Cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity is the common heritage of humankind and should be cherished and preserved for the benefit of all.  It is a source for the exchange, innovation, creativity, and peaceful coexistence among peoples. Therefore, libraries of all types should reflect, support and promote cultural and linguistic diversity at the international, national, and local levels, and thus work for cross-cultural dialogue and active citizenship.
As libraries serve diverse communities, they function as learning, cultural, community and information centres.  In addressing cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity, library services are driven by the commitment to the principles of fundamental freedoms, openness and equality of participation, dialogue to promote respect, recognizing cultural identity and values and equity of access to information and knowledge for all.
The text above is more or less a quotation of the Multicultural Library Manifesto introduction. The introduction outlines the needs and necessity of guidelines and strategic tools in the management of libraries worldwide. The lecture aims to give a brief presentation of the principles of addressing cultural and linguistic diversity; outline the missions and core activities of multicultural library services and finally discuss how to implement the Manifesto, locally and internationally.