Nylink

Wednesday, March 19, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
Mid-Manhattan Library
New York, New York
Cost: $100 Nylink member | $150 non-member

As our communities become more diverse we can inadvertently run into barriers in dealing with different people. These issues affect all types of libraries including public and academic institutions. Among the major barriers to effective customer service are: anti-immigrant sentiment, miscommunication because of unrecognized cultural differences, and the traditional corporate culture dominant in many libraries. This presentation will examine how these obstacles, especially when acting in concert, can sabotage the best-intended plan of service. How can we overcome these issues? How can we provide effective service to the diverse groups of people using our libraries? Practical case studies in transcending these barriers will be discussed.

Presenter:

Edana Cichanowicz

Mrs. Cichanowicz has been Head of Reference & Adult Services at the Brentwood (N.Y.) Public Library (an English-language-minority district) since 2003. She is currently an adjunct professor at Long Island University, C.W. Post, Palmer Library School, teaching “Library Service to Diverse Communities.” She holds an MLS from St. John’s University and an MALS in Multicultural Management from S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook.

Registration