Surveying the role of ethnic-American library associations.

INTRODUCTION

The last few decades since the blossoming of the civil rights movement

have seen the emergence of a unique type of organization of librarians--i.e.,

the ethnic library association. These associations cross many

professional and geographic boundaries, including public, special, school,

and academic librarians from technical and public service as well as

administration. What unites these professionals is an interest in professional

opportunities for minority librarians, fostering access to unbiased ethnic

information and recruitment of minority librarians to lead library service

into a multicultural future. A survey of these associations demonstrates

how many of these organizations were formed and ultimately examines

the fruits of their collaborative action. While it is not a

historical examination of the subject, a definition and a context is required to

appreciate why these associations were formed and continue to fill a niche

in the profession.

Minorities are comprised of individuals who have a common characteristic

that is shared among them and which is different from the majority

and from other minorities who do not share that characteristic. That

common shared characteristic is the bond that unites the group. In the

case of ethnic minorities, it is a common racial, cultural, religious.

linguistic, and/or geographic heritage that defines a particular group as the

same or similar and sets it apart from others (Chu, 1994, p. 128).

The 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were decades when white and minority

societies were segregated and unequal in the United States. Nonwhite 

individuals had very limited opportunities and many were impoverished.

under-educated, and alienated from the "American Dream." The 1960s

was a decade of activism in which various entrenched values of American

society were questioned and challenged, and new hope was born in the

hearts and minds of many. Since the struggles of the 1960s for civil rights

in American society, the voices of minorities, organized into groups for

various causes, have been heard. Among these causes is equal opportunity

for all of America's citizens irrespective of race, religion, gender,

or color.

Libraries were, as they still are, a microcosm of American society.

During the decades of the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and even into the 1960s,

some library school professors expressed discriminatory attitudes regarding

nonwhite students' intelligence being inferior (Williams, 1987, p. 156).

Few minorities were in the profession, and their opportunities for advancement

were virtually nonexistent. Discrimination in employment

and promotional opportunities was rampant and blatant. The situation

in libraries merely mirrored the larger society. In some states, professional

organizations were segregated. Minority librarians who belonged

to the American Library Association (ALA) felt that the association did

not adequately represent them, did not provide opportunities for them

to participate in decision-making, and responded to their needs too slowly

and tentatively.

The result was that, in the 1970s, ethnic library associations and caucuses

began to organize formally. The ALA Black Caucus formed in 1970;

REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to the

Spanish Speaking, organized in 1971; the Asian American Library Caucus

emerged in 1975; and the American Indian Library Association was

established in 1978. This time period also saw the emergence of library

associations for Jewish-Americans and Chinese-Americans, among others.

How they organized, their purposes, and the role they fill in the

profession is important in understanding why they are needed. There

are minority associations and caucuses in many professions; library and

information science is representative, in this respect, of professions in

the United States. Within the library and information science profession

there are ethnic minority associations and caucuses at the national and,

in some instances, state levels. It is the intent here to examine ethnic

library associations and caucuses within the profession at the national

level.

AMERICAN INDIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (AILA)

Indian peoples have seen libraries as a part of their education. During

America's frontier days, Indian lands were often traded by Indian

tribes to have access to the "white man's education." Treaties signed by

the U.S. government, still in force today, guarantee this education. But

living up to the agreements of the treaties has always been an issue, and

the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has given Native Americans only the

bare minimum.

Before the late 1970s, American Indians and Alaskan native people

living on or near reservations did not have access to library facilities

equal to other Americans. On most reservations under the auspices of the U. S.

Bureau of Indian Affairs, the only library was a small school library. Its

hours and resources were geared to juvenile readers and considered inadequate

(Isaac, 1978, p. 13). State and public libraries felt no obligation

to serve reservations since the Indian tribes were not part of their

tax base (L. Mitten, personal communication, February 10, 1997). Most

reservations provided nothing in the way of library services for the adult

community. The only exceptions to this bleak situation were just a few

isolated school library media centers which had sought and received funding

from grants set aside for Indian education through initiative taken by

the local reservation. These isolated models had been well received by

their communities who took great pride in them (Buffalomeat et al., 1978).

But the money had always been project oriented or short term, and there

were no reliable sustaining funds for library services and resources for

reservation libraries (Mathews, 1978, pp. 2-3).

