National Forum Report 2006 - Auckland Council · 8/22/2006 · National Forum On Public Libraries and Diversity 2006 Organised by Waitakere Library & Information Services ... 10 Sacha

National Forum

On Public Libraries and Diversity

2006 Organised by

Waitakere Library & Information Services in conjunction with the

Human Rights Commission

Held at

ARCHIVES NEW ZEALAND 10 Mulgrave Street

WELLINGTON Monday, 21 August 2006

9:00am - 4:00pm

Report prepared by Shivangi Pradhan

Multicultural Services Librarian Waitakere Library & Information Services

Report Prepared by: Shivangi Pradhan 1

Contents Introduction....................................................................................................................... 2

Programme........................................................................................................................ 4

Attendance ........................................................................................................................ 5

Whakatau........................................................................................................................... 6

Welcome and introductions............................................................................................. 6

Presentations.................................................................................................................... 7

A decade of Multicultural Library Services: The Waitakere library experience............... 7

Presenter: Shivangi Pradhan (Multicultural Services Librarian, Waitakere Library &

Information Services)................................................................................................... 7

Mono-cultural myths: How libraries are reflecting the widening cultural diversity in

Christchurch.................................................................................................................... 7

Presenter: Jill Richardson (Ethnic Services Advocate, Christchurch City.................... 7

Libraries) .....................................................................................................................7

Address by Race Relations Commissioner.................................................................... 8

Workshop One .................................................................................................................. 9

Topic one - Sharing experiences and ideas to engage diverse communities.................. 9

Topic Two – Sharing experiences and ideas to use technology to enhance and extend

Multicultural Library Services ........................................................................................ 11

Workshop Two................................................................................................................ 13

Topic Three - Develop foreign language collection: When, Where, What and How...... 13

Topic Four - Multicultural Services Librarians Network ................................................. 14

Workshop Photos........................................................................................................... 16

Keynote speaker............................................................................................................. 17

Topic - Library services to culturally and linguistically Diverse Communities in New

South Wales.................................................................................................................. 17

Appendix - 1 .................................................................................................................... 18

Oriana Acevedo’s..........................................................................................................18

Presentation Slides ....................................................................................................... 18

Appendix - 2 .................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix - 3 .................................................................................................................... 23


INTRODUCTION

Waitakere Library & Information Services, in conjunction with the Human Rights

Commission, organised the first national forum on ‘Public Libraries and Diversity’ to

discuss the role of public libraries in diverse communities as a part of the New Zealand

Diversity Forum held on 21-22 August 2006 in Wellington.

Seventy-three local authorities in New Zealand provide public library services. Public

libraries provide materials and services relevant to the information needs of their

communities in an open and equitable way. They strengthen the communities by providing

opportunities for ‘Life Long Learning’ and contribute to the cultural well-being of society

and to the relevant desired outcomes of Councils’ Long Term Community Council Plans.

In the last two decades New Zealand has become increasingly ethnically diverse. Public

libraries have responded to these demographic shifts by offering multicultural collections

and providing a range of new programmes. They also mark various cultural days by

organising display of books and artefacts that provide an opportunity to foster intercultural

understanding among diverse communities. Some local authorities also support and

celebrate diversity on a larger scale by organising events such as the Chinese New Year

(lantern festival), Diwali, Moon festival and Pacifika festival.

In 1995, Waitakere Library & Information Services was the first public library in the country

to recognise and introduce Multicultural Services in response to the growing diverse

population of the city. Since then, many other public libraries have also taken steps in

developing this kind of service. The multicultural service is provided by developing foreign

language collections and outreach programmes. Some libraries also provide access to the

information relevant to the settlement needs of new migrants by publishing useful

resources. Libraries also work in collaboration with other service providers such as

educational institutions, healthcare centres etc. In sum, public libraries recognise and help

to strengthen the cultural diversity.

The nature and the extent of Multicultural Services provided by the public libraries differ.

