Kirsten Thorpe is a Senior Researcher and Cultural and Critical Archivist at the Jumbunna Institute for Education and Research at the University of Technology, Sydney.  She is a graduate PhD candidate from Monash University.

What do you see as the barriers for Indigenous peoples and communities accessing libraries?

On a basic level, libraries can be intimidating places if you are not familiar with the ways that you can use them. There is this great myth that libraries are for everyone, a place of open access for all to enjoy. However, libraries can also be viewed as dangerous places, especially if collections are offensive or outdated, or if programming is not tailored to the needs of the local community.

The first University degree I studied was through the Wollotuka Education Centre at the University of Newcastle in the early 1990s. I was fortunate to have an in-house Library at Wollotuka that had specialist resources focussed on Aboriginal history and politics, many of which were created by Aboriginal people. Having the Library housed in the Centre, and curated by Indigenous people made it accessible and removed barriers for access.

Sometimes barriers exist when relationships between a library, its staff, and members of the Aboriginal community do not exist. There is currently a major lack of pathways for Aboriginal people to get jobs in local public libraries. The library is a different place when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are employed, it brings vibrancy and relevance, for Indigenous perspectives to be shared within the library services.

On a more structural level, libraries operate in ways that often conflict with Indigenous ways of managing and transmitting knowledge.  Libraries have also been places that uphold privilege and power, and they have held histories that may have marginalised Indigenous people.

In your opinion, what can libraries do better to work with Indigenous peoples and communities? 

Libraries become more relevant when you see yourself represented in them. I have visited many public libraries and academic libraries around Australia. Some get it right so right, others not so much. One area of real concern is the mantra that ‘the library is there for everyone’ which sometimes translates into a lack of recognition of diversity. Good service design means trying to experience a library through the eyes of a diverse demographic. Such as youth services, outreach, children’s story time or engaging with the elderly. It is important that libraries don’t work on assumptions when developing these services, they should talk to people about their needs and see what services are needed to make the library more relevant.

Every public library in Australia should acknowledge their local people and engage with local communities to tell stories about their areas. Collections should represent local interests so the wider community can gain an appreciation for the depth and length of Australian history. The State Library has developed a strategy for Indigenous Spaces in the Library; spaces where people can discover ways to build a vibrant public library network inclusive of Indigenous people.

Libraries need to commit to long-term engagement and change. Start by endorsing the ATSILIRN Protocols – The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols for Libraries, Archives and Information Services – and develop a long-term action plan to support their development.

How can Library professionals support their Indigenous colleagues? 

Three priority areas for me are: Library professionals building skills and competencies, Library curriculum and ongoing professional development including Indigenous perspectives, and renewed support for Indigenous employment pathways.

There is a large focus within the National and State Libraries Australia (NSLA) and ALIA for Library professionals to build cultural competency.  Focus on building skills and knowledge. There are online courses to build knowledge and competencies. Library colleagues can also support the inclusion of Indigenous content in courses, and in ongoing professional development to encourage discussion and debate. We need allies to support a renewed focus on Indigenous employment pathways, this might mean making decisions to reallocate resources. Library professionals can advocate for a renewed focus and commitment to Indigenous priorities whether it is in their local library, or through professional activities.

What advice do you have for students or graduates?

Get involved! Make connections with local Indigenous networks and support Indigenous priorities in the library sector, such as the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages, which supports Indigenous languages and culture.

References:

Thorpe,K. (2019, January 23). TRANSFORMATIVE PRAXIS – BUILDING SPACES FOR INDIGENOUS SELF-DETERMINATION IN LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES. In the Library With The Lead Pipe.