Multiculturalism in South African public libraries : a literature review

Abstract

One of the fundamental missions of public libraries in the twenty-first century is that of reaching out to all members of society. Based on a literature survey, this article reviews the situation around public libraries in a culturally diverse environment such as South Africa, and whether according to the authors under discussion, these libraries are taking into account the multicultural composition of their clients in the collections and services they offer. The article also examines the meaning of cultural diversity in the library and information field, and the implications of this multicultural reality with regard to the rendering of equitable public library services in South Africa. Finally, practical recommendations based on international best practice and the local context are made, which may assist South African public libraries to move towards a more equitable and representative approach in the collections and services they offer their diverse constituencies.