The scale of these services vary mainly due to the demand created by the demographic

composition of the region, priorities for other projects or the scarcity of resources.

Although the challenges faced by individual libraries differ, it was in the common interest


of all librarians to come together to share ideas and experiences. The New Zealand

Diversity Action Forum, supported by the Human Rights Commission provided this

opportunity. Although the public libraries support the New Zealand Diversity Action

Programme in many ways, this symposium offered a chance to network and consolidate

our action plans for the future. To this end Waitakere Library & Information Services

became a catalyst in bringing interested libraries together under the umbrella of the New

Zealand Diversity Forum.

The workshops were conducted to initiate discussion on the challenging areas of

Multicultural Services.

Oriana Acevedo, Multicultural Consultant of State Library of New South Wales, Australia

was the guest speaker for the forum. She addressed on the development of the library

services for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in New South Wales.


PROGRAMME

Programme: 9.00 am Whakatau Ihaia Biddle - Kaumatua, New Zealand Archives 9.05- 9.30am Welcome and Introductions 9.30- 10.00 am A decade of Multicultural Library Services: The Waitakere library experience

Presenter: Shivangi Pradhan Multicultural Services Librarian, Waitakere Library & Information Services 10.05 -10.35am Mono-cultural myths: How libraries are reflecting the widening cultural diversity in Christchurch

Presenter: Jill Richardson Ethnic Services Advocate, Christchurch City Libraries 10.35- 10.45am Break (Morning tea provided) 10.45- 11.05am Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres will be addressing the Forum 11.05- 11.50 am Workshop One The role of the public library in a diverse community- Share your experience and ideas to

• Develop foreign language collection: When, Where, What and How • Engage diverse communities: developing multicultural programs and events

12.00-12.50pm –Workshop two The role of the public library in a diverse community- Share your experience and ideas to

• Develop Multicultural Library Services Network • Use of technology to enhance and extend Multicultural Library services

12.50-1.50pm Break (Lunch provided) 1.50-2.10pm Report - back 2.15- 4.00pm Library services to culturally and linguistically Diverse Communities in New South Wales Speaker: Oriana Acevedo Consultant, Multicultural Service State Library of New South Wales, Australia

4.00- 4.05 pm Closing (A copy of collated comments from the feedback forms along with the workshop reports will be posted to the participants)

Public Libraries and Diversity Venue:

Archives New Zealand 10, Mulgrave Street, Wellington

21 August 2006


ATTENDANCE 36 participants representing sixteen public libraries around the country attended this forum

on 21 August 2006. Name Organisation 1 Padmini Raj Auckland City Libraries 2 Felicity McGuinness Auckland City Libraries 3 Jill Richardson Christchurch City Libraries 4 Bernie Hawke Dunedin Public Libraries 5 Brenda Ebbeling Hastings Central Library 6 Philip Casey Hutt City Libraries 7 Michelle Goodall Hutt City Libraries 8 Raewyn Shattky Hutt City Libraries 9 Craig Cherrie Hutt City Libraries 10 Sacha Gorman Hutt City Libraries 11 Miranda Keech Hutt City Libraries 12 Eleanoa MoaSili Manukau City Libraries 13 Mirla Edmundson Manukau City Libraries 14 Sylvia McKenna Napier City Libraries 15 Andrea King Nelson Public Libraries 16 Kathryn Simmonds Palmerston North City Library 17 Darcy Nicholas Porirua City Libraries 18 Gaylene Kells Porirua City Libraries 19 Theresa Van Tinen Porirua City Libraries 20 Mali Tangatatai Porirua City Libraries 21 Danae Etches Puke Ariki & District Libraries 22 Amanda Hewlett Puke Ariki & District Libraries 23 Kim Sipeli Shore Libraries 24 Orian Acevedo State Library of New South Wales 25 Katrin Sauermann Tauranga Libraries 26 Kathy Rodger Upper Hutt City Library 27 Liz Allen Upper Hutt City Library 28 Shivangi Pradhan Waitakere Libraries 29 Irena Sajdovic Waitakere Libraries 30 David Dromer Waitakere Libraries 31 Brendon Hickey Waitakere Libraries 32 Ada Nally Wellington City Libraries 33 Lois Buckrell Wellington City Libraries 34 Irene Xu Wellington City Libraries 35 Marilyn Domney Wellington City Libraries 36 Stefanie Lash Wellington City Libraries


