Working Group on Multicultural Library Services (NSW) Meeting Thursday the 7th of November 2013 State Library of NSW
Apologies :
Danju Wong, Billy Zhang, Yan Ping, Laurence McDonnell
Minutes of previous meeting: The minutes were accepted by Wendy Ford and seconded by Roman Ciereszko seconded without change Matters arising from previous minutes:
Spanish Audio Books: This site has been tested but Oriana advised that as it is in Spanish therefore it could be difficult for library staff to use. It is for Spanish speaking clients to access. It’s an excellent resource for book clubs. The Librarian from Cervantes will issue libraries with a password to access this site
Action: Oriana will send out instructions for the use of this website.
Multicultural Website
The current website is difficult to navigate however the new design will make it easier to find information
Action: Oriana will advise libraries when the new multicultural website is available.
LOTE Magazines and Newspapers-
Any library that has not yet sent their holding to Shauna could you please do so asap
Action: Shauna will circulate this document to the group.
Guest Speaker : Barry Nunn
Barry gave a brief overview of accessibility at the State Library of NSW. Working with Oriana, Barry will be offering adaptive technology resources to the LOTE community. He recently purchased the Readit Wand for the State Library.
The Readit Wand is a highly advanced portable autoreader / CCTV system for close up work. It is light; weighing just 690 grams and suitable for computer users of all ability levels. To use you place your document under the camera, press enter on your keyboard and a few seconds later, the document is read aloud to you, in your chosen text size, colour and formatting and in other languages than just English such as Chinese and Korean, Vietnamese is expected soon. The Readit Wand is for any visually impaired or blind computer user (not advanced!), who wants near instant, easy and accurate access to printed or electronic format documents. It can supply an MP3 takeaway recording. Priced at approximately $2,300 it is not cheap but worth investigating further. It was suggested that the State may be able to lend it to libraries to trial before they purchase. If enough libraries are interested in purchasing there may be a consortia deal to be had
Once the wand it fully operational Barry will notify libraries and offer a demonstration here at the State Library.
Guest Speaker : Douglas Chen, BMV
Currently Chinese readers find it difficult to source E- books, newspapers and magazines from one source. There are several suppliers offering this service but only from individual publishers Douglas Chen from BMV is currently negotiating with publishers in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong to develop an aggregated e resources service which will deliver books, magazines and newspapers in both simplified and traditional scripts. The site will combine all the requirements of libraries and clients. The advantages include one platform to service the library and one connection therefore simplifying the cost and infrastructure. Multiple vendors will provide access to a larger variety of titles. Catalogues can be supplied as can MARC records.
This system provides a streamlined user experience. It’s similar to Overdrive and would use a password and a unique PIN which clients would use to log onto the Library website which would have a link to access this website. Clients could select titles from the catalogue and download the e- book to their own device. Multiple users will be priced accordingly. Reservation of titles is not possible at this time. Depending on the publisher multiple use of titles may be possible. Newspapers will be searchable. Libraries can determine what their requirements are. It is expected that this service will be available early 2014.
Action : Shauna will arrange a hands on information session early in 2014 when this service is available
LOTE Purchasing Information Session 2014 The Cooperative Coordinator is organizing a LOTE purchasing information session for all NSW public libraries early 2014. This aim of this session is to bring together LOTE suppliers and libraries to discuss their needs, expectations and requirements and how best suppliers can assist libraries Action: Feedback and suggestions on how this session would take shape is required. Please email Shauna with your suggestions. Strategic Plan:
The group updated the current Strategic Plan.
Page 5 :
Ageing: Improved resources and services for the ageing CALD community
Update MyLanguage website Search for appropriate material. Allocate members of the working group to identify relevant resources in their language and communicate and report back to the working group Develop a contact list of speakers who would be available to talk to CALD groups on a variety of topics Website updated
Comprehensive list of available resources for purchase available
Template available on website Appoint a committee to pursue this outcome
Action : A committee needs to be formed to follow up on this objective
Page 6
Improve access to CALD resources Submit a proposal requesting that the State Library upgrades records in script to improve accessibility Reduce costs of cataloguing for public libraries Proposal submitted
Cataloguing costs reduced A meeting was held with State Library departments in 2012 with no success
MC Coop to provide annual report
Action Laurence McDonnell to follow up on this matter and write to the State Library
Page 6 Objective 2
Members understand benchmarks & their application & feel confident in using them Organize professional development seminars on the 5 benchmark areas - Planning - Organizational capacity to develop & deliver services and collections - Quality of - Service/Collections - Promotion and marketing evaluation Number of seminars held 2014 - Appoint a committee to follow up on this objective
Action: Wendy Ford, Kathy Yang, Mirjana Djukic, Oriana Acevedo and Laurence McDonnell will form the committee to follow up on this objective
Giggly Times
The 2 volume set (including a CD) titled Giggly Times is available for purchase. At $25.00 for the set please contact Shauna if you wish to purchase a set for your library.
MyLanguage
Oriana has asked for feedback from libraries re the MyLanguage website. Some libraries are using it well but it is starting to get harder to navigate due to the amount of information on the site and feedback is required to make the site more accessible.
Electronic Signage
This signage consists of a welcome sign in several languages. If you want a copy of please contact Oriana and she will send you a copy. If you experience any problems opening the signage please let Oriana know. She will investigate why problems are happening opening this file. Please note new Bookmarks have been printed with Nepalese listed Providing Service to Minorities Oriana has been sending sourcing resources suitable for libraries and their CALD communities. This material includes Taxation in Australia, Diabetes: What you need to know. Most of this material is free but some are incur a cost. Oriana will notify libraries when she has these resources available. Grant Applications Last year Noel Willis and Anne Hall worked on a grant application to raise awareness of library services for emerging communities. However due to the lack of available grant funds it wasn’t successful . We have reapplied for this grant. Laurence McDonnell (Library Manager-Auburn Library) on behalf of the working group will update the application and resubmit it on our behalf. SBS Project Oriana contacted SBS radio and met with 2 programmers to discuss this project. They are enthusiastic to set up a partnership with public libraries and the State Library to discuss library services for the CALD community. They suggested that any programs aired on SBS radio must be engaging. Oriana suggested that anyone that volunteers to take part in this project must be interesting and appealing and captivating. We are awaiting for the SBS to come back to us with a programme. Once we have this we will work out what we are going to say. Volunteers will be “interviewed” to see if they are suitable. Action: If you are interested in being on the radio contact Oriana
GENERAL BUSINESS
• The Multicultural Excellence Awards will be presented at the Switch Conference Dinner in November.
• Canada Bay is looking for New Chinese Magazine suppliers if anyone can help please contact Lisa Benham
• The Dwalhi festival was held at Canterbury Library
• In house selection for Korean Vietnamese, Chinese and Greek – will be held in Canterbury Library all libraries are welcome to attend
The meetings for 2014:
13th February - Canterbury 8th May - Burwood 13th August - Manly 13th November-State Library