Libraries share a perception of embracing and providing for all users. However, they also share a common philosophical stance shaped by librarians’ individual discursive formations and the dominant cultural hegemony that values some users over others. Latinos constitute one of the fastestâgrowing, nondominant populations in the United States, and the literature suggests that libraries do not always serve them adequately. This was reinforced by interviews with seven Latino undergraduate students that suggest ambiguous feelings toward libraries and a strong need for some sort of cultural reinforcement. This study of users’ perceptions of libraries may help librarians and policy makers consider more pluralistic approaches to library services.
BT - Library Quarterly LA - English N2 -Libraries share a perception of embracing and providing for all users. However, they also share a common philosophical stance shaped by librarians’ individual discursive formations and the dominant cultural hegemony that values some users over others. Latinos constitute one of the fastestâgrowing, nondominant populations in the United States, and the literature suggests that libraries do not always serve them adequately. This was reinforced by interviews with seven Latino undergraduate students that suggest ambiguous feelings toward libraries and a strong need for some sort of cultural reinforcement. This study of users’ perceptions of libraries may help librarians and policy makers consider more pluralistic approaches to library services.
PY - 2006 SP - 456 EP - 80 T2 - Library Quarterly TI - The Library in the Lives of Latino College Students VL - 76 ER -