WHAKATAU The forum began with an official Whakatau by Ihaia Biddle, Kaumatua of Archives New

Zealand followed by welcome and introductions.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

On behalf of Waitakere Library & Information Services Brendon Hickey welcomed the

participants.

There was a special address from Sue Sutherland, Acting CEO of National Library of New

Zealand. She expressed National Libraries’ support for the initiative and conveyed their

wishes for the Forum to achieve its objectives.

Participants introduced themselves and the library they represented.

Brendon Hickey welcomed the participants


PRESENTATIONS A DECADE OF MULTICULTURAL LIBRARY SERVICES: THE WAITAKERE LIBRARY EXPERIENCE Presenter: Shivangi Pradhan (Multicultural Services Librarian, Waitakere Library & Information Services) Presentation described the stages involved in the development of the Multicultural

Services at Waitakere Library & information Services over a decade.

Her presentation covered strategic fit, trends, and use of external statistical data such as

demographics of the city. It also included the usefulness of internal statistical data such as

languages data, comparative collection usage data for the development of this service.

Other aspects such as the importance of simple translated signage and greetings in

various languages were also emphasised. Understanding of intercultural communication,

staff training needs was also addressed during the presentation.

Presentation included a speech from Su Scott, Library & Information Services Manager on

the library’s Strategic Direction for the development of Multicultural Services. MONO-CULTURAL MYTHS: HOW LIBRARIES ARE REFLECTING THE WIDENING CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN CHRISTCHURCH Presenter: Jill Richardson (Ethnic Services Advocate, Christchurch City Libraries) Jill Richardson addressed on the ways Christchurch Libraries responded to the growing

ethnic diversity in the city. Besides developing foreign language collections, Christchurch

libraries also provide useful links to the community organisations and information

resources for the new migrants through their website. She provided examples of the

Internet based information resources such as CINCH (Community INformation

Christchurch) and provision of the library services in various languages.

Shivangi Pradhan Jill Richardson


ADDRESS BY RACE RELATIONS COMMISSIONER

Joris de Bres, Race Relations Commissioner addressed the forum. He not only

acknowledged the important role played by public libraries in diverse communities, but

also encouraged the participants to come up with an achievable action plan as a direct

outcome of the forum. He informed the participants about other forums held on the same

day under the umbrella of the New Zealand Diversity Forum. He said being a registered

participant with the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme has its own advantages. He

encouraged libraries to join. The programmes and initiatives that contribute to

strengthening cultural diversity and promoting positive race relations are also

acknowledged by the Human Rights Commission through their publication ‘On the Bright

Side, Positive Contributions to Race Relations’. The Commission’s website provides links

to different networks that participated in this symposium. He further said that although the

Human Rights Commission does not directly fund any initiative or forum, their support and

acknowledgement gives leverage, strengthening its sustainability.

Joris de Bres, Race Relations Commissioner at the forum


WORKSHOP ONE

TOPIC ONE - SHARING EXPERIENCES AND IDEAS TO ENGAGE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

• Develop ongoing relationship with services and agencies - Use Mailing list.

- Cultivate the awareness about library services.

- Contact key people in the community.

- First contact and impression is important.

• Don’t wait for the community to come to you -Take a proactive first step and ask people what they need.

-Allow outside working hours for meetings.

-Attend the meetings that communities organise.

-Target the isolated: there are also smaller ethnic groups with in minority ethnic

communities.

