OLS-NORTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2012
YOUR LIBRARY AND YOUR COMMUNITY’S CULTURAL IDENTITY
Marjatta AsuService Team Lead – Skills Development
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
The 3 V’s of Culture
Meaning Channel
Values Identity, customs, memories, stories, standards, beliefs
Celebrations, festivals, museums, libraries, art and heritage collections
Vibe Buzz, the culture that pours out into the street
Shops, stores, restaurants, cafes, clubs, pubs, architecture, public spaces (e.g., parks)
Virtuosity Expression of artistic excellence and appreciation of artistic merit
Music, drama, dance, visual arts, craft, sculpture, design, movies, books, poems, stories and new media
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 Nbisiing Anishnaabemwin Language Camp Nbisiing Traditional Knowledge Revitalization
Project: A Cultural Plan for Nipissing First Nation
What are libraries doing? Arts
Powassan Art GroupEnever Room
Meet, paint and learn
Community workshops
Downstairs Gallery
Museum + Art Pass (MAP)Sun Life Financial partnershipFree passes to arts and cultural institutions
Powassan and District Union Public Library Toronto Public Library
What are libraries doing? HeritageSchreiber Public LibraryHeritage mural (125th)Community quiltCemetery tour brochureSchreiber heritage brochureAlong 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 mapping1.Asset mapping
Identifies and records tangible cultural resources often using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
2.Community identity mapping Explores intangible cultural resources Stories, traditions, ‘sense of place’
Municipal cultural mapping (examples)
Creative
cultural industri
es
Libraries & archivesRadio and TVTheatre Publishing Graphic designers
ParksFarms & orchardsConservation authoritiesNatural history site
Community artsHistorical societiesMulticulturalAboriginal
Digital & media studiosLibraries & archivesTheatersPerforming arts
Archaeological sitesAboriginal heritage sitesHistoric sitesHeritage districts
County fairsFilm festivalsMulticultural festivalsPublic art tours
http://mappingauthenticity.com/work/resources/concepts/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 communityIdentify 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
Cultural planning process
City of Nanaimo’s New Cultural Planhttp://www.nanaimo.ca/EN/main/departments/parks-recreation-culture/Culture.html
Environmental scan
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?
External scan (community) Internal scan (library)
Toolkit: 1. Sample survey 2. Library scan checklist
External: Community cultural survey1. Who are the cultural leaders in your
community?2. Name 5 cultural organizations in your
community3. Can you name some cultural events
that have taken place in your community in the past 5 years?
4. 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 strategies1. Research the organization2. Identify what the library has to offer3. Clarify what it is the library needs and
expects from a partner4. Establish a working relationship5. Identify type of partnership6. Build the relationship7. 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 funding1. Assist municipalities
and First Nation communities develop cultural resources and integrate cultural planning
2. Support the creation of tools and initiatives
3. Encourage partnerships and models
New program 2013
Northern examplesAtikokanDryden Nipissing First NationWawa
http://www.grants.gov.on.ca/GrantsPortal/en/OntarioGrants/GrantOpportunities/OSAPQA005128
Tips for successful cultural planning1. Focus on assets not needs2. Mobilize and empower community
leaders and champions3. Make sure everyone is on the same
page4. Engage all sectors of the community5. Be inclusive
Resources
Your Library and Your Community’s Cultural Identity: Community Development Toolkit #3, OLS-North 2011
Mississauga Culture on the Maphttp://www.mississauga.ca/portal/discover/culturalmapping
Municipal Cultural Planninghttp://www.ontariomcp.ca/
Creative Communities Prosperity Fundhttp://www.grants.gov.on.ca/GrantsPortal/en/OntarioGrants/GrantOpportunities/OSAPQA005128
What is your library doing?
Capacity Building TeamOntario Library Service – North
[email protected] ext. 507