Working Group on Multicultural Services (NSW) 10:00 am Thursday the 16th February 2017 Ryde Library 1 Pope Street RYDE NSW 2112 Minutes
Apologies: Roman Ciereszko (Liverpool), Stephanie Lee (Rockdale), Irena Tichackova (Hornsby), Sharlene Louey (City of Sydney), Jann Debenham (City of Canterbury Bankstown), Pauline Chan (Parramatta), Zora Drazic (Northern Beaches) and Kaye Johnson (Sutherland) Kamal
Confirmation of previous minutesThe previous minutes were accepted unchanged by Laurence McDonnell and seconded by Abby Dawson
Business arising from previous minutes Nil
International Mother Language Day (Oriana) International Mother Language Day will be celebrated with a free seminar at Metcalfe Auditorium at the State Library of NSW on Saturday, 18 February 2017. The seminar will celebrate and promote awareness of linguistic diversity while exploring the advantages of acquiring a second language. The issues of loss and preservation of the languages will be also examined. The presentations by renowned specialists have attracted a great amount of interest therefore this program is fully booked out. Request for evaluation of the presentations will be sent out to all participants.
Joelmon Zungar informed the Group about Blacktown Libraries’ celebrations of United Nations Mother Language Day on Sunday 19 February 2017. This program, organised on a very small budget, will include a range of cultural and linguistic showcases from community language schools in the area. Local Aboriginals will hold Dharug language classes to promote awareness of Aboriginal languages.
Language learning classes have become popular at some libraries. Kathy Yang said that Marrickville had been offering Spanish for a year now. The classes are run by a professional paid teacher. Customers are charged $20.00 for the set of 8 lessons. According to Sujatha Thadakamella similar language classes were not popular at Fairfield where there was a greater demand for teaching English to students from CALD backgrounds. Katherine Zhu reported that story time sessions in five languages are in great demand at Randwick. Local residents are very much interested in children being bilingual or picking up other languages. Bilingual books are always preferred when purchased (Shauna). They are used by the Australians and speakers of the languages and extremely well used by people requesting bulk loans (Abby Dawson).
Multicultural Banners (Shauna) The banners have become a bit tired and started to look cheap and outdated. When the Group embarked on this project over 10 years ago the cost of a single piece was quite prohibitive at $1000. New banners colour and double sided, can now be produced for under $200. Joelmon Zungar, Vicky O’Rourke, Kathy Yang and Sarah Wilde volunteered to form a committee to investigate ways of funding of this project. “Generic” banners, without any logos, promoting a theme “Discover a whole new world in the Library” can be used by all libraries willing to wait their turn. Some libraries may decide to produce their own branded banners using this opportunity. Action: Committee to meet and formulate some proposals
Update on unclassified DVDs (Oriana) Public libraries in South Australia, Victoria and NSW are still struggling to deliver non English fictional DVDs to their clientele as it is illegal to sell the unclassified DVDs. NSW and Victorian libraries may challenge the classification act to make libraries exempt from this ruling. The legal advice received so far did not help to resolve the issue. As much as it is not illegal to lend the unclassified DVDs, the suppliers abandon this venture as $500 for classifying of a title by Federal Office of Classification is a prohibitive cost. The overseas classification does not count. This situation affects mostly the poor, who cannot afford paid TV or own DVDs and do not speak English to express their point of view. A letter is to be drafted to enquire with Australian Fair Trading and Federal Office of Classification to rectify this situation. Action: Laurence to draft the letters
Marketing and promotion (Oriana) With the growing number of refugees arriving in the Sydney Metropolitan Area (with Liverpool, Camden, Parramatta being the most likely destinations of the new migrants) it is becoming a matter of great urgency to roll out some sort of a marketing campaign to make the newcomers aware of the services offered by the public libraries network. Billboards and banners, which proved very effective in the past, require substantial funding. While applying for a grant is a viable option it does not allow for immediate action. Pros and cons of short term and fast immediate remedies to the situation like: youtube clips in the relevant languages (Laurence McDonnell), SBS Radio messages (Kathy Yang), promoting at local events (Sujatha Thadakamella) were discussed. The Group members are encouraged to email Shauna any other ideas on how to immediately promote and market the public libraries to new migrants. Action Shauna to receive and collate the ideas
On-line information for CALD clients (Oriana) Oriana highlighted the importance of public libraries’ staff being aware and trained in directing new migrants to the vital information located on the State Library Website and services available at various other locations, like: English Classes, Legal Aid, children’s activities, internet connectivity, press reader, IELTS resources, etc. It is crucial that public libraries’ staff are able to navigate all these essential resources for the benefit of the new migrants.
