Meeting the needs of Indigenous library users
Council’s Library is running a pilot program called Indigenous Access. This project aims to meet the specific needs of Indigenous patrons and increase their understanding of the library’s services.
Averaging 600 to 800 visitors a day, a recent survey found that Indigenous clients make up 30 per cent of this figure and of that, 30 per cent are from outlying communities. Plans are under way to develop appropriate programs for current users and establish networks with other agencies to promote increased usage. Specific initiatives of this project include the following.
- Progressively marking non fiction titles with Aboriginal content to easily identify them.
- Establishing a ‘drop in’ holiday program.
- Working with Aboriginal communities to introduce them to locally produced library resources.
- Developing relationships with the Toy Library and involving students on CDEP Childcare courses.
- Developing internal policies on acceptable Library protocol.
- Negotiating with educational institutions to provide a pick up service for school age children visiting the library during term time.
- Applying for funding to create and furnish an area in the library to house specific resources for Indigenous patrons.
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