Example of community outreach: One of the librarians took a special interest to meet a group

of women from different ethnic backgrounds working on a community garden. This example

was provided by one of the participants as the way of approaching and getting involved with

local community.

• Start somewhere: little bit at a time

-Foreign language collection can be started by accepting book donations from ethnic

communities. -Advertise your resources in foreign languages.

One participant expressed the view that even if there are several constraints in building foreign

language collection it’s never late to start and can be built gradually on a smaller scale at a

time.

• Establishing networks with in community -Keep a database of new migrants.

-Attend other forums where you get an opportunity to network with people working either

for ethnic communities or have some connection to those communities.

-ESOL providers: usually migrant from other ethnic background update their language

skills by joining some sort of English classes.

-Informal contact- people move on to other jobs or areas and therefore it is essential to

keep some informal contacts.


Other initiatives

• Celebrate different national festivals.

• Take mobile library bus out: this can be another way of reaching to ethnic communities.

• Some people visit libraries only for the foreign language collection

- These people are likely to talk to other members of their own community with

similar interest.

• ESOL group meets in the library.

• Library organised a programme where an adult would teach kids to write a book in their

native language.

• Though it is been observed that some communities don’t use libraries on a regularly basis,

they are inclined to visit if kids are attracted to come to the library. One participant provided

an example of one of the ethnic staff organising an event for the kids that consequentially

brought many adults to the library. This eventually increased the memberships from that

particular ethnic group.

• Following are the examples of programmes from Puke Ariki.

- ‘Common ground’: Social history of Taranaki, a five-year programme.

- Taranaki Whanau Exhibition- Representing community of Taranaki. Exhibition is

focused on capturing family histories and stories of the present society. It provides

access to the many files and holdings of the library in the Taranaki Research

Centre.

- Taranaki Stories: The project captures stories about the history of Taranaki.

(For more information about this programme visit: http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla72/papers/153-

Mcnaught-en.pdf, Common Ground: the social history of Taranaki 1840-2001 (Mcnaught, Bill)

Puke Ariki

• Build partnership with community groups:

Examples: Chinese bilingual pre-school.

Home tutor groups: Tutors bring individuals to the library.

• Installing self-issue machine that will have language printout options.

• Staff at the desk: ongoing intercultural training is needed for better customer service.

• Don’t underestimate the importance of first contact with ethnic customers who visit library

for the first time.

Act as a ‘host’ -provide library space and resources to groups

• Act as the host for ‘book club’ for foreign language readers. They build the contacts and

bring more people along with them to the library.

• Let communities use the display cases during festivals; this allows them to bring their

artefacts suitable for the display while libraries can support them with the resources they

have.


Constraints

• More support from management is required to develop and sustain services for ethnic

communities.

• Sometimes getting adequate funding is an issue.

Ideas to raise the cultural awareness

• “ Beautiful Books “ about cultures on display.

• Perception is important: balance is needed; negative displays are not helpful in developing

harmonious relationships.

• Celebrate international woman’s day.

• Library invited authors of ‘ My home now” to speak to the community members.

• Handouts/leaflets / flyers are produced in other languages.

• Keep contact with the people from minority ethnic groups who are able to help with the

translation/ interpretation when required.

TOPIC TWO – SHARING EXPERIENCES AND IDEAS TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE AND EXTEND MULTICULTURAL LIBRARY SERVICES

• Learning centres provide variety of programmes.

• Homework centres: visit the schools around your library. Liaise with teachers to know

programmes and curriculum they are covering for different grades. Develop partnership

with educational institutions.

• Library has developed learning strategies for various groups (Maori/ pacific / Asian etc)

• Availability of roaming librarian within the library.

• Participant thought that technology is a double-edged sword and should be used carefully.

• It is essential to have a staff with competency not only in the technical areas but also with

strong customer service skills and general interest and understanding of education sector.

