Cultural collisions and bridging the gap between “don't stare” and care

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize and provide some insights into the changes occurring in the library field, focusing on the need to become multi‐culturally competent to address these changes and in helping to bridge gaps between diverse communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates various learning, teaching and communicating styles among cultures. It focuses on using the human experience in general to highlight and bring to the forefront the similarities that humans share rather than what drives them apart.

Findings

Many libraries, grassroots and more established organizations are struggling to achieve common ground and inclusiveness as a sustainable institutionalized work environment. Libraries, by nature, can play a leading role in these steps towards progress.

Research limitations/implications

The nature of the topic and the fact that it is unproductive to treat new views and social changes with old styles of thinking, approaches and solutions, results in difficulties when conformity to style or research methods is mandatory. Trying to box the human experience in scientific or quantified measures negate change and inclusion.

Originality/value

This paper suggests ways by which libraries and other organizations, in multicultural societies, can adapt their view points, work styles, by being open to change and valuing and respecting the different in order to devise new institutionalized measures that encompass all view points and values.

Citation

Kanafani Elturk, G. (2008), "Cultural collisions and bridging the gap between “don't stare” and care", New Library World, Vol. 109 No. 11/12, pp. 574-583. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800810921377