Not only did the communities have current information needs that

were not being served adequately' but the imperative need for Indian

communities to know their past required the establishment of repositories

in which they could do historical research into the archives of their

historical records:

It is noteworthy that during the Second World War when many gover-nment

agencies were asked to destroy old records in order to make

room for war-time record-keeping that the Indian records were

among the few subject areas exempt from this requirement . . . . In

preserving these records there is a clear indication that the Congress

and executive branch intended that one day Indians would

have access and familiarity with the records of their past as preserved

in the federal archives and record centers. (Deloria, 1978, p. 12)

American Indians in the field of education needed to know their past,

the traditional alternatives advocated by their ancestors, and the specific

experiences of their communities. The oral history tradition remained,

and the adults wanted the children to know their tribe's heritage, cultural

values, and the meaning of its customs. There was a need for Indian

writers to supply their history, record their lifestyle, and create their

own materials (Shields, 1970, p. 858).

In 1971, a small task force of American Indian librarians formed to

address the issue of a lack of any kind of libraries for Indian peoples. In

October 1978, the Mite House Pre-Conference on Indian Library and Information

Services on or Near Reservations was held in Denver to lay the

Groundwork for a comprehensive improvement of library services and resources

to American Indians (White House Pre-Conference, 1978). Participants

came from a variety of Indian tribes representing all parts of the United

States. The result of the White House Pre-Conference was a resolution

which was taken forward to the White House Conference an Library and Information

Services the next year. This comprehensive resolution contained

concrete proposals for providing financial support for building libraries,

training library staff, library materials, technical assistance, the

establishment of Indian Studies programs in institutions of higher education,

and the establishment of a National Indian Library Center in the U. S.

Department of the Interior's Office of Library and Information Services.

The resolution was passed in 1979, and thus began the formal provision

of library services for American Indians and Alaskan natives living on or

near reservations (Information for the 1980s, 1980, pp. 75-76).

For American Indian librarians, the natural evolution of this important

step forward was the formation of an ethnic library association. The

American Indian Library Association (AILA) was organized in June 1979

and became affiliated with the American Library Association in June 1985.

Its purposes are: (1) promoting the establishment, maintenance, and upgrading

of Indian libraries on or near reservations; (2) developing criteria

and standards for Indian libraries; (3) providing technical assistance

on archival services to Indian tribes; (4) supporting the development of

Indian information networks among tribes and institutions maintaining

Indian archives; (5) educating public officials and the general public about

library/information needs of Indian communities; (6) bringing together

those interested in Indian libraries at conferences; (7) helping members

of Indian communities gain access to and use libraries; (8) enhancing

the capability of libraries to assist Indian authors; (9) planning workshops

on Indian library services; (10) developing grant proposals and fundraising

activities to support Indian library projects; and (11) developing

awareness in the non-Indian society of Indian peoples' desire for library

information resources (American Indian Library Association, n.d.).

American Indians are accustomed to being invisible in all phases of

American society. The lack of acknowledgment, basic respect, and cultural

appreciation for the nation's native peoples is a form of racism

(Fletcher, 1997, p. 3). The disregard for their needs and the disrespect

shown toward the educational competency of minorities is also racist and

is institutionalized in the highest levels of our government.

In the mid 1980s a new political appointee, a top administrator who

was to head the library program in the United States Department of

Education, told me [a founder of AILA], "I'm not interested in Indians."

She wouldn't support renewal of a national training and assistance

project for tribal libraries, saying that "they [Indians] don't

need libraries; they can't read anyway." (L. Patterson,

personal communication, February 12, 1997)

Over the years, the American Indian Library Association has promoted

libraries and library systems in Indian Country (as defined in 18 U. S. C.

1151). These libraries provide the facility for preservation, documentation,

study, promotion of Indian languages, history, legal rights, and culture

as tribal institutions. They are the foundation for participation in

modern automation and technology. AILA has facilitated the provision

of information resources to improve Indian library, cultural, and information

services in schools, libraries, and reservations. AILA is committed

to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values,

and information needs to the library community.

The number of tribal libraries has risen, but even today there is no

permanent source of library funding from the federal government, which

is responsible for Indian reservations. AILA, has kept the issue in front of

the U. S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science,

but it is a continuing issue, and AILA's voice is small in an arena of multiple

conflicting demands and shifting political priorities. There is the

hope that "technology is going to leap frog some of these tribal libraries

over the barriers they've been facing" but the funding varies from state to

state and remains project oriented and short termed. There is no coordinating

office for Indian libraries anywhere (L. Patterson, personal communication,

February 12, 1997).

AILA's priorities have shifted somewhat over the years. Getting funding

for new reservation libraries is no longer the urgent need it once was.

Permanent funding to keep reservation libraries going is still problematic.

There are still few American Indian librarians in the profession,

and recruitment is a priority (McCook, 1993). Since there are so many

tribes, the American Indian Library Association is a unifying voice for

issues concerning many tribal libraries and for networking among American

Indian librarians. It is the only voice for an overall vision.

ASIAN-AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS

Discrimination has become a major part of Asian-American history.