• Digital divide: accessibility can be a problem. One of the participants addressed the issue

of elderly persons not having knowledge about using computers whereas kids using it on a

larger scale.

• Make computers available to children only for homework. Express (30min) computers are

used for games. For example if you have 12 computers block 3 PCs for games. Turn the

games off after 3.00pm. Keep kids busy with other activities (paper, crayons, and puzzles)

while they are waiting for computer. Spare one computer to do the bookings.

• Online competition with small prizes is an effective way of attracting young people to use

the library services


• Virtual tours are found effective in reaching to people.

Following are the examples of initiative from Australian public libraries

• Connect with seniors: Victoria state libraries.

• “ Multilingual senior surfer project”.

• www.mylanguage.gov.au

• Multilingual glossary of key words used in library.

• Information about library services is available in many foreign languages on the website in

PDF format.

• Library website provides links to the different community organisations in the city

Workshop photo: Participants shared their ideas and experiences


WORKSHOP TWO

TOPIC THREE - DEVELOP FOREIGN LANGUAGE COLLECTION: WHEN, WHERE, WHAT AND HOW When is the right time to start developing foreign language collections?

• Gather information through networks about the emerging communities in the city.

• Gather information from local government statistics to understand the diversity and clusters

of ethnic groups in different areas of the city.

• Keep yourself informed through various sources about the programs organized by ethnic

groups in the city.

• Obtain data about community profile from Statistics New Zealand.

• Gather information about the spoken languages, country of origin or ethnicity by means of

membership forms.

• Libraries may have certain guidelines that would state when they could start developing

foreign language collection. For example library may need to respond when the population

of a particular ethnic group exceed number defined in the policy.

Where to allocate foreign language collection?

• Some libraries prefer to have their foreign language collection at the central library while

other libraries prefer to spread them at the local branches depending on the demographics

of the area.

• ESOL collection is usually made available at all branches in the city.

What materials are in demand?

• It is important to study the trends and characteristics of the community

• Some communities are oral cultures by tradition. It is preferable to develop active

programmes for these communities rather than searching for published materials in their

native languages.

• Arabic community prefer newspapers and magazines rather than books. (Australian

experience)

• Some communities are under-represented. It is also difficult to find published material in

their native language; in such cases alternative programmes or e-resources are useful. For

example it is hard to find books published in Somali language.

• Participants discussed an issue of the budget allocation for foreign language collections.

One of the participants mentioned that 80% percent of their budget is spent on purchasing

fiction and 20% on non-fiction books. The issue of the sustainability of the budget for the

foreign language collections was also discussed.


• One of the participants suggested that it helps to spend non-fiction budget on buying books

in popular subject areas such as cooking and healthcare. The participant further mentioned

that they develop collection that is more demand driven.

• One of the participants discussed an issue that there is a demand for books in Simplified

Chinese language but Collections librarians consider that it is appropriate to have books in

Traditional Chinese. Other participants suggested that it’s good to go with the demand.

• Collection of statistical data such as languages spoken at home, country of origin, English

language proficiency is used in developing multicultural collection.

How and where to buy these collections from-

• Queensland.com is able to provide ready to shelf books.

• LOTE (Languages Other Than English) collection supplier’s list: The State Library of New

South Wales has built the list of foreign language material suppliers.

• During discussion one participant also informed about a regional cooperative model that

enables patrons to have access to a special collection from other library.

• Collective purchasing is another way of developing special collections. These collections

are rotated among the contributors.

TOPIC FOUR - MULTICULTURAL SERVICES LIBRARIANS NETWORK Waitakere Library & Information Services proposed the idea of developing a network for the

Multicultural Services Librarians. It was well supported by the participants. Christchurch City

Libraries has offered to establish special interest Lib-Serve. This can become the first action step

that will lead to develop support network and a special interest group. This has also been

identified as the priority action (Develop a network) for strengthening diversity for Human Rights.

(Please refer to Appendix 2).

