Incredibly proud to have my paper proposal accepted. I will be a part of the International Federation of Library Associations satellite meeting in Belgrade, Serbia. While I figure out the logistics of getting there, I will also be writing and researching during every spare second of my days (and nights).
Local History and Genealogy joint session with Asia and Oceania
Theme 1: Libraries as mediators, producers and partners in the development of community awareness and cultural understanding
Theme 2: Local History and Genealogy in multi-ethnic societies, the impact of genetic mapping and digitized sources
Date: 21-22 August 2019 Location: University Library, “Svetozar Markovic”, Belgrade, Serbia
A look at my abstract:
Increasing the cultural awareness impact of libraries on their communities
Taking an active approach to promoting cultural education and community awareness is vital to our communities. The world is changing at a rapid pace. While some cultures all but die out, others permeate. Libraries share a responsibility to promote, not just information literacy, but cultural literacy as well.
By collecting local history, oral histories, and personal effects from a particular area or group, libraries are preserving information. However, if those valued items are never disseminated in an accessible way, they serve little use to patrons. Instead, we need to take a proactive approach to cultural education by visually engaging our patrons. Patrons may never seek books or information on cultures or interests other than their own, but when displays, exhibits, and performances make them visible to everyone, they will take notice. Over half of the world’s population are visual learners. Hosting exhibitions and curating displays with cultural education and community awareness in mind can expand the community’s understanding.
As places where all people – despite education and socio-economic status – are welcome, libraries reach a broad audience. They also offer the unparalleled opportunity to follow-up, by
having the informational resources available for continued learning. These culturally inspired events are the perfect platform for encouraging open dialogue.
This paper demonstrates using cultural literacy as a guide in creating displays and exhibits and in turn, using those tools to create cultural awareness and education. Plans for finding collaborators, marketing to build participation, and designing digital displays to enhance accessibility will also be presented.
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