Significant events in this history included laws which barred Asians from

citizenship, the "internment" of Japanese-Americans during World War

II, and the Chinese Exclusion Act. Immigration scholar Daniels (1988)

goes so far as to write that: "Unfortunately, much of Asian American experience

is what I call `negative History'; that is, for a significant part

of their history in this country, Asians have been more celebrated for what

has happened to them than for what they have accomplished" (p. 4).

Asian-American immigrants settled in ethnic communities, mostly

along the Pacific Coast. Chinese, the first group to immigrate to the West

Coast in significant numbers, were segregated to special schools in San

Francisco (Daniels, 1988, p. 111). A historical search of library

Literature before World War II reveals a dearth of material on Asian-Americans

as library patrons or as librarians. A search of biographical dictionaries of

librarians from the same period reveals that most were catalogers of Asian

language material in academic libraries or ran branch libraries in larger

cities. This lack of Asian-American librarians, and attitudes related to

them, is highlighted in a speech by Yust at the 1913 ALA, Conference:

"So far there is no indication of a yellow race [sic] problem in public

libraries. When foreigners enter a field which is already occupied they

do not produce a real race problem so long as they are so few in number

that they are chiefly objects of curiosity" (p. 159).

To counteract these attitudes, Asian Americans have organized several

professional organizations to serve the diverse community of Asian-American

librarians. They have been instrumental in the struggle to fight

discrimination, overcome racial bias and language and cultural differences,

and to provide mentoring and community for one another.

With over 600 members, the largest Asian-American professional library

association is the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA).

CALA is the product of a merger of two organizations, the Chinese-American

Librarians Association, founded in Chicago in 1973, and the Chinese

Librarians Association which was established at Stanford University in

1974. According to the current President, Mengxioung Liu, CALA was

founded "because there was a need to enhance communication among

Chinese-American librarians to discuss the common concerns in providing

service to Chinese-American populations, and to promote career advancement

for Chinese-American librarians" (personal communication, March 28, 1997).

The goals and objectives of CALA are: (1) to enhance communications between

Chinese-American librarians and other librarians and among themselves, (2)

to serve as a forum for discussion of mutual problems and professional concerns

for Chinese-American librarians, (3) to promote Sino-American librarianship and

library services, and (4) to provide a vehicle for cooperation with other

associations with similar or allied interests (Wan, 1986, p. 141).

To meet the aforementioned goal of communication, CALA, maintains a Web

site, a listserv, a newsletter, a directory, and copublishes the Journal of

Library and Information Science with the National Taiwan Normal University. It

also sponsors an annual banquet and programs in conjunction with the ALA annual

convention. Five local chapters also meet approximately twice each year (M. Liu,

personal communication, March 29, 1997). At the annual banquet, the association

presents two scholarships and the CALA Distinguished Service Award, which

recognizes an individual's activity to promote CALA and Chinese-American

librarianship.

CALA has also been active in transliteration standards and a program of

Sending books to China. Besides professional development, the association also

offers a place to "assist members to develop some management and leadership

skills" (M. Liu, personal communication, March 29, 1997). That these efforts are

bearing fruit is evident by the increasing number of CALA members who have run

for ALA Council. CALA, works closely with the ALA and the Asian Pacific American

Librarians Association (APALA) to represent the interests of the membership.

The Asian Pacific American Librarians Association is another affiliate of

ALA. Formally established in 1980, APALA's roots date back to 1975 as an

"informal discussion group in ALA" entitled the Asian American Librarians

Caucus. The nearly 300 members represent 17 self-identified ethnic groups

ranging from American to Vietnamese" (Asian Pacific American Librarians

Association, n.d.).

The four largest APALA ethnic groups are Chinese (40 percent). East Indian 

(14 percent), Filipino (10 percent), and Korean (16 percent). Members are

"tuned to diversity among themselves, and practice what APALA promotes." For

example, the members have worked out a harmonious rotating system by ethnicity

for the presidency (Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, n.d.).

The objectives and purposes of APALA are: (1) to provide a forum for

Discussing problems and concerns of Asian/Pacific American librarians, (2) to

provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, (3) to support and encourage library

services to Asian/Pacific Americans in the library/information professions, (4)

to seek funding for scholarships for Asian/ Pacific American students in library

and information science schools, and (5) to provide a vehicle for communication

with other associations having similar or allied interests (Nicolescu &

Collantes, 1986, p. 138).

In addition to a newsletter, listserv, directory, and annual programs, APALA

published in 1996 the first Asian American Resources Directory, which

serves as an important reference tool.

