Guides: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility: Cultural Best Practices

General Best Practices

Highlight diverse narratives including lesser-known figures.
- We want to highlight different experiences, backgrounds, and identities.
Promote ongoing engagement.
- Programming should not be limited to a single month of the year.
Respect cultural traditions
- Be mindful of cultural and religious practices, traditions, and holidays.
- Avoid scheduling events that may conflict with significant dates or times.
Celebrate achievements and resilience.
- Avoid just focusing on the trauma and challenges.
Promote inclusivity.
- Ensure that events are accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Highlight local history as it can foster a stronger sense of connection and appreciation.
Recognize intersectionality.

Highlighting Other Cultures

Collaboration is one of the best ways you can get ready to facilitate a library program that highlights another culture.

Collaborate with your peers or a community members to research unfamiliar topics to gain insights into specific traditions and practices.
Encourage authentic involvement. If you are consulting with someone, allow them to shape the content and direction of your program.
Ask them to share additional resources that can help you get a better understanding of the topic.
If you need help identifying someone that can help, reach out to deia@ocls.info.
After the program, encourage feedback and adapt your program as needed.

Avoid Tokenism

Avoid relying on a single perspective to represent an entire community.
We want to highlight different experiences, backgrounds, and identities.

Offer resources

Provide reading lists, recommended films, and other educational resources that will allow customers the opportunity to learn more after your program.

Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreciation

What is Cultural Appropriation? The unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.

Source: Oxford Languages

Elements of Cultural Appropriation:

Disrespectful: It involves taking elements from another culture without understanding, permission, or respect for its significance
Ignores origins: It often ignores or trivializes the origins and meanings of cultural elements
Negative intent: It is often done for personal gain, entertainment, or to appear "trendy," without genuine appreciation or understanding
Disregards boundaries: It can involve using cultural symbols, clothing, or practices in ways that are offensive or disrespectful
Can perpetuate stereotypes: It may reinforce harmful stereotypes or misunderstandings about the culture being borrowed from

What is Cultural Appreciation? A way of honoring another culture through exploration and seeking an understanding as a way to honor that culture, beliefs, and traditions.

Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Elements of Cultural Appreciation:

Respectful: It involves learning about, valuing, and respecting another culture without imitating or borrowing from it
Acknowledges origins: It recognizes and honors the source culture, giving credit where it's due.
Positive Intent: It is done with the intention of understanding, celebrating, and showing genuine interest in another culture.
Respects Boundaries: It respects the boundaries and traditions of the culture, not treating them as costumes or commodities.
Fosters Cross-Cultural Understanding: It promotes goodwill, understanding, and connection between different cultures.

Elements to Highlight

Celebrate Holidays and Festivals

Highlight significant holidays and festivals and ensure that programming highlights the historical and cultural significance.

Showcase Music and Dance

Incorporate traditional music and dance as these play a significant role in many cultures. Remember to highlight the history and cultural significance.