is some great ideas from the media specialist.
The Media Center can never be too diverse. Students, faculty, staff and the community should feel right at home in the media center. The media specialist must be willing to work hard to create a user friendly environment.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point that our personal views and opinions may not be supportive of each subject or event. However, it is not our place to judge. Yes, we must enforce school policy and procedure. At the high school that I currently work in, I am constantly reminding myself that normal for me is not normal for everyone. I must teach tolerance and model it for my students.
The material in the media center will always be a source of contention. How do we draw the line on what material will be available to the students without parental consent? Well, if the student goes to the Public Library there is not censorship of material. Diversity make us all better human beings.
Great idea about the designated location to highlight an area of diversity! Whether that was done on the website or in house, it is an easy way to explore many different areas. Just like we have book themes, you could spend time looking at a variety of different people groups.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with both your post and some of the responses about how to meet the needs of diverse students while still helping parents (especially those of younger ones) feel like they have a say in what their children are exposed to. I may be old-fashioned but I don't want my four year old to be able to see the same material that would be okay for the 4th grader in her school to see. And there is a great difference in the level of maturity between our kindergarteners and our upper elementary students who often share the same media center. It's a tough road to travel, but definitely worth the journey.
I agree with many who have responded to this post in that a media center cannot be too diverse! I think that it is not only essential to provide materials that all students represented in the school can relate to, but to reach to cultures beyond those represented. I work at a school that has very little ethnic diversity. I find that my students have very little knowledge about other cultures as well as social and global issues, for example. I love your idea of promoting cultures through the use of technology. I think that it would be great to use Skype or some other communication tool to connect with students and community members around the world. I think that having a diverse collection of materials sitting in the media center is not enough...they need to be promoted and celebrated by us and other role models in the school.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question-NO the media center cannot be too diverse-in MY opinion anyway! I agree that creating a diverse collection should be an ongoing thing for media specialists-not just trying to make sure that when we look at our shelves that "something from each country" is there. I love all your ideas about promoting diversity through technology-especially the live chats.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think that sending out a survey would be a great idea to get to know the community and individuals in the school to see what resources you would need or the resources that would be helpful to the patrons. Diversity is something that can get sticky sometimes. As you mentioned in your post about different books and topics. It is important to know your dynamic and know what is appropriate for those students and teachers who use your materials. I really like how you said you would be able to lead the student or individual to the ways of finding their information, but it may not be available because of these diversity issues.
ReplyDelete