One of the key philosophies of libraries is to foster cultural connections, meaning they provide opportunities for a broad range of people and groups to connect in meaningful ways.
Accomplishing this is a lot like making a different dish for everyone in your household at supper time.
Libraries attempt to meet the needs of a very complex group of people, who have a variety of special interests and needs.
Come to Airdrie Public Library (APL) any day of the week and you’ll see a beautiful microcosm of the community we live in.
You’ll hear multiple languages being spoken and observe a diverse wardrobe that reflects our community’s many cultures, and you’ll see children of diverse ethnic groups playing and learning together.
All this togetherness requires understanding and being empathetic to those who may not look like, talk like, or think like you.
This ability to empathize is one of the cornerstones of modern human civilization and is something that must be taught to children by parents and caregivers through our actions and words.
Here at APL, we are offering a workshop on Oct. 15 in partnership with Wren Community Services called Raising Socially and Culturally Conscious Children.
Yes, the title is a mouthful, but this two-hour workshop looks at best practices for teaching the children in our lives how to be racially, culturally, and socially responsive.
Wren Community Services is an Indigenous led initiative that offers workshops and parenting programming rooted in cultural responsiveness, accountability, and authentic connection.
Facilitated by Wren founder Bree Clark, the program will explore personal and familial values to help you be intentional in raising your children to be empathetic and show up for others in safe, authentic ways.
Building bridges between language, culture, religion, and other differences creates the understanding that the whole of us is greater than the parts of us.
Register online for this program at www.airdriepubliclibrary.ca.
