CLASS DIVERSITY PROJECT

1. What is the Melting Pot? The Melting Pot is a website that provides resources in the form of links, lists, etc. that instruct public librarians or paraprofessionals about how to build upon existing knowledge in collection development, programming and promotion of library services to serve an ever diversifying population within public libraries. The Melting Pot covers five major topics: Demographics –using Census numbers to determine community makeup. Diversity-considering all facets of diversity Resources-finding and sharing existing and emerging resources Promotion-using diverse media outlets within a community to promote library materials and services. Collaboration-emphasizing the active use of colleague’s experience as a tool to better serve diverse communities. 1

2. After years of having colleagues from other libraries ask for assistance in serving their diverse communities, my colleague and I have compiled resources, contacts, vendors, institutions, agencies and ideas that have proven useful and beneficial for us and others . 2 How did the Melting Pot come to be?

4. Instruction

5. Public Relations/Programming

7. Community Outreach

8. Public Relations/Promotion

9. Instruction3

10. Stakeholders continued… Library Management Administrators can use The Melting Pot site as a way to be aware of the need to create all-encompassing policies that promote diverse library materials and services. Library Users Constituents deserve trained staff to meet their diverse needs. 4

11. Stakeholders in the Melting Pot Librarians/paraprofessionals who are charged with purchasing materials, creating programs and promoting library services to diverse populations. Library systems that must provide continuing education for member libraries. 5