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DISCOVER why some Arab residents may be hesitant to use library services -- what cultural values impact the way Arab residents view the public library? DISUCSS how to assess the needs of your Arab residents and design library services to meet those needs PRACTICE strategies for building strong relationships with Arab patrons EXPLORE other ways to increase library use by Arab residents BACKGROUNDSome of the countries Arab patrons come from include: Pakistan - Turkey - Saudi Arabia - Armenia - Iran - Jordan - Syria - Egypt - Afghanistan - Eritrea -and SomaliaThis course also addresses Muslim patrons. Muslim and Arab identities are separate cultural identities (a patron may be an Arab Christian, for example), but they often overlap.PRESENTERS:CATHERINE POPOWITS, Cross-Cultural ConsultantIn her fifteen years of training, facilitating, and consulting, Diversity Training & Consulting, Inc. founder and president Catherine Popowits has repeatedly proven that diverse and inclusive work environments give organizations a competitive edge. Catherine develops workplace cultures that value and respect the perspectives, knowledge and contributions of all employees so that organizations can maximize productivity and provide excellent customer service. Catherine has worked with over 15,000 employees at telecommunications, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing organizations throughout the United States and in seven Latin American countries. She has provided training programs on the differences between Latin American and North American cultures, communication between men and women, and preventing sexual harassment. She has coached North American executives leading management teams in Mexico and Central and South America, guided corporate diversity councils, and consulted in the production of diversity videos. She has also trained Latin American immigrants in the U.S. workplace and Latin American engineers in their native countries. Catherine’s intercultural interest has shaped her career. Prior to establishing Diversity Training and Consulting, Inc., Catherine provided cultural and language training for Mexican immigrants in Chicago, taught job skills to Puerto Rican residents, and facilitated an adult literacy program with the Peace Corps in Honduras, Central America. She also lived in San Juan del Rio, Mexico and Barcelona, Spain. Catherine holds a M.A. from the University of Chicago specializing in U.S. – Latin American relations and a B.A. from Knox College in Spanish Literature and Business Administration. AT&T, the University of Chicago Hospitals, The Northern Trust, and Inland Steel are among her oldest clients. She speaks regularly at national conferences, has been published in the Total Quality Review and provided perspectives on planning and implementing diversity initiatives on “Ask an Expert,” on WCIU-TV in Chicago.SAFFIYA SHILLO has been educating Americans on Arab and Muslim cultures for over 15 years. She has worked extensively with police officers and mental health professionals in the Chicago area and served as Director of Ethnic Affairs for the State of Illinois' Office of Lieutenant Governor. As an educator and leader in the Arab community, Saffiya has taught Arab women how to use public institutions, including pubic libraries, and counseled them on domestic violence and sexual assault. Her other leadership roles include Board Member of the Palestinian American Women's Society, President of the Palestinian American Congress-Chicago Chapter, and National Board member of the American Task Force on Palestine. She has also served as Director of the Arab American Institute's Chicago office. Saffiya draws on her experience of having lived on the West Bank to contribute to Jewish/Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. She gives presentations to national organizations on strategies and methods to achieve peace through dialogue, edits the National Arab American Times Newspaper, and writes for publications that circulate nationally and internationally: Muslim Voices and the Arab Writer’s Syndicate.
Register by: 10/30/2009
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Notes A minimum of 17 registrations must be received by 14 days prior to the program to avoid cancelation.MLS has a 48 hours cancellation policy. Members must contact MLS 48 hours before the event. You are responsible for payment if you do not cancel within that time.
Categories: Diversity, Consulting & CE
This event is sponsored by Metropolitan Library System.
Last day to cancel registrations is: 9/1/2009
Questions? Please contact Yvonne Riley.
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