Further discussion and documentation about the purpose of this network needs to be done.

Access and information about this network will be posted to Human Rights Commission to be

added on their website.

Waitakere Library & Information Services expressed the interest to develop an information

resource that will contain current foreign language collections at various public libraries as well as

and supplier’s list within New Zealand. A sample of this collection’s list was presented to the

group. (Electronic copy was later sent to the participants).


(Template of the information resource of the foreign language collection’s list )

This resource will mainly benefit the collections and acquisitions librarians to

• Develop new collection of foreign language books.

• Discuss the possibility of purchasing collectively or

• Rotating collections with other libraries.


WORKSHOP PHOTOS


KEYNOTE SPEAKER TOPIC - LIBRARY SERVICES TO CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN NEW SOUTH WALES

Keynote Speaker: Oriana Acevedo Consultant, Multicultural Service

State Library of New South Wales, Australia

Oriana described the process of developing LOTE (Languages Other Than English)

collections. Examples were provided of useful e-resources, websites, funding sources as

well as the channels for advocacy to develop these services. Many participants found the

information very valuable and inspirational.

Oriana Acevedo’s presentation slides (Refer to Appendix –1)

Closing: David Dromer Collections and Service Development Manager, Waitakere Library & Information

Services thanked all participants for attending the forum and making valuable contributions to the

workshops.

David Dromer thanked the participants


APPENDIX - 1

ORIANA ACEVEDO’S PRESENTATION SLIDES


APPENDIX - 2

Ten Steps to Strengthen Our Cultural Diversity

1. Develop a Network There are many people and organisations that share a vision and a concern for harmonious

relationships in a diverse and inclusive New Zealand. To increase their effectiveness, share their

experience and provide mutual support, they need to be connected, informed and recognised. A

combined network of people and organisations will help to achieve this.

2. Establish a Forum The Internet provides a cost-effective means to give people access to an ongoing forum for the

exchange of ideas and to a rich source of information. An electronic forum, information pages and

a web-portal to new and existing sites about New Zealand’s diverse communities will be an

important resource to support public awareness.

3. Create a Centre There is an ongoing need for research, education, information resources and advocacy on cultural

diversity. While there are many researchers spread through our educational and research

institutions, there is no recognised national centre for the study and promotion of cultural diversity.

A New Zealand diversity centre or institute that is able to lead research, inform debate, and connect

people in different institutions and organisations would make a major contribution.

4. Conduct a Conversation Public debate on race relations, the Treaty of Waitangi, measures to achieve equality, our national

identity, hate speech and the fragility of our human rights in the absence of a written constitution

have led to the call for a process to address these issues. A structured public conversation about our

constitutional, legislative and institutional framework to protect human rights including diversity is

required, whether it is through a commission of inquiry, parliamentary select committee enquiries

or other means.

5. Focus on Education and Youth Our children are our future. Schools have a vital role to play in educating our youth on diversity

and tolerance, through the formal curriculum, school activities, and programmes to combat

bullying, harassment and racism. A review and reform of the school curriculum to ensure that

civics, values, languages, histories and cultures are part of the core curriculum and that there are

high quality resources to support it is an investment in our future.


6. Foster diversity in the media Much of what we learn about others is from the media. By the competitive nature of television,

radio and print media the focus is often on the spectacular or the sensational, and there is a risk that

the media will feed stereotyping and prejudice. Our media need to reflect and promote the diversity

of our society, both through greater diversity in the mainstream media and through the

strengthening of Maori, Pacific and other ethnic media to give voice to all New Zealanders.

Journalist recruitment and training should support this purpose, and good practice should be

recognised.

7. Support the successful settlement of refugees and migrants Arrival in New Zealand is not the end of the migration process, it is the beginning. The first phase

of a national refugee and migrant settlement strategy has recently been announced, and this needs

to be followed by settlement plans for every local area. Settlement plans developed by local

authorities in conjunction with iwi, migrant, community and business groups, as well as health,

education, police and other government service providers, will provide the basis for successful

settlement of migrants including acceptance by the local community.