The Asian-American Law Librarians Caucus was organized at the 1987 American

Association of Law Librarians (AALL) Annual Meeting and has presented

Thematic programs at AALL meetings since then. It also maintains a Web site and

a newsletter (Asian-American Law Librarians Caucus, n.d.).

REFORMA: THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE LIBRARY

SERVICES TO THE SPANISH SPEAKING

Concern with providing library services and resources for Spanish-speaking

Americans evolved slowly in American libraries. Prior to the mid 1950s,

library services and resources were inadequate for anyone who did not read

English. Other than the limited work of the ALA Committee on Work with the

Foreign Born in the 1940s, librarians showed little interest or understanding of

the various cultures within the Latino community and their library needs (Jones,

1991). Spanish-speaking children were segregated in their schools.

Discrimination in housing was exercised against Latinos. Latinos were largely

ignored by American society and American libraries. The belief was

common that conventional library services were sufficient for Hispanics,

and that they did not use the libraries because they were not interested or

could not read (Haro, 1987, p. 142).

In 1956, the Seminar for the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials

(SALALM) was founded. SALALM is an organization which focuses on

publications from Latin America so that libraries and librarians have at their

disposal a forum on the development of collections about Latin America.

Although, by the late 1950s, Chicano authors were producing an increasing number

of publications, this body of literature was not considered mainstream by the

academy (Dawson, 1990, pp. 121-22). By the 1960s, a few people saw the need for

information sources for the increasing Spanish-speaking population in the United

States, and federal funds became available for developing new library programs

to address this need. Since this purpose was not being addressed by the

profession nor its associations, a grassroots movement among Latino

librarians emerged.

In 1968, the Committee to Recruit Mexican American Librarians formed in Los

Angeles, and from it was founded the Graduate Institute for Mexican American

Librarians at the now defunct library school at California State

University, Fullerton. By 1972, the Graduate Library Institute for

Spanish-Speaking Americans (GLISA) was founded at the library school at the

University of Arizona. Both programs focused on recruitment to librarianship and

on increasing the number of Latino librarians serving Spanish-speaking

communities (Guerrena, 1996, p. 77). But both were

funded on short-term money and the funding ran out.

The National Association of Spanish Speaking Librarians in the United

States was founded in 1971, and a year later "REFORMA" was added in front of

this name. REFORMA is not an acronym but rather reflected the goal of this

association to reform the lack of outreach to Spanish-speaking people. In 1983,

the name was changed to REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library

Services to the Spanish Speaking to better reflect the goal rather than the

membership of the association (Dawson, 1990, pp. 123, 127). The association

consists of regional chapters in diverse geographic parts of the nation. Since

Latinos in different parts of the country are from various countries of origin,

there are significant variations in culture, values, and even language (Trejo,

1970, p. 716). Librarians must understand the language and culture to be

effective within the Spanish-speaking community and to have the opportunity

to bring understanding about the Latino community to others in the larger

community (Haro, 1987, pp. 143-47).

REFORMA's purposes are to: (1) unite librarians of Ibero-American

extraction and those interested in working with the Spanish speaking/ Spanish

surnamed; (2) work toward implementation of policies which adequately fulfill

needs of the Spanish speaking/Spanish surnamed in matters concerning

librarianship; (3) study available research data to understand Spanish-speaking

ethnic groups to make library services more meaningful and useful for them; (4)

promote research on problems concerned with production, distribution, and use of

library materials and compile bibliographies; (5) develop a clearinghouse for

information about the Spanish speaking; (6) identify and evaluate library

programs designed for adequate service to the Spanish speaking; (7)

identify needs and priorities for those working with the Spanish speaking;

(8) formulate guidelines for libraries at all levels of service to the Spanish

speaking; (9) explore the application of computer technology for resolving

problems with library services to the Spanish speaking; (10) make

recommendations for ALA and other associations to play a more active role in

promoting library service to the Spanish speaking; and (11) conduct

an annual meeting to carry forward REFORMA's objectives (Dawson, 1990,

pp. 130-31).

In August 1996, REFORMA marked its twenty-fifth anniversary and held its

first independent conference. It was a coming of age for this growing

organization and a time for reunion and centering for many colleagues. It was a

celebration of progress and pride and set the stage for new challenges, goals,

and growth (REFORMA's rite of passage, 1996). One of these challenges is to

increase the number of scholarships from the thirty-three REFORMA has already

given (Oder, 1996, p. 39).

As the Latino population increases in the United States, REFORMA's role

continues. In the current economic climate with budget cutbacks,

there is stiff competition for finite resources and numerous conflicting

demands for those resources. REFORMA continues the struggle to get Spanish

language resources and Latino-oriented materials into libraries at all levels.

REFORMA has been successful in lobbying American publishers to produce Spanish

language materials, including a recently released Spanish language index (E.