Multicultural Awareness training (Oriana) Oriana informed that the State Library will run basic multicultural awareness training for twenty people on 10/05/2017. The session will be aimed at people not familiar with the NSW multicultural scene. The new employees, casual staff and those who never before (or a long time ago) participated in this kind of training are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this free training opportunity.
Jill Webb – Ryde Library Service The Top Ryde Library has all the areas mixed up and fully integrated. This set up is very commodious and flexible. Seating for up to 200 people can be cleared by rolling away the shelving which is all on wheels. The opening of this new and innovative facility in 2011 was a catalyst for many changes within the library service. Strategic Plan “Libraries for Ryde 2014-2024” provided a necessary framework for updating all the branches with Gladesville being the last to give up its traditional look. West Ryde branch went through the most radical change at the tenth anniversary of its opening. A new library will be built in the Macquarie Shopping Centre during its next redevelopment. A new strategic vision will be needed when the planned amalgamations take place.
STEAM ideas in multicultural outreach Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics issues were embraced while West Ryde Library was rejuvenated. The old mural was replaced with the curiosity cabinet containing 8-10 drawers with frequently changing specimens. Four built in IPads, touch screens, microscopes, etc. encourage children and youth to take interest in scientific issues. Canada Bay offers 3D printing, two studios with recording and editing software as well as classes aimed at developing interests and skills in this area.
Local Government Multicultural Officers’ conference (Oriana) Following the example of the Multicultural Librarians, a group of multicultural officers decided to have a conference at the State Library of NSW on 2-3 November 2017. Working out a cohesive strategy appears to be vital with migrants taking residence in all different regions, not only in Sydney Metropolitan area.
Literacy Seminar 11/09/2017 (Oriana) A Literacy Seminar is being planned by the NSW Literacy Working Group. Jacinta Crane is looking for speakers highlighting examples of programs catering for adults with low literacy levels. It is estimated that 40% of Australian population is functionally illiterate. There are classes for unemployed at Randwick. The attendees are a mix of illiterate English language native speakers and migrants ( Katherine Zhu). Fairfield has designated times when assistance with filling out forms is offered (Sujatha Thadakamella).
“Journey to Freedom” – DVD (Oriana) consists of eleven short films produced by high school students from a refugee background. The pictures tell the unique stories of eleven journeys to successful lives in Australia. The DVDs can be purchased for $290. The last ever to be produced “Colourfest” DVD is also available for purchase from the Multicultural Coop for $245.
Other Business
Shauna Sunnybooks publications, supporting learning for children in various languages through playing and singing, can be purchased from the Multicultural Coop.
Abby The launch of the new Legal Aid Service has taken place. USB containing tips on disaster preparedness in various languages can be obtained from SES. Alternatively, local SES can run disaster preparedness workshops at their local libraries.
Oriana Legal Aid Refugee Service is available now at Bankstown and Fairfield with Wollongong to follow shortly. Assyrian and Arabic publications about rights in Australia are indispensable resources in the areas where these migrants settle.
Vicky Smith Family are looking for volunteers to tutor refugees at their homes. Women volunteers are in great demand.
Next meeting was supposed to take place at: Blacktown Library on 18th of May 2017. It is now to be held at: THE STATE LIBRARY OF NSW ON 31 MAY 2017