8. Celebrate diversity The celebration of our diversity enables us to reach out to one another, to appreciate each other,

and to value our diverse cultures and communities. There are many such celebrations already –

Waitangi Day, Pasifika, Race Relations Day, Matariki, St Patrick’s Day, the Chinese New Year,

Diwali, and other religious, cultural and national days. Cultural diversity through the arts is another

important form of celebration. Increased central and local government support for communities,

artists and performers will strengthen our diversity and enrich our society.

9. Connect with our heritage New Zealand is rich in natural and cultural heritage, and connecting with our heritage through

conservation and enjoyment is an important component of developing our national identity and

sense of belonging. Supporting the involvement of ethnic communities in historic, cultural and

natural conservation provides an opportunity to put down roots, contribute to our environment, and

to connect to the heritage of all New Zealanders. We need to tell our diverse stories about our land

and our history in New Zealand.

10. Promote dialogue Information and education alone is not enough. People need to meet face to face, experience

diversity and discuss issues with people who differ. Communities need to reach out to each other.


Dialogue and exchange between people of different views, cultures and faiths is the glue that will

hold us together and enrich us all.

Ten Key Actors

1. Human Rights Commission/Race Relations Commissioner The Human Rights Commission and the Race Relations Commissioner have the mandate to

advance the achievement of these actions, through advocacy, facilitation and partnerships. The Ten

Key Steps will be considered by the Commission for incorporation into the consultation process for

developing the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights, which is due to be completed by the

end of 2004. The Race Relations Commissioner will facilitate the establishment of working groups

and forums to address the Key Steps, and work with central and local government and community

organisations, and with the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO which has an

existing programme to promote cultural diversity, as well as other Commissions and Crown

Entities such as the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, the Families Commission, the Office

of the Health and Disability Commissioner, the Maori Language Commission, the Historic Places

Trust, NZ on Air, and Creative New Zealand.

2. Government Government agencies already have a wide range of policies and strategies to promote cultural

diversity and harmonious relations. The key is to achieve greater coordination between agencies

and connection to local government and community organisations. Key agencies include Te Puni

Kokiri, the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, the Office of Ethnic Affairs, the Ministry for Culture

and Heritage, the Department of Conservation, the Police, the Immigration Service, the Ministry

for Social Development and the State Services Commission.

3. Local Government Territorial local authorities (regional, city and district councils) are required to have community

plans, and to provide for economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing. They form a

crucial link between central government and local communities and have a key role in fostering

safe, connected and diverse communities. A particular focus is to develop refugee and migrant

settlement plans, provide opportunities and support to celebrate diversity, connect with heritage

and promote dialogue.


4. Education providers Our schools provide the education for our children. The curriculum needs to provide them with a

knowledge and understanding of our diverse history, our unique Maori language and culture, the

other languages and cultures of our many peoples, an understanding of the wrongs of

discrimination, and the skills to relate to and value other New Zealand children who are different to

themselves. Schools can provide programmes and policies to prevent harassment, bullying and

discrimination. The Ministry of Education can support schools in these endeavours. Tertiary

institutions can play a key role in research and teaching, as well as creating environments where all

students feel safe and supported and where diversity is promoted and celebrated. They have a key

role in providing opportunities for ongoing learning about diversity. Many voluntary organisations

also conduct education and dialogue programmes.

5. Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Community Organisations There are many organisations that represent our various Màori, Pacific and ethnic communities.

Apart from their important role in nurturing their own culture and sense of identity, they can reach

out to the wider community to share their culture and to promote mutual understanding.

Organisations like ethnic councils have an important role in bringing different communities

together.

