Managing Religious Diversity in the LiManaging Religious Diversity in the Librarybrary

Joseph RomainMohamed Taher

Ontario Multifaith Council for Spiritual and Religious Care, 789 Don Mills Suite 208, Toronto Ontario Canada, M3C 1T5

(416) 422-1490www.library.omc.ca

February 3, 2006 Session # 1027 9:05 am-10:20 am

Services OMC Provides to its ClientsServices OMC Provides to its Clients

Situation Action Result

Wine in prison Survey of Faith groups, analysis of results*

Report

Head wear for Sikhs

Research study, analysis of results*

Report

Medication during fast for Muslim inmates

Consultation with experts, summary of the results*

Report

Ten Commandments for Promoting Religious Diversity in Libraries

Ten Commandments for Promoting Religious Diversity in Libraries

• Develop program for librarians to promote tolerance and accommodation

• Document religious information needs of the community you serve

• Recruit faith-based volunteers to work with diverse groups

• Prepare a diversity sensitivity checklist for librarians • In all community programs add spirit-de-corps

Ten Commandments for Promoting Religious Diversity in Libraries continued…

Ten Commandments for Promoting Religious Diversity in Libraries continued…

• Post reading lists of items frequently read by religious groups

• Create analytical catalogs to foster diversity in all possible ways

• Build community profiles based on religious diversity to intensify outreach programs

• Survey satisfaction among these users and post results

• Document and publish success stories of working on diversity issues