Speak Up for First Nations Public Libraries

March 4, 2010

by Stephanie Vollick
Librarians Without Borders, UWO Chapter

Did you know that out of 133 First Nation communities only 50 have public libraries? Those that have them make the best of shockingly small spaces, donations and grants. On March 2^nd, Librarians Without Borders UWO Chapter hosted a talk about Native public libraries to raise awareness.  Beverly Bressette from Kettle & Stony Point Library shared personal experience, and Patty Lawlor, a First Nations consultant shared her expertise with a broader perspective.

The most recent development in the Native library community is the Speak Up for First Nations Public Libraries campaign. It is being broadcast on TV, radio and at www.speakuptoday.net featuring prominent First Nations people such as Olympic athlete Waneek Horn-Miller and singer-songwriter Derek Miller. Some of these messages are for potential sponsors, but many are to encourage Natives who have not experienced libraries to welcome them into their community.

Several years ago a strategic plan was begun in application to the strategic development grant. This plan “Our Way Forward” is available at www.ourwayforward.ca. It outlines the main goals as advocacy, funding, facilities, staff, services, and collections, in that order. A problem they identified is that donors usually focus on collections, but they need the foundations of the facilities before expanding the collection. Beverly shared that her library uses local radio, posters and the community newsletter to promote library services. She focuses her marketing efforts on the campaigns that Patty explained;

First Nations Public Library Week was Feb 15-20 this year. Patty explained that they selected February because in oral tradition the time when there is the most snow is traditionally the storytime in Native communities. Because it was the same week as Valentines Day they had a “love your library” campaign with the goal of promoting the libraries, recognizing librarians and having non-native libraries raise awareness.

First Nations Community Read is based on Canada Reads and supports First Nation authors. Publishers donate a copy of their book as a nomination and there is a vote as to which one best represents the Native community. Beverly confided that when kids see the poster they ask her for the books to read, pointing at the colourful covers. This is heartening but the tiny library needs more books to keep up with the demand.

Libraries Helping Libraries is a program that breaks down the borders between Native and Municipal libraries. It matches a Native library and a non-native library to help one another in a reciprocal relationship. Often the Municipal library has some librarians mentor the librarian from the Native library and donates excess materials, while the Native library offers cultural programming such as beading workshops or story times.

What can your library do?

• Have a storytime with something by a First Nations author or featuring First Nations characters
• Quickly record that you have done this at www.speakuptoday.net to help them gain support
• Celebrate First Nations Community Read this year and First Nations Public Library Week next year
• Join Libraries Helping Libraries
• Ontario has the only legislation specifically recognizing First Nations communities’ public libraries, if you are from elsewhere in Canada write to your political leaders and ask for change.
• Pass along donations that do not fit with your collection development policy but they could benefit from.