Dealing with an International Clientele: Communications, Diplomacy and Etiquette (Information Services Management Series)

This book is aimed at all librarians and information professionals working in culturally diverse environments, whether in an academic, public or commercial setting. It addresses the issues of communication, diplomatic etiquette and common courtesies from a wide range of cultures and of how to provide library services across cultural boundaries and languages. Each chapter clearly defines a different aspect and provides clear guidance and strategies for librarians to follow in their everyday work. The book is packed with advice on how to deal with many of the situations, which arise as the result of different cultural backgrounds and language. Review text: "Dies ist ein kompetentes Buch, gut recherchiert, aufgebaut, gegliedert und erschlossen und in flüssigem Stil geschrieben. ... Merediths Dealing with an international clientele ist eine gute Grundlage für ein Lehrbuch für die bibliothekarische Ausbildung oder eine Handreichung für den praktizierenden Bibliothekar. Dem Aufruf der Autorin 'Happy reading' (S.221) ist unbedingt Folge zu leisten." (B.I.T. online, Wiesbaden, Nr. 1, 2006) Frontmatter Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter One. The Problem Chapter Two. Welcome Chapter Three. Respect Chapter Four. Speak Slowly and Distinctly Chapter Five. Communication Chapter Six. Etiquette Chapter Seven. Diplomacy Chapter Eight. Learning versus Teaching Chapter Nine. Cultures of the World, A-I Chapter Ten. Cultures of the World, J-W Backmatter Designed for information professionals, this book sets out how to provide an effective library service to patrons from different countries and ethnic backgrounds, and covers communications with patrons whose mother tongue is not English, as well as the differences in cultural etiquette