Understanding cultures, and IFLA's Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) core activity
| Pages | 296-305 |
| Date | 01 April 2005 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/00220410510585232 |
| Published date | 01 April 2005 |
| Author | Paul Sturges |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
SPECULATIONS IN DOCUMENTATION
Understanding cultures, and
IFLA’s Freedom of Access to
Information and Freedom of
Expression (FAIFE) core activity
Paul Sturges
Chair of the IFLA FAIFE Committee (Freedom of Access to Information and
Freedom of Expression), and Department of Information Science,
Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
Abstract
Purpose – Aims to explore an alternative approach to library and information service in
multicultural communities, based on the principles of IFLA’s Freedom of Access to Information and
Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) Committee.
Design/methodology/approach – Literature-based analysis of current approaches to multicultural
services and the basis for a different approach.
Findings – The need in information and library services for multicultural communities is often
described as if it is solely for members of minority communities to be able to obtain materials in their
own languages and cultural traditions. A more considered view stresses the need for access to richly
informative resources so that all members of a multicultural society can move towards a deeper
understanding of each other. IFLA’s FAIFE initiative implies more than just a campaign against the
suppression and censorship of information and communication. It implies creating conditions for
information access unhindered by prejudices, misconceptions and inadequate competences. FAIFE’s
role in facilitating removal of restrictions, combating suppression of information, fostering rights of
access and supporting the development of information competences in all communities and in the
information professionals who serve them, is potentially a major contributor to the enhancement of fair
and harmonious relations in multicultural communities.
Research limitations/implications – There is no new research in the paper: it builds on sources
already published.
Practical implications – A modified approach to multicultural library and information services
based on FAIFE principles.
Originality/value – Addresses providers of multicultural services in libraries.
Keywords Multiculturalsocieties, Libraries, Informationservices
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
There is one way to understand another culture. Living it. Move into it, ask to be tolerated as
a guest, learn the language. At some point understanding may come. It will always be
wordless (Hoeg, 1992).
If, as library and information workers, we seriously want to understand and serve
people, whatever their culture,Hoeg’s advice (put into the mouth of Miss Smilla) may be
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is available at The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister www.emeraldinsight.com/0022-0418.htm
JDOC
61,2
296
Received 1 March 2004
Revised 29 September 2004
Accepted 5 October 2004
Journal of Documentation
Vol. 61 No. 2, 2005
pp. 296-305
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0022-0418
DOI 10.1108/00220410510585232
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