Rex McGregor, Collection Librarian (Arts) attended the National Forum on Public Libraries and Diversity, Theme: Kia ora neighbour, People in your neighbourhood on 23 August 2009 at Wellington Central Library
This year there were 31 registrations from 20 organisations from Whangarei to Timaru, with a large Wellington contingent. The Auckland region was represented by librarians from Auckland, North Shore and Waitakere.
The more intimate nature of the forum resulted in lively discussions and provided opportunities for networking.
Sessions focussed on a variety of successful multicultural projects.
Key quote: “We’re the living room of the city.” - Parrill Stribling, Palmerston North City Libraries.
Building Bridges: Information to integration
Young refugee authors of ‘Earthless Trees’ spoke about their journey to New Zealand and how the library has made a contribution to their settlement.
Speakers: Hajar Ali, Samson Sahele and Shamim Homayun
Samson Sahele, formerly a journalist in Ethiopia, explained how he conducted a series of ten writing workshops organised by the Wellington Refugees as Survivors Trust for new migrants to share their stories. Four students of the original eight contributed stories to the resulting book Earthless Trees that was published a few months ago. Samson introduced one of the writers, Hajar Ali, an 18-year-old Afghani refugee, who had suffered discrimination in Iran and Pakistani. Together with her parents she arrived in New Zealand when she was 14 and learnt English in 6 months. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study in a safe environment and considered the library her "second home." When she read an excerpt from one of her stories she impressed the forum not only with her command of the language but also with her confidence and presentation skills. Ada Nally, the Muliticultural Community Customer Specialist at Wellington City Libraries, commented on how Hajar was a perfect example of how a young Islamic migrant can enhance New Zealand society.
First Voices
Understanding the importance of maintaining a child’s first language on a foreign land is not difficult but ‘how’ to do it is.
Gunhild Litwin spoke about the project ‘First Voices’ that helps children learn and maintain their first language.
Speaker: Gunhild Litwin
Massey University – Adviser ( Learning Languages)
The forum heard how German children in New Zealand often grow up without exposure to their own language. Gunhild Litwin frankly stated that many German immigrants become so well-integrated here that the German embassy doesn't know how many Germans are in the country. She described New Zealand as "shockingly monolingual" and said she once "felt bad about speaking German to a point where I stopped doing it." After the demise of the Palmerston North Goethe Institute, she and like-minded German mothers, determined to "get out of the club/society rut", began craft activity sessions for children at the local library. These gatherings provided opportunity for conversations and storytimes in the children's native language. This was a successful example of how a customer initiative can make use of the library as a venue.
Migrant Employment Project
Topic: This initiative helps participants gain useful local work experience in roles within Wellington City Council. Migrants and refugees bring diversity into the workplace and the community we serve.
Speaker: Amanda Golding
Migrant Work/Diversity Advisor WCC
Amanda Golding introduced four young Asian women who have successfully moved from the Migrant and Refugee Work Experience Programme into permanent employment by Wellington City Council as librarians. Each of the women spoke about how valuable the assistance had been in improving their "employability" by teaching them essential skills for the New Zealand workplace. We also learned how the Library has benefited from having such culturally diverse staff members.
Workshop: New Diversity projects in Public libraries
Topic: Public libraries in new Zealand are taking more and more steps to engage with culturally and linguistically diverse population for building community participation. Participants shared new projects from their libraries.
Facilitator: Dr. Parrill Stribling
Palmerston North City Libraries
This brainstorming session produced many of the ideas listed below. A major undercurrent was the current economic situation, which may have contributed to the lower turnout at the forum this year. Concerns were expressed that multicultural initiatives are particularly vulnerable to cuts in service.
Practical ideas for libraries
- Develop partnerships with other organisations
e.g. Schools. Palmerston North Normal Intermediate compiled a magazine of articles by migrant students whose first language is other than English or Maori. The library helped by publishing copies for each contributor. - Provide venues for community activities and events
e.g. Chinese senior gatherings
Chinese knitting group
Chinese book group
French conversation group
German Basteln (crafting with children)
Displays
Art exhibitions
Music/dance/theatre performances
Ethnic celebrations
National costume fashion shows - Actively invite community groups to use library spaces
e.g. through advertisements in local foreign language newspapers - Provide work experience for new migrants
e.g. Wellington City Council created jobs in libraries for new migrants in the Migrant Employment Project to gain work experience. Several participants subsequently acquired permanent library positions. (Note: this initiative was established before the current economic downturn. The Ministry of Social Development has no funds to extend the programme.) - Promote awareness of migrant and refugee issues
e.g. writing workshops or competitions encouraging new immigrants to share their stories - Provide catalogue and self-check information in a variety of languages
- Provide orientation tours or self-guided audiotours to the library in optional languages
- Maintain cultural awareness training for staff
- Promote exposure to first languages
e.g. storytimes, poetry readings, songs, discussions, debates
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