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YOUR LIBRARY AND YOUR COMMUNITY’S CULTURAL IDENTITY. Marjatta Asu Service Team Lead – Skills Development. OLS-NORTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012. The role of public libraries. UNESCO and IFLA Public Library Manifesto:
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YOUR LIBRARY AND YOUR COMMUNITY’S CULTURAL IDENTITY MarjattaAsu Service Team Lead – Skills Development OLS-NORTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012
The role of public libraries UNESCO and IFLA Public Library Manifesto: “The public library, the local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social groups.” • Belief in the public library as a living force for education, culture and information, and • An essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women 1 UNESCO, UNCESO/IFLA Library Manifestos, http://www.unesco.org/webworld/libraries/manifestos.html
What is culture? City of Mississauga’s cultural plan, 2009
What are libraries doing? Language • Northern Ontario • English, French, Ojibway, Cree, OjiCree • Toronto Public Library • Online language learning products • Newcomer workshops • ESL classes and reading circles • Canadian Cultural Café • Nipissing First Nation Public Library • Partners with community’s Language Committee • NbisiingAnishnaabemwin Language Camp • Nbisiing Traditional Knowledge Revitalization Project: A Cultural Plan for Nipissing First Nation
What are libraries doing? Arts Powassan and District Union Public Library Toronto Public Library Powassan Art Group • Enever Room • Meet, paint and learn • Community workshops • Downstairs Gallery Museum + Art Pass (MAP) • Sun Life Financial partnership • Free passes to arts and cultural institutions
What are libraries doing? Heritage Schreiber Public Library • Heritage mural (125th) • Community quilt • Cemetery tour brochure • Schreiber heritage brochure • Along the Track • Multi-library heritage project
Municipal Cultural Planning (MCP) • “The strategic and integrated planning and use of cultural resources for economic and community development.” • Community assets and their benefits • Municipalities and First Nation communities began integrating cultural planning (2003) • The library’s place at the table Municipal Cultural Planning http://www.ontariomcp.ca/
Municipal cultural mapping Two types of cultural mapping • Asset mapping • Identifies and records tangible cultural resources often using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) • Community identity mapping • Explores intangible cultural resources • Stories, traditions, ‘sense of place’
Municipal cultural mapping (examples) Creative cultural industries Parks Farms & orchards Conservation authorities Natural history site Libraries & archives Radio and TV Theatre Publishing Graphic designers Digital & media studios Libraries & archives Theaters Performing arts County fairs Film festivals Multicultural festivals Public art tours Community arts Historical societies Multicultural Aboriginal Archaeological sites Aboriginal heritage sites Historic sites Heritage districts http://mappingauthenticity.com/work/resources/concepts/cultural-mapping/
Cultural map and directory Perth County, http://www.perthartsconnect.ca/pdfs/PAC_Directory_DF.pdf
Cultural map and directory Cultural Mapping, http://wawaculture.com/cultural-mapping/
Cultural resource inventory • A crucial step in the municipal cultural planning process • A list of the community’s cultural resources • Includes organizations, people, buildings, land, etc. • Don’t have one? Good role for the library? Supports a range of activities: • Policy development and planning for community • Identify internal infrastructure (arts, culture, heritage and other aspects of the life of the community) • Resource allocation (e.g., funding to institutions, organizations and individuals) • Marketing and promotion
Cultural resource inventory • London, Cultural Resource Mapping and Asset Inventory: the framework • http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Cultural_Prosperity/culturemapping.htm
Innovative cultural resources map http://www.cultureonthemap.ca/mapcms/com/index.html
Planning cycle Work with Cultural Planning Committee
Cultural planning process • City of Nanaimo’s New Cultural Plan http://www.nanaimo.ca/EN/main/departments/parks-recreation-culture/Culture.html
Environmental scan External scan (community) Internal scan (library) • Cultural level of interest • Hidden cultural resources • Cultural needs not currently met • Library’s cultural strengths and weaknesses • What is library doing or what could it be doing to meet community’s cultural needs? Toolkit: 1. Sample survey 2. Library scan checklist
External: Community cultural survey • Who are the cultural leaders in your community? • Name 5 cultural organizations in your community • Can you name some cultural events that have taken place in your community in the past 5 years? • Is your library a cultural organization?
Internal: Library scan checklist • Public arts displays • Arts meeting space • Access to local history • Cultural programs • Language resources • Hosting language classes • Writing workshops • Municipal cultural planning and mapping • Partnership with museums and galleries • Partner with local history/ genealogical groups • Community festivals and events • Access to genealogical resources • Local authors and poets • Cultural resources inventory
Partnership development strategies • Research the organization • Identify what the library has to offer • Clarify what it is the library needs and expects from a partner • Establish a working relationship • Identify type of partnership • Build the relationship • Don’t get discouraged Partnership Tool Kit: Assisting Northern Ontario’s Public Libraries in Initiating Community Partnerships. OLS-North, 2007
Creative Communities Prosperity Fund (CCPF) • Objective of funding • Assist municipalities and First Nation communities develop cultural resources and integrate cultural planning • Support the creation of tools and initiatives • Encourage partnerships and models • New program 2013 Northern examples • Atikokan • Dryden • Nipissing First Nation • Wawa http://www.grants.gov.on.ca/GrantsPortal/en/OntarioGrants/ GrantOpportunities/OSAPQA005128
Tips for successful cultural planning • Focus on assets not needs • Mobilize and empower community leaders and champions • Make sure everyone is on the same page • Engage all sectors of the community • Be inclusive
Resources • Your Library and Your Community’s Cultural Identity: Community Development Toolkit #3, OLS-North 2011 • Mississauga Culture on the Map http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/discover/culturalmapping • Municipal Cultural Planning http://www.ontariomcp.ca/ • Creative Communities Prosperity Fund http://www.grants.gov.on.ca/GrantsPortal/en/OntarioGrants/GrantOpportunities/OSAPQA005128
What is your library doing? Capacity Building Team Ontario Library Service – North marketing@olsn.ca 1-800-461-6348 ext. 507