NSW PUBLIC LIBRARIES LITERACY WORKING GROUP
DATE: 23rd May 2017 VENUE: Customs House Library
APOLOGIES:
- Elisabeth McCutcheon – Gilgandra
- Kasia Malicka - Burwood
- Natalie Funston – Rockdale
- John Maunder- Ryde
- Vicki O’Rourke – Wollongong
- Lee Burgoyne - Wollongong
Attendees:
- Jacky Talbot – Lane Cove
- Julie Just – Ku-ring-gai
- Abir El-Lahib - City of Sydney
- Jacqueline Elstein – Mosman
- Wendy Gindi – Campsie Library
- Jacinta Craine – Sutherland
- Helen Kassidis – Burwood
- Rob Stewart – Singleton
Blue Jeans (online):
- Lisa Cunningham – Tamworth
- Wollongong tried back could not connect
1. Matters arising from previous Minutes Name of the Library at which we met was Campsie not Auburn
Minutes accepted: Jacqueline Elstein Minutes seconded: Abir El-Lahib
2. Singleton and talks to pre-schoolers – Rob Stewart
Singleton Library has a new program which is taking them out of the library and into the local preschools. They work with the preschools to get parents in for 20 minutes to half an hour to hear about how the habit of reading with their children will benefit various aspects of life. The different ways to approach reading with various age groups is also covered so that parents are aware that of how best to engage their children in the process. The program has been funded by FACs grant funding and organised in conjunction with Singleton Council Community Services section. See attached brochure
3. Websites and research · http://www.literacymatters.org.au/ Looking for evidence in how libraries can support literacy rates? The WA School Library Association (WASLA) has created an easy to navigate website that is a repository of many referenced articles about literacy, including: Ø reports from Australia and other countries Ø articles on reading, digital literacy and reading from the screen Ø national and international literacy initiatives Ø info graphics on literacy Ø how libraries are tackling literacy around the world
· Australian Industry Group report into workplace literacy Ø http://pdf.aigroup.asn.au/reports/AIG9675_EMAIL.pdf
· http://www.literacynetwork.org.au/ - a tutoring service in the Northern Beaches area
4. Wiki for Working Group have had the blog created by the Taking the Lead group Literacy Services for Public Libraries added to the State Library Services Wiki’s and Blogs page Also created a Blog page for the group but have yet to add anything as I am still working that out!!!! http://plnswliteracy.wikifoundry.com It will be modelled on the following page http://referenceandinformationservices.wikifoundry.com/
5. Planning for the Libraries and Literacy Seminar Guest speakers have been secured Timing of the day to be ironed out. Will try and organise a panel discussion with workers in the field. Literacy Resources buying day will take place in the afternoon – Bookery will bring the latest resources. Publicity – Eventbrite page to be created
At next meeting will call for people to be involved in running the day
6. Manager’s Report The group currently does not have a dedicated manager
7. Information Sharing Kuring-Gai - have early literacy and conversation groups run by Council.
Burwood - are beginning to bring all their programs together to ‘badge’ them as Literacy to highlight the social benefit of the libraries contributions. They are running English conversation classes, Burwood babies, preschool story time, Play & learn for parents/grandparents of the 0-3’s to teach the importance of playing with the children, a main target being the Chinese community. Funding was gained for training staff. They also have a Toy Library, work with the students from TAFE on IELTS, and have them learning to do Story time across a term.
Lane Cove – have Chinese grandparent groups, and also Indian, Armenian & Russian. They utilise the Catholic Schools yr. 12 students who do a Community Service subject to work with older adults on technology eg. computer help. Council runs various training programs in the library space. Free ESL class once a week with a volunteer tutor. Sydney City – code club sign up for six sessions. Scratch game also
Bayside – English conversation classes. Broadband for seniors. Also use High School students for teaching seniors their devices. Offering coding sessions.
Singleton – create links with U3A and other Community organisations to run sessions for filling in forms, Tech savvy classes, BYO tech twice a month – also take this out to community venues. Writer’s group, Anime group, robotics club. Adult tutoring programme it’s hard to attract people – talk to council workers and the union.
General comments – AMES has been taken over by Navitas. -if you have trouble with staff up take of new resources get the supplier in to run training
The Meeting closed at 4pm