Serving Diverse Populations

Instructor: Yolanda Cuesta

Course Structure/Delivery:

This two-day program will provide working librarians with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively serve diverse populations. The program is interactive and it includes a variety of group exercises based on a case study about a medium-sized county library with multiple branches.  Using the same case study throughout the training will give participants an opportunity to apply what they are learning in a practical way in the “real” library – and to see the effects of the decisions they make throughout the two-day program. 

At the end of the program, participants will be able to identify the key issues and challenges of serving diverse populations.  The will know how diversity factors impact the delivery of library services; how cultural differences impact people’s perspectives on libraries and library service; how to apply intercultural communication techniques to the delivery of library services; when and how to use a variety of community-based techniques for learning about diverse communities and their needs; how to assess a library’s readiness to serve diverse populations; how to develop a culturally responsive library services plan that addresses identified community needs; how to develop effective multicultural work teams; and how to develop marketing messages that connect with diverse populations.  Participants will also be able to identify the principal challenges in recruiting and hiring a diverse library staff.

Full course description (PDF, 43 KB)

Course Fee:  

• $250 for PLA members and partners
• $300 for ALA members
• $400 for non-members

Fee will include all training materials, breaks, and lunch on both days of the workshop.

Course Schedule:  This is a two-day workshop that will be presented in various sites around the country.  The training program schedule for the two days will be:

• Day 1:  10 am – 12 pm; 1 pm – 5 pm
• Day 2:  8:30 am – 12 pm; 1 pm – 4:30 pm

In addition, all CPLA candidates will complete two projects.

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Contact: If you have questions regarding the content of this course, please get in touch with the instructor, Yolanda Cuesta (yjcuesta@mindspring.com).