The Cooloola Shire’s Gympie Library’s Indigenous Resource Unit has developed a project that is providing greater resources for the indigenous community, as well as increasing the general community’s awareness of indigenous issues.
The vast collection of resources of the Cool in Lib project includes books, magazines, papers, videos and CDs with an indigenous theme, as well as historical photos and documents. Project Manager, Vicki Shapcott, believes that there has been an enhanced feeling of belonging and acceptance into the wider community for indigenous people, an enhanced knowledge of and sense of pride in their history, and the establishment of an excellent historical resource.
“We hope that familiarity with and use of general library facilities will lead to improved literacy levels and a breaking down of any technology barriers through familiarisation and training,” Vicki Shapcott said. “As a result of the project, the general community has access to cultural information, where appropriate, and cultural contact through talks and displays that will assist in the reconciliation process. Researchers will have local access to relevant historical and anthropological resources, and educators and carers will have resource material to assist in providing the young with an experience of other cultures.”
Council believes that this project is the first of its kind in an independent library service in Queensland and, as such, is offering its services to other libraries in an advisory capacity.
For further information, contact Vicki Shapcott on (07) 5481 0859.