Erazo, personal communication, February 27, 1997). Despite many positive changes

that libraries have made and many inroads toward enlightening librarians to this

need, it remains troubling that it is still problematic to get adequate

resources and services into Spanish-speaking communities (Guerena, 1996, p. 77).

Recruitment is a continuing priority for REFORMA. A shortage of Latino

librarians still plagues the profession in spite of efforts over the years

at recruitment. However, the voice of Latino librarians has gotten stronger

within the American Library Association and some state associations, where many

have taken their place in the process of decision making and leadership.

REFORMA's objectives remain as valid today as they were in the earth days

of its existence. The members are united by their common goals of developing

Spanish language and Latino-oriented library collections, recruiting bilingual

librarians and library staff, promoting library awareness of collections and

services, and advocating the information needs of the Hispanic community.

REFORMA is an association where members with similar experiences and goals

unite to address issues and plan strategies that are not addressed by other

associations.

BLACK CAUCUS OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (BCALA)

The conferences of the American Library Association were attended by few

black librarians before 1940. Humiliating conditions and segregated

accommodations made it difficult for the few black librarians in the profession

to participate. After the 1936 ALA cConvention in Richmond, Virginia, where

black members of the association were treated with hostility by the local

citizens, an outcry of protest was lodged by some ALA members. This marked a

turning point for the American Library Association and resulted in passage, at

the next conference, of a resolution that all meetings connected with ALA

conferences would be open to all members. This meant that conferences could

not be scheduled, however, in the segregated southern cities. Black

librarians continued to suffer the humiliation of staving in inferior

accommodations and lacked any mechanism to influence improvement. By the

mid-1950s, when some hotel accommodations became available for blacks in

northern cities, black librarians participated more broadly in ALA and,

in 1954, the ALA Council adopted a constitutional change regarding state

chapters that was to force the issue of disallowing segregated state

chapters. But this issue was not settled until a resolution was passed

at the 1962 ALA Conference in Miami Beach. After that, some black librarians

were able to participate, and a few rose to leadership positions in some

state chapters. But membership for blacks was not routine in other state

chapters and had to be fought for in some associations, particularly in

the South (Marshall, 1970, pp. 178-81).

The 1960s were filled with strides which gave black Americans their civil

rights in many arenas. But the activism of the 1960s left black librarians

dissatisfied with the American Library Association, because the association had

been too slow and reticent in promoting their needs. Discrimination in

employment and lack of equal promotional opportunity remained prevalent. Blacks

involved in the association were dispersed among the various divisions and

activities and therefore did not have a collective voice on issues of social

change or in shaping ALA's principles and practices. The few blacks

who were given leadership positions in the association were often

considered mere tokens by their colleagues. "After a decade of heightened civil

rights activities, the race barriers have been lowered somewhat and blacks are

gradually gaining acceptance in libraries. Libraries, nevertheless, continue, to

a large extent, to mirror the larger society and, despite substantial gains, the

black librarian still finds only a limited role" (Alford, 1970, p. 131).

Efforts to organize the Black Caucus of the American Library Association

began in 1968 and gained momentum in 1969. It -was officially organized at the

Midwinter Conference in January 1970. The stated purposes of the ALA Black

Caucus are: (1) to call ALA's attention to the need to respond positively on

behalf of black members and the information needs of the black community; (2) to

provide equal opportunity for black members as candidates for ALA offices; (3)

to monitor ALA divisions, round tables, and committees regarding meeting the

needs of black librarians; (4) to promote wider participation of black

librarians at all levels of the profession and the association;

(5) to promote efforts for equitable representation for black librarians in

state associations and library advisory boards; (6) to facilitate library

service that meets the needs of black people; and (7) to encourage development

and dissemination of authoritative information resources about black people to

the larger community (ALA, Black Caucus, 1978, Foreword).

Black librarians knew that the decade of the 1960s was only a beginning,

and there was more work to be done to achieve their goals of true equality. The

Black Caucus was the answer:

With widespread support and an organizational commitment to the

professional interests of its members, such an organization could

effectively intervene in cases of abridgment of intellectual freedom as well

as give strong support to upgrading the status and working conditions of

librarians.... The Black Caucus offers the possibility of power within ALA

in order to call attention to the lack of career

opportunities for black librarians and the lack of an effective voice in the

affairs of the Association. (Wedgeworth, 1970, pp. 74-75)

And so it has. Over the next two decades, the Black Caucus was a voice of

solidarity for African-American librarians. As African-American librarians began

to move into the infrastructure of the American Library Association, and assume

leadership roles, employment and promotional opportunities for African-American

librarians in libraries throughout the nation increased. Supporting the library

needs of the African-American community is another area that has seen great

improvement but still requires more.

