Diversity fair today in main library

It may be a little more difficult than usual to study in the library today. \nThe normally quiet facility will host martial arts demonstrations, Hawaiian dancers, Persian folk songs, classical Indian dancers, folk music, Latin dancing, break dancing, Korean drummers, belly dancers and other ethnic performances throughout the day as part of the second annual Diversity Fair.\nThe all-day event in the main lobby, organized by the Library Diversity Committee, starts at 11 a.m and ends at 7 p.m. and features food, performing groups, information booths, movies and more. \nDuring the event, 30 booths from different cultural groups will be set up, providing guests with information on the organizations' histories and upcoming activities.\nKathy McCarnes, volunteer for the Library Diversity Committee, said various organizations jumped at the chance to participate in this year's event.\nAccording to the Office of Diversity, 9.2 percent of students are minorities and 12.27 percent of faculty members are black, Asian, Latino or Native American. McCarnes said the goal of the event is to make people aware of the diverse community on campus.\nAmong the participating groups are the Office of Affirmative Action, the Chinese Student and Scholar Association and the Russian and East European Center.\nIn addition, four tables of subject area librarians will feature their collections of literature from around the globe. \n"The day is about highlighting the diversity of campus so students understand we have a wealth of information," McCarnes said. "We also want to introduce them to the different diverse organizations around the campus and community." \nFitri Lamm, assistant at the Faculty and Staff for Student Excellence Mentoring Program, an organization that provides mentors to international incoming freshman, said the group will have an informational booth all day, displaying brochures, photos and applications for new mentors.\nFASE also participated in the event last year. \n"Like all of the other groups that will be there, we want to get our name out and let people know what we offer," Lamm said. "We also want to help celebrate this wonderful day of diversity."\nInternational food and drink from different regions of the world will also be provided so guests can get a taste of other nationalities.\n"It's an opportunity for students to try new and different things," McCarnes said. \nEntertainment will also be provided every half hour throughout the day. Kathy Marlett, a librarian who also serves on the diversity committee, said she is excited about this year's lineup.\n"We're hoping the entertainment will give guests a little bit of everything from around the world," Marlett said.\nMarlett said she encourages students to come and go as they please throughout the day. The last performance will begin at 6:30 p.m.\n"The event is guaranteed to be excellent as usual," Marlett said. "Even if guests only learn one thing about another culture, it's a chance to learn something new and different."\n-- Contact general assignments editor Lori Geller at lfgeller@indiana.edu.