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Multicultural Research
Websites and Research links
MULTICULTURAL SERVICES FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/public-library-services/services/multicultural-services-public-libraries
Demonstration of SLNSW – Multicultural Services Webpage https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/public-library-services
Research into multicultural services in NSW public libraries (2017)
The State Library of NSW commissioned a project to explore to what extent public libraries in New South Wales are evolving to meet the changes in local demographics, service expectations, community needs and access to technology for non-English speaking members of the community. You can read the project report here
The research methodology included a survey of public libraries (a complex task as regional libraries are very different to stand alone library services); review of the available statistics (ABS, Public Library Statistics) and focus groups (Public library staff from Greater Metro Sydney LGAs who have a focus on multicultural library services in their roles; Existing CALD library users at Blacktown Library; Future CALD library users at Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre (WSMRC) in Liverpool). The research updated previous multicultural services research (2003) and we were aware that one area that needed particular attention was digital inclusion for CALD community members.
Multicultural Benchmarks As a result of the research, the multicultural benchmarks have been updated. They move from Exemplary Level 5 which is the best possible practice for public libraries in relation to multicultural services and collections to Entry Level 1 which is representative of a low level of practice. They consider the following:
- Planning for library services relevant to NESB clients
- Organisational capacity to develop and deliver multicultural services / collections
- Quality of multicultural services / collections
- Promotions and delivery
- Evaluation
You can read these here: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/multicultural-library-service-benchmarks.pdf
Research in first language reading and the role of public libraries
In 2021 the State Library partnered with Charles Sturt University on a project to understand the experience of reading in first language and the role played by public libraries in supporting this experience. Twelve participants from 11 language groups were interviewed and all participants expressed the importance of reading in their first language.
The project report First language reading and the role of public libraries outlines the research process and findings. You can read it here
You can watch Jane Garner's presentation on the report here
.id - the population experts for Australia https://profile.id.com.au/australia/about-profile-id This provides the basis for making evidence-based decisions about how to provide services for the community as it changes.
SBS Census Explorer 2021 How much do you really know about your community in Australia? Learn more about where you live, the language you speak and how the country is changing based on the 2021 Census results. Census Explorer