Libraries and Cultural Diversity: Comparative Study of Multicultural Library Practices in the Philippines and Sri Lanka

Abstract

Academic libraries contribute to inclusivity through equitable access to information, representation of diverse cultural perspectives, and responsiveness to the needs of multicultural communities. This study examined and compared multicultural library practices in academic libraries in the Philippines and Sri Lanka from the perspectives of library users and library personnel across five dimensions: collections, services and programs, staff competencies, policies and institutional practices, and community engagement.

The study employed a mixed-methods convergent parallel research design. Quantitative data were collected from library users through structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were gathered from library personnel through open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis.

Academic libraries in both countries incorporated multicultural principles into their collections, services, staff competencies, policies, and institutional practices. In the Philippines, multicultural librarianship was primarily associated with cultural representation, preservation of local knowledge, and the visibility of diverse cultural identities. In Sri Lanka, inclusivity was more closely associated with language accessibility and equitable access to information across diverse linguistic communities. Inclusive collections, supportive staff-user interactions, equitable services, and institutional support contributed to perceptions of inclusivity, while challenges remained in resource development, staff preparedness, community engagement, and institutional capacity.

Multicultural librarianship is context-dependent and requires approaches that respond to the cultural, linguistic, and institutional characteristics of the communities served. An integrated approach to multicultural librarianship remains important in supporting inclusive and culturally responsive academic library environments.