Origins and Attitudes:

Abstract

A critically important component for all new and continuing reference librarian training is the rapidly changing demographic climate at academic library reference desks. Public libraries have historically been the primary public service agencies dealing with diverse clientele. Academic librarians must rapidly catch up with them, as well as with other fields - business, education, social work - for whom the word "multicultural" is already integrated into their lexicons. Isolated academic libraries throughout the country are pioneering with public service training programs that reflect these dramatic changes in clientele. Further, general suggestions are put forth outlining the significance of shared goals, administrative support, and an understanding of the issues as necessary prerequisites to any multicultural training program.