6. Business and Trade Unions There are many barriers to diversity in the workplace, including barriers to entry and promotion,

and various forms of prejudice, harassment and intolerance. Employers and unions can work to

eliminate barriers, to create a safe and positive work environment and to draw on the rich resource

that a diverse workforce represents for a successful business. The growth of Maori, Pacific and

other ethnic business enterprise can also be supported. The tourism industry has a strong interest in

a fostering a host community that is internationally connected and values diversity.

7. Media The mainstream media play a vital role in communicating us to ourselves. They can ensure that

they have a diverse staff, who understand and are connected to their communities, and they can

broaden their coverage to ensure that we learn more about each other. The demographics of their

market are changing with an increased Maori, Pacific, Asian and other ethnic community audience,

who want to see themselves portrayed fairly and equally. Maori, Pacific and ethnic media have an

important role to play in fostering their own languages and culture, and in reflecting and

interpreting New Zealand’s other cultures and communities to their audiences.


8. Religious Institutions Religious institutions can foster inter-faith dialogue and understanding, and promote the values of

tolerance, equality and cultural diversity.

9. Arts, culture and heritage organisations Arts and culture organisations can foster cultural diversity by ensuring that they support both

individual creative artists and communities that practice their culture and provide access by all

communities to the diversity of our arts and culture. They can foster both cultural expression and

cultural exchange. Heritage organisations can ensure that equal access is given to people of all

communities to our natural and historic heritage, and that they all have opportunities to participate

in conservation. They can help to tell our stories about our connection to the landscape and about

our diverse histories in New Zealand. 10. People Who Care There are many thousands of New Zealanders who care enough about these issues to want to do

something about them. They can be supported through the development of networks, a website, the

dissemination of information and ideas, recognition of their efforts and assistance from community

and government organisations. They can be given support in challenging stereotypes and prejudice,

and in equipping their children for a more diverse future. Published by the Human Rights commission in support of the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, October 2004

Reference: www.hrc.co.nz

APPENDIX - 3

The copy of presentation done on 22 August 2006 at Te Papa by Shivangi Pradhan and Kim Sipeli

National Forum on Public Libraries and Diversity Held at

Archives New Zealand 10 Mulgrave Street On

21 August 2006


Summary of outcomes Background Waitakere Library & Information Services in conjunction with Human Rights Commission

organised National Forum on Public Libraries and Diversity. 16 Public libraries sent

representatives to attend this forum. In total 36 people attended this forum.

Public libraries play a vital role in developing collections, programmes and resources that

cater to the information needs of ethnic communities in New Zealand. Currently the nature

and the extent of Multicultural services provided by each of our libraries differ and thus the

focus of roles.

Summary The New Zealand Diversity Action provided us the perfect opportunity to come together so

that we could share our existing knowledge, ideas and resources to improve our individual

services for ethnic communities.

Following presentations from Waitakere and Christchurch libraries about the current

services, four workshops were held to discuss the role of public library in diverse

communities.

These workshops provided us the real opportunity to share our knowledge and ideas.

This was followed by a presentation by the forum’s key speaker, Oriana Acevedo

Multicultural Consultant, State Library of New South Wales.

Action steps 1. As a result we confirmed that we need to establish a network - Christchurch has

now offered to create separate PUB-List (discussion list) so that we will be able to

communicate with each other fast. This is expected to happen in a couple of weeks

from now. Currently I have prepared a mailing group on email which is in use.

2. We also discussed the possibility and ways of sharing resources but this needs

further discussion and there are several processes involved in it. Many of us are

interested in tapping these possibilities. These processes will support smaller

libraries that face budgetary constraints to develop collections in other languages.

One way of dong it is that we rotate resources. But this will be a step further and

will take time.


Waitakere Library will publish a complete report on forum by 20th September and a copy will be

posted to Human Rights Commission.

Documents

National Forum Report 2006 - Auckland Council · 8/22/2006 · National Forum On Public Libraries and Diversity 2006 Organised by Waitakere Library & Information Services ... 10 Sacha