The anti-minority sentiments that permeate all levels of society. The threats to affirmative action cripple the ability of institutions to offer minority scholarships and to hire ethnic librarians, who are still underrepresented in the profession. Libraries can continue to be at the forefront in counteracting divisive viewpoints by offering multicultural programs that reduce barriers and increase cultural understanding. Ethnic librarians must break out of the box and dare to imagine and create a new life for our communities. The Benton Foundation report, Buildings, Books and Bytes, states that there is greater support for libraries from minority populations.
Minorities are also more supportive of the library's role to provide access to on-line resources.
This support should be leveraged to increase the bargaining power for librarians when requesting funds for enhanced services. Grassroots approaches are effective. Successful politicians listen and respond to the collective voices of constituents they represent. Individually we must be involved in our communities. We must become joiners.