1. Role of Multicultural Library and Information Services to Strengthen Social Inclusion and Intercultural Communication: An Opportunity for the Foreign Residents in Turkey Esin Sultan Oğuz Hacettepe University Department of Information Management EuroMed Forum for Young Researchers, 13-15 April 2011, Istanbul, Turkey
2. Outline Multicultural Europe & Cultural Challenges EU Policy on Social Inclusion LLP & Adult Education Impact of LIS* on social inclusion & intercultural communication Illustrations from Europe Multicultural LIS for foreign residents in Turkey * Library and Information Services
3. Current Population Trends in EU Total number of non-nationals 31,9 million by 2009 6,4% of total EU population 11,9 million citizens of another member state Turkish citizens are the biggest group of non-nationals 2,4 million (or 7,5% of all foreigners in EU) Over the past eight years 10,2 million increasement Foreign population is younger than the national population EU population was 40,6 years old Foreigners were 34,3 years old
5. Multiculturalism Diversity Social Inclusion Cultural Integration Civic participation Intercultural dialogue Mutual understanding Challenges…
6. What is social inclusion? ‘a process which ensures… opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life and enjoy a standard of living and well being that is considered normal in the society in which they live.
7. There are 4 long-term strategic objectives of EU education and training policies: Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality; Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training; Promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship; Enhancing creativity and innovation, including entrepreneurship, at all levels of education and training. EU Policy on Social Inclusion Through Lifelong Learning & Adult Education
8. EU Policy on Social Inclusion Through Lifelong Learning & Adult Education (2) With a Social Inclusion policy though education & training EU aims: to improve the attractiveness of and access to adult learning provide approaches to integrate or reintegrate marginalised and disadvantaged citizens into society motivating individual learners to commit to learning
9. Social and Cultural Meeting Place: Public Libraries The local gateway to... knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision- making and cultural development of the individual and social groups. (UNESCO/IFLA 1994)
10. Multicultural Library They function aslearning, cultural, and information centres. Freedom and equity of access to information and knowledge for all, in the respect of cultural identity and values. (UNESO/IFLA, 2001)
11. Who Needs Library & Information Services Traditionally 4 groups of people are underserved Immigrant minorities People searching forassylum Migrant workers National minorities
12. Public Bodies’ Active Role in LIS IFLA’s Role Section on Library Services to Multicultural Populations IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto “A gateway to a cultural diverse society in dialogue” Guidelines for Library Services to Multicultural communities, (3rd ed., 2009)
13. Why Multicultural LIS are important? «Each individual in our global society has the right to access a full range of library and information services.» without discrimination based on cultural and linguistic heritage provide in appropiate languages and scripts broad range of materials and services reflecting all communities and needs employ staff to reflect the diversity
14. Inputs of the multicultural libraries Multicultural libraries are.. promoting awareness encouraging linguistic diversity facilitating the harmonious coexistence of several languages, safeguarding linguistic and cultural heritage supporting inclusion and participation
15. Inputs of the multicultural libraries (2) Encouraging information literacy in the digital age promoting linguistic diversity in cyberspace; encouraging universal access to cyberspace; supporting the exchange of knowledge and best practices with regard to cultural pluralism. These inputs meets with the LL & AE competences
16. The European Framework for Key Competences for Lifelong Learning: Communication in the mother tongue Communication in foreign languages Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology Digital competence Learning to learn Social and civic competences Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship Cultural awareness and expression EU Key Competences
21. A Study on Foreign residents in Didim In collaboration with Prof. Kurbanoğlu It’s on identifying basic information needs of the European residents who live in Didim a small town located in southern Turkey near Aydin Survey conducted to 77 residents who are living in Didim Results will be presented addressing to theimportance of Information Literacy in multicultural societies in August 2011- 77th IFLA General Conference & Assembly in San Juan Puerto Rico It’s a background study for a Multicultural Library Project in Didim.
22. A Study on Foreign residents in Didim(2) Basic information needs are categorized as: Information Sources Library Services Health Information Local diseases Health insurance Emergency Services for disable Things to do after child birth Things to do after death Physiological support Education Sports & Recreation Practical Information
23. Some highlights from the European residents in Didim Between the 77 respondents 62,3% are in 50-59 years old 83% has high school diploma 88% of them stays more than 6 months in a year. 41,7% of them have been living in Didim for 5-7 years 45% indicated that their Turkish language level are pre-intermediate 48% intermediate level computer competence 49,4% pre-intermediate level internet competence 37,7% intermediate level library using competence
24. Current situation of the public library Library collection consists of 13,000 books It circulates among its 3200 members 60 (1.8%) of patrons are foreign 500 (3.8%) books are in languages other than Turkish lack of communication between the foreign population in Didim and the public library due to… absence of non-Turkish resources, technological mismatch, poor publicity, insufficient/unknowledgeable professional staff.
25. Bridging the gap between expectation and reality, especially in terms of collection development policy development of mutual understanding and tolerance among the various ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups in Turkey cross-cultural exchange to share their traditions, learn more about one another, and exchange experiences sponsor leisure activities, continuing education courses, and provide immigrants with access to useful legal information identifying and tracking the changing needs of immigrant communities Expectations
26. Conclusion Libraries play an important role in formal and informal learning by… supporting newcomers in finding their way around, making people feel at home and creating a basis for understanding between different groups. The library can be an instrument by adding to the awareness of cultural diversity and providing information to understand differences. Turkey should integrate multicultural library services to the current public library system.
27. Thanks for listening… Esin Sultan Oğuz http://www.esinsultan.info EuroMed Forum for Young Researchers, 13-15 April 2011, Istanbul, Turkey
