Barbara S. Miller Multicultural Children's Literature Collection : Collection Development Policy

The Collection will maintain the somewhat traditional focus on “people of non white background” but also reflecting diverse cultures, the people and their perspectives. Important to any multicultural approach is the inclusion of materials which acknowledge, appreciate and support differences in cultures; a conviction that inclusiveness of differences enriches the work and the quality of an academic community; and, the treatment of diverse components of all culture such as gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affirmation, socio-economic class, age, learning style, and disabilities.

Our working definition of “diversity/multicultural” is ‘otherness,’ or those human qualities that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong, yet are present in other individuals and groups.

Primary dimensions are the following: age ethnicity, gender, physical abilities / qualities, race and sexual orientation.

Secondary dimensions of diversity are those that can be changed, and include,but are not limited to: educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, parental status, religious beliefs, and work experiences. University of Maryland Diversity Database)

Treatment of the subject:

The collection is comprised of children’s and young adult literature:

1. The genres collected are comprised of both fiction and non-fiction.
2. Non-print media is not intentionally acquired except by Media Department or Music Library
3. The Art Library collects the works of a select list of children’s authors and illustrators.
4. Printed curriculum materials are collectible, but not kits.