Serving Diverse Populations eCourse Starting Soon

How prepared are you to provide library services to diverse communities? According to a report from the United States Census Bureau, the U.S. is projected to continue becoming a more racially and ethnically pluralistic society. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are fundamental values of the ALA and its members, as diversity is listed as one of ALA's Key Action Areas. We understand that all segments of a library’s community have a right and a need for the valuable services libraries deliver.

You have probably noticed the shifts in the U.S. demographics just from observing your library patrons. Do you feel comfortable and equipped when it comes to serving diverse populations? If you need help getting up-to-speed on how to serve diverse communities, consider taking the asynchronous, six-week course titled Serving Diverse Populations. This eCourse, which begins on June 21, 2021, represents the culmination of efforts expended by ALA President, Julius C. Jefferson, Jr.  Offering a certificate program to address the area of serving diverse populations has been a programmatic priority for President Jefferson. He commented, “I look forward to this certificate program that will address a critical strategic direction, EDI, and focus on the training needs of our members; with the goal of strengthening our libraries and communities.”

The Serving Diverse Populations eCoourse will help participants to:

• Acquire techniques to create or adapt library programs, services, facilities, and collections so that people of various cultures find those programs and services valuable to them, so that the library is a more useful and welcoming place for them


• Understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and governing structure for the library – to not only create a more welcoming atmosphere for customers, but also to provide a richer internal information and decision-making environment among the staff


• Discover both traditional and non-traditional sources and techniques for recruiting library staff and trustees

If you work in a library, manage library staff, are concerned with hiring and retaining library staff, or just want to understand how to better serve your community, it is critical that you know the information that will be shared in this course.

Register now to gain knowledge of how to better serve your community. For more information, visit the Serving Diverse Populations eCourse webpage.