African-American librarians are greatly concerned about racism. At a time

When there is much concern about cultural diversity in our country, "in many

instances it appeared that around the country many organizations and

institutions had given up on their commitment to minorities. In addition, the

campus bigotry in many of our universities has motivated violence and has called

for an examination of the problem of hate speech as well as hate crimes that

have been hurled against not only African Americans but all minorities" (Josey,

1994, pp. 1-2).

The struggle to deinstitutionalize racism continues in our society as well

as in libraries and professional associations, which mirror the society at

large. Some progress has been made but not nearly enough. "Perhaps in the last

25 years the only change in racial attitudes, in the United States, is the

covert rather than overt nature of beliefs about blacks" (Biblo, 1994, p. 334).

Although racial taunts and indignities are no longer socially acceptable in

American society, racist outbreaks and hate crimes bespeak a more

covert level of racism. that has not been eradicated. Racism is poisonous,

whether subtle or blatant. "Subtle discrimination, often defended as being

unintended, lends itself to individual interpretations depending upon the

predisposition of the recipients. This form of discrimination is only slightly

less humiliating than the blatant version that often leaves its victim feeling

degraded and demoralized" (Williams, 1987, p. 157). The energies of the Black

Caucus have been somewhat redirected as some of the issues have

improved. Recruitment of new African American librarians to the profession

has been an ongoing concern and in 1988 emerged as a priority for the Black

Caucus. In the 1990s, the unprecedented competition for scarce resources has put

library services in African American and other minority communities at risk. The

Black Caucus continues to have the role of advocate for library service and

resources for the nation's African-American community. For African-American

librarians, the Black Caucus continues to be the place where they keep

community, network, and learn with others like themselves.

The Black Caucus has held two conferences in which African-American

Librarians have a chance to network, learn, keep community, and celebrate

culture. One concern African-American librarians addressed

at these conferences has been subject headings that ensure effective and

efficient retrieval of African-American collections (Bell, 1994, pp. 568, 570).

A third conference was held in 1997.

ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH LIBRARIES (AJL) AND THE JEWISH INFORMATION COMMITTEE

(JIC)

Many treatments of multiculturalism in libraries do not deal with Jews

either as patrons or as staff. This is not unique to librarianship.

Multiculturalism can be seen as empowering historically disenfranchised groups,

and Jews are often not regarded as being in this group. This attitude ignores

the history of anti-semitism in America, as exemplified by the scandal when a

Jew was not allowed to participate at the New York Library Week, which took

place at Melvil Dewey's Lake Placid Club (Wiegand, 1995, p.

361). The migration of Eastern European Jews coincided with the emerging

years of librarianship. During the century between then and the time that

awareness of the Holocaust made American anti-semitism significantly less

socially acceptable, many Jews encountered difficulty securing library jobs

(Wistrich, 1991, p. 115). Jews are also not recognized on census data because of

the separation of church and state, which raises the question of whether Jews

are an ethnic or a religious group. The answer depends on the respondent, as can

be seen from the two associations which serve Jewish-American librarians--the

Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) and the Jewish Information

Committee of the ALA Ethnic Materials and Information Exchange Round Table

(EMIERT--JIC).

The AJL is the largest and the oldest of the two organizations. It is the

product of a merger of the academic Judaica librarians of the Jewish Librarians

Association, established in 1946, and the Jewish Library Association, which goes

back to the 1950s and was composed of Synagogue and Jewish Community Center

librarians (Posner, 1991, p. 110). The two groups merged in 1965-1966, although

the organization recognizes the division of the two groups into a Research and

Special libraries Division as well as one for Synagogue, School and Community

Center (SSC) librarians. The over 1,000 members of the AJL are involved in man-,

projects regarding the profession. Communication is effected by the AJL Web

page, a listserv entitled Ha-Safran, and the bimonthly AJL NewsLetter, which

features brief reviews of recent Judaica. It also publishes a

peer-reviewed journal entitled Judaica Librarianship. Members of the

association have gathered at annual conferences and also meet in over a dozen

chapters throughout North America and Israel. Conferences feature presentations,

continuing education courses, and comradeship.

The AJL established standards and accredits SSC libraries. Both divisions

Also attempt to foster the publishing of quality materials on Jewish studies and

Jewish children's books by presenting several prestigious

Awards--three Sydney Taylor Awards, which recognize the best published

books for younger and older readers, and one which goes to a previously

unpublished manuscript. Since 1985, the AJL Reference Book Award

has been presented annually for the most outstanding Judaica reference

book, and the AJL Bibliography Award has recognized the best works in

that field since 1988. The AJL also seeks to recruit qualified Judaica

librarians through a scholarship and a program of conference mentoring.

