Working Group on Multicultural Services (NSW) 10:00 am Thursday the 17th November 2016 Customs House Library (City of Sydney) Minutes
Apologies: Roman Cieresko (Liverpool), Stephanie Lee (Rockdale) Wendy Gindi (Canterbury) and Anne Spellman (Fairfield)
Confirmation of previous minutes
The previous minutes were accepted unchanged by Laurence McDonnell and seconded by Abby Dawson
Business arising from previous minutes Nil
Guest Speaker: Ben Chan – Citizenship Program Cumberland Library Service Due to a large number of clients asking for information on Australian citizenship Ben Chan realised there was an opportunity to develop a program which would address clients needs.
A program to address these needs began in April 2015.and consisted of four 10 week terms of two hour sessions. The program was free to take part in The majority of participants came from the local LGA however there has been participation from clients across Sydney. Ben recommended that all participants have basic English and basic computer skills to enable them to successfully take part and complete the program.
As a result of running this library membership and loans have increased and more partnerships have been created with local organisations. Cumberland Library will continue to run the program in 2017
For more information on how to set up a similar program and what is involved please contact Ben Chan at Cumberland Library directly on ben.chan@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Guest Speaker : Chris Maguire- Show me the way “Show me the way” is a not for profit organisation that has been working with high school students from schools in Western Sydney. Students, from refugee backgrounds have produced a series of documentaries that share inspiring stories of several refugee migrants.
Students attended a ten week program where they developed camera, lighting, editing and narrative skills to create these documentaries. To date over 200 students have been through the program.
For more information on the documentaries go to http://www.showmetheway.org/role-models.html
Oriana suggested that libraries can use the DVD students produced for Multicultural March, Refugee Week and or NAIDOC Week
The cost of each DVD is $290 however this will include a catalogue record. Action: Shauna will facilitate the purchase of this DVD on behalf of interested libraries and will email libraries within the next two weeks re purchasing copies for their collections
Press Reader Held over until next meeting
Colourfest DVD 2017 The producer of this DVD, Gary Paramanathan, has informed the Cooperative that the 2017 Colourfest DVD will be the last one he will produce.
The cost of this DVD has increased to $295.00 but the Cooperative will take orders from libraries to purchase a copy at the discounted price of $245.00 this cost will include a catalogue record Action Shauna will email libraries with details of the films shortly
Bulk Loan Service Abby Dawson recently sent out a survey to obtain feedback on the Italian and Gujarati collections. Abby advised libraries to put in their loan requests in asap due to the relocation of the work space. Abby also reminded libraries that they can requested larger loans of large print and audio books
State Library Building Update Oriana gave a brief update on proposed changes to the State Library building.
Refugee Week 15th July 2017 The State Library will work with the Refugee Council on this event The Refugee Council will launch a film during Refugee Week
LOTE DVDs and Victorian public libraries Libraries can legally purchase unclassified DVDs however it is illegal for suppliers to sell unclassified DVDs.
NSW and Victorian libraries may challenge the classification act to make libraries exempt from this ruling. Oriana will work with Mare Maticevski from Darebin Library in Victoria to outline the issues CALD clients are experiencing in relation to the services that libraries provide for diverse communities
Changes to Multicultural Awards This year the Multicultural Awards will be sponsored by CAVAL The award will be presented annually with the Individual award winner getting $500.00 and the Organisation Award getting $1,000.00 Wendy advised the group that the entries that were received this year were very strong.
Council Amalgamations Council amalgamations are still on going for some LGAs whilst others have been completed
Other Business
Red Cross Oriana wanted to remind the group that Kate Broughton from the Red Cross International Tracing Service is able to offer a range of programs for libraries. These programs can be internal for your organisation/staff or can be an external event where you invite clients or members of your community.
Option 1: 15 minutes (Speaking only, no multimedia required) (Minimum 4 weeks notice to arrange, subject to availability of staff) Introduction of speakers and a general discussion of Australian Red Cross, including the theme of the event Refugee Week etc…..) Discussion of the International Tracing Service, including the details of a real case Optional: Can add morning/afternoon tea Optional: Storyboards can be displayed – dependant on venue
Option 2: 30-45 minutes (visual media required: screen/laptop/internet) (Minimum 4 weeks notice to arrange, subject to availability of staff) Introduction of speakers and a general discussion of Australian Red Cross, including the theme of the event Refugee Week etc…..) Discussion of the International Tracing Service Show ‘Nadine’s story’: An interactive journey, showcasing one clients story. Optional: Can add morning/afternoon tea Optional: Storyboards can be displayed – dependant on venue
Option 3: 45-60 minutes (visual media required: screen/laptop/internet) (Minimum 4 weeks notice to arrange, subject to availability of staff) Introduction of speakers and a general discussion of Australian Red Cross, including the theme of the event Refugee Week etc…..) Discussion of the International Tracing Service Show ‘Nadine’s story’: An interactive journey, showcasing one client’s story. Play a short video of Tracing client talking about their own story Optional: Can add morning/afternoon tea
Please contact Kate Broughton Red Cross International Tracing Service Level 3, St Andrews House, 464 Kent St, SYDNEY NSW 2000 Tel + 61 2 9229 4233 Email kbroughton@redcross.org.au
Strategic Plan Laurence McDonnell, Wendy Ford, Oriana and Shauna will meet in February to review this document.
Changes to Library contact details As some libraries have amalgamated there be changes to their contact and delivery details. If this affects your library please email Abby with your new details so she can change the address labels used by the bulk loans team at the State Library
Promotional Banners Nothing further to report.
ATO DVD The Cooperative has 200 free copies of the DVD “New to Australia”. This DVD is a five part series produced by the ATO aimed at helping new migrants with little or no knowledge of Australia’s tax and superannuation systems. Each DVD includes videos in the Arabic, Assyrian, Cantonese, Dari, English, Farsi, Hazaragi, Korean, Nepali, Punjabi and Vietnamese. Action : Shauna to email libraries seeking interest in providing libraries with copies for their collection
State Library Seminar Multicultural Strategy On Saturday the 18th of February the State Library will organise a short seminar on the importance of preserving languages. The program for the seminar is currently being drafted
Next meeting 16th February- Ryde Library