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 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 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

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 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

marketing@olsn.ca1-800-461-6348 ext. 507