Catalogers play an active role in the association with one serving as a

voting representative to the National Information Standards Organization 

with special attention to Hebrew and Yiddish language transliteration

(Posner, 1991, p. 134). The association seeks to eliminate bias from

Library of Congress (LC) and Dewey Decimal subject headings for Judaica

as well as providing assistance for libraries which use the Weine and Elazar

schemes for cataloging Judaica (Frischer, 1991, p. 161).

The Jewish Information Committee of ALA's Ethnic Materials and

Information Exchange Round Table is a much smaller group. It fights

discrimination and provides a gathering place for Jewish librarians at ALA

conferences. The committee and the AJL have been involved in political

struggles with the Library of Congress regarding discriminatory subject

headings and were involved with the political struggles over the proposed

exhibit at the 1984 California Library Association conference by a Holocaust

revisionist publisher, the fate of Jewish librarians in the USSR in

the 1970s, and the ALA resolution on Israeli censorship. Since 1995, it has

co-sponsored a program with the AJL to increase awareness of Judaica

librarianship. The JIC began as the Jewish Librarians Caucus in the 1970s

and issued a mimeographed newsletter for several years until it became a

committee of the EMIERT. This change was made in order to bring more

life into both organizations (D. Cohen, personal communication, March

29, 1997). Until this year, the organization was known as the Jewish Librarians

Committee.

THE ALA ETHNIC MATERIALS AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE ROUND TABLE

The ALA's round table which promotes multicultural library services

is the EMIERT, which began as a task force in the young ALA Social

Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) in 1972 and became a full round table

in 1982 (ALA EMIERT, n.d., p. 1-1). Unlike many other organizations,

the EMIERT focuses not on one ethnic or linguistic group. In a recent

newsletter article, editor David Cohen (1996) answered the question on

defining multiculturalism as: "`Multiethnic' wrapped up with `Multilingual.'

It reflects our concerns as professionals about reaching out into

the community to deal effectively with all ethnic groups. Some ethnic

groups need our attention more than others, but all come within our

purview of responsibility" (p. 1). Several committees foster the round

table's goals, and it presents the Gale Research/ EMIERT Multicultural

Award. Its quarterly newsletter also reviews ethnic books and prints

bibliographies.

EMIERT also is the home of the Jewish Information Committee, formerly

the Jewish Librarians Committee. An Armenian-American committee

is also being organized. EMIERT has invited other groups to come

under its umbrella, but they have chosen to maintain their independence.

THE ALA OFFICE FOR LITERACY AND OUTREACH SERVICES (OLOS)

Several of the aforementioned associations (AILA, APALA, BCALA,

CALA, and REFORMA) are affiliates of ALA. Many of these groups have

been active in working with the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach

Services (OLOS). According to APALA President, Kenneth Yamashita,

the OLOS Director, Satia Orange, "is determined to involve the affiliate

minority librarian associations, to which she is the liaison, in the setting

of priorities for the office and as resources for those seeking information

on library services to minority communities" (K. Yamashita, personal

communication, March 28, 1997). Yamashita believes that the increasing size

of the Asian/Pacific American population, as well as the activism of APALA

members within ALA, will encourage the association to address APALA's

concerns. One positive example of this was the acceptance of APALA's

decision that a minority affiliate association representative be included

on the ALA Executive Director Search Committee. Other examples include

the Diversity Council and the Spectrum Initiative (K. Yamashita,

personal communication, March 28, 1997).

The Spectrum Initiative is a draft proposal by ALA's Executive Director,

Elizabeth Martinez, to the ALA Executive Board to attract and retain

minority librarians. It suggests the establishment of a three-year program

involving five library and information science schools and fifty students

"representing the four largest ethnic minority populations--African

American, Asian Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic, and Native-American"

(Martinez, 1997, p. 1).

The current draft proposes a $5,000+ annual scholarship and an additional

$30,000 for each school to develop enrichment activities. The

initiative, which is not an implementation plan, contrasts the figure of

the above-named minorities representing 26 percent of the population

but only 10.5 percent of library school graduates in 1993-1995. To promote

retention and promotion of minority librarians, the initiative also

suggests annual leadership institutes for mid-career minority librarians

(Martinez, 1997, pp. 1, 2). Martinez (1997) posits the initiative as "a

model for education that can be transformed to other issues of diversity"

(p. 4). This proposal clearly reflects some of the influence of the ethnic

library associations. However, it is much too early to see how this will be

received in the association.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

The organizations referred to in this article have been briefly examined.

