First Roundtable on Library and Archives Collections and Services of Relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
State Library of South Australia, Adelaide, 4 May 1995
Summary
of Statewide Progress which Includes Specific Library & Information Service
of Western Australia (LISWA) Progress
The Library & Information Service of Western Australia (LISWA) has made considerable progress in linking indigenous people to Western Australian documentary heritage.
Three significant developments at national and state Government levels have been considered during planning. These are the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Death in Custody (1991), the Western Australian Government Aboriginal Plan (1993) and, most recently, the [W.A.] Task Force on Aboriginal Social Justice (April, 1994).
In 1993 LISWA supported a Public Library Aboriginal Services Project, funded by the Department of Local Government, under the auspices of the Western Australian Local Government Librarians Association. A Project Officer, based at LISWA, consulted with Aboriginal communities and working with public librarians in two communities (Midland and Geraldton) to:
- identify the needs of Aboriginal people for library and information services and
- develop practical strategies to overcome barriers to library use by Aboriginal people.
The Project culminated in the production and distribution to every public library in Western Australia of a booklet entitled "Bridging the Gap: Appropriate and Accessible Public Library Services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People". A report was also prepared with recommendations directed at both LISWA and public libraries in general. LISWA accepts these recommendations in so far as it has the ability to implement them directly or to encourage their implementation by public libraries and local government authorities. The Project recommendations and findings, together with Government policy framework, have provided much of the content of the Public Library Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services plan to develop public library services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia. The Plan was endorsed by the Library Board in February 1995 and some strategies have already either been completed or incorporated in 1994/95 and 1995/96 Planned Outcomes. The Plan has been produced in a widely consultative environment. Priority target areas are summarised as follows:
- Involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Planning/Development
- Identifying Community Needs
- Providing and Managing Appropriate Resources for Public Libraries
- Encouraging Relevant and Accessible Public Library Services
- Developing Effective Communication Strategies
- Employment and Training of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Personnel
- Training Public Library Staff
- Evaluation/Reviewing/Reporting
Other Initiatives:
- A Reference group of Aboriginal people to assist LISWA and public librarians in the development of appropriate services is to be established and key people have been identified.
- LISWA had a senior staff representation at the National Consultative Workshop on Protocols for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Information in Library Archives and Information Services in Canberra in September 1994.
- A number of public libraries have presented or are planning programs or special events in recognition of specific programs such as NAIDOC Week. LISWA supports these initiatives by advising on appropriate programs, contact names, providing display materials and additional library resources as required.
- LISWA also actively seeks and distributes a range of relevant materials such as booklets, reports, posters and leaflets to public libraries.
- Co-ordinate and deliver half day training modules for public library staff to raise their awareness of Aboriginal culture and the need for public library services to be relevant and culturally sensitive.
- A training program to raise staff of public libraries and LISWA
awareness and increase understanding and sensitivity to Aboriginal
cultures.
Further programs are planned to address culturally sensitive and sacred materials. - LISWA provides stock and services to 2 libraries in Aboriginal communities and has been approached to assist with library services to 8 other communities.
- Liaison with the Australians for Reconciliation Council has resulted in Australian Library Week containing a significant Aboriginal component. A model study circle will be conducted with the view to conducting a full program during NAIDOC Week.
- LISWA has employed two Aboriginal Cadets under the Aboriginal Employment and Career Development Program. A permanent position will be offered at the completion of studies. Several public libraries have employed Aboriginal government trainees.
- The Oral History Unit at LISWA has interviewed a number of Aboriginal people and in doing so continues to contribute to the recording of Aboriginal culture.
- Mae O'Brien, noted author, has been appointed to the Library Board of Western Australia.
- The State Archives has custody of the archival records of the
Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority (AAPA) and its predecessor agencies. It
liaises closely with the AAPA in assisting individuals to access records which
relate to them and their families.
The State Archives also holds records from churches and other community groups (eg Sister Kate's) that contain information about Aboriginal people. It assists enquirers to access these records as well.
- The Archives has continued to provide access to records of interest to Aboriginal people though the services available in its Search Room.
Return to the Aboriginal Roundtable
Fay Boyd, Library & Information Service of Western Australia
Last updated 12 June 1998
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