Further historical examination should be done. Additionally, other

associations such as the Korean American Librarians Association and the

Ukrainian Library Association of America merit examination. Future

researchers would be encouraged to compare the relationship between

the various groups and the larger field and consider the communication

among them. A comparison might be made to the ethnic associations in

other professions. Due to a scarcity of documentation available on some

of the ethnic library associations, more oral history recordings could be

made with the pioneers of these organizations. These organizations

should ensure that their records are preserved in the ALA Archives at the

University of Illinois or at other institutions to allow historians further

investigations.

CONCLUSION

Insensitivity to the needs of cultural and language minorities continues.

Bilingualism is often seen as a threat to American society, and English-only

legislation continues to be proposed. Racism is apparent even

among powerful national leaders (role models) in our nation. Newt

Gingrich, the speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives, said: "Allowing

bilingualism to continue to grow is very dangerous . . . . We should

insist on English as a common language" (Shogren, 1995, p. A13). Discrimination

has not ceased to exist in American society. Inequity exists in

the standards by which accomplishment is judged so that minorities are

held to a higher standard of achievement than their white counterparts.

The perception is that "there is more scrutiny of women and minorities

which is a lot of pressure. Any organization run by a minority is held to

greater standards. The demand is `show me how good you are'" (L.

Herrera, personal communication, February 11, 1997).

Multiculturalism represents a distinctive way of thinking about minorities.

Racial and ethnic minorities are entitled to recognition of their

culture and attainment of equality politically, socially, educationally, and

economically (Olshen, 1996, p. 2). The United States is a society full of

diversity, a tapestry of multiculturalism. This article demonstrates that in

the 1990s ethnic library associations still fill a need.

But racism, anti-semitism, and discrimination continue to rear their

ugly heads time and again in our society. "Racism is so universal in this

country, so widespread and deep-seated, that it is invisible because it is

so normal" (Chisholm, 1970, p. 133). Laws have not changed the hearts

and minds of men and women; exclusionary practices still contribute to

the underrepresentation of minorities (Nance-Mitchell, 1996, p. 410).

Racial discrimination is systemic and embedded within the policies and

practices of our institutional structures which mirror our nation's social

fabric. It is exemplified in most areas of American life including economic,

social, cultural, political, and educational.

Racism is a grave concern of ethnic library associations. It is an issue

of high priority. Until racial equality is achieved, racism continues to be

a motivating force for ethnic library associations to exist. When racial

and ethnic minorities receive the recognition of their culture and attainment

of political, social, educational, and economic equality to which

they are entitled, multiculturalism will be realized.

In the 1990s we are struggling to change the organizational policies

and practices which have a discriminatory impact and to change individual

behaviors and attitudes that reinforce racism. But we still have a

long way to go before policies of diversity and equity are operational in

the hearts and minds of most. "Until the United States comes fully to

grips with its most historic, endemic, and pervasive problem--the problem

of racism--it will be incapable of fashioning a real cultural diversity

climate throughout the land" (Josey, 1994, p. 2). We have not reached

the stage of cultural pluralism where value is placed on maintaining unique

ethnic and cultural heritages and is respected by the society at large.

Diversity must evolve from being a buzzword to being a keyword in

the philosophy, terminology, and activity of the American Library Association,

other library associations, libraries, and librarians throughout

the country (Liu, 1994, p. 73). As a start, cultural diversity programs have

been established in many libraries and associations. Many librarians have

participated in cultural diversity initiatives, and many minority librarians

have had the opportunity to lead some of those initiatives. But there is

also the strong sense that more lip service has been given than actual

implementation of positive change and that the commitment to

multiculturalism is weak. It is a long process but, until diversity is truly

incorporated as a strong value that most individuals will adopt, it will not

be realized.

Recruitment of new minorities to the profession is an ongoing process

in which all of the ethnic associations are involved. Although some

progress has been achieved, huge strides have not been made in attracting

ethnic minorities into the profession (McCook, 1993, pp. 36-37).

Doing so continues to be a priority for ethnic American library associations.

Ethnic associations provide a sense of community and networking

for their members. When a former president of BCALA was asked why

he joined that ethnic caucus, he said: "I found a group of people who

were fighting the same battles and had the same goals and aspirations for

themselves and the profession as I did" (S. Biddle, personal communication,

February 21, 1997). Many minority librarians feel that they get lost

in the larger associations such as ALA (Nelson, 1994, p. 38). In the ethnic

caucuses, opportunities are available to learn and exercise leadership

skills which can later be used in the various divisions, committees, and

round tables of the ALA. And each ethnic association and caucus is a

voice of unity for its constituents. This united voice can be used to effect

change, to teach others about the group, and to stand up for the needs of

that group. Until multiculturalism and cultural pluralism are institutionalized

as pervasive values, the need will continue for minority librarians

to have the support of being with others like themselves.

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