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Northern Territory Library

Public Libraries & Knowledge Centres

Northern Territory Library receives Access to Learning Award.

Public Libraries and Knowledge Centres (PLKCs) are places where members of remote communities can go for social interaction, to share knowledge and access a range of information and communications technologies. Libraries and Knowledge Centres support the Northern Territory Government's vision for strong, sustainable communities. The goal is to contribute to the development of communities through the provision of appropriate library and information services and improved access to relevant historical and cultural information.

Map of Libraries and Knowledge Centres (pdf 2.2Mb)

"With our Library giving us a hand looking after our Knowledge Centre in Anmatyerr Council. I think the young men have got a lot out of that. We've shared all the stories between us as well." Mr Tony Ngwarray Scrutton, Council Chairman, of Anmatjere Regional Council.

News

Community Library Officers’ Forum

Northern Territory Library hosted the annual Community Library Officers’ Forum on 15-19th September 2008. The Forum is an important opportunity for Community Library Officers to participate in training to increase their library and information technology skills and to share experiences and ideas about their library service. As many of the libraries are located in remote parts of the Northern Territory the Forum also helps to overcome some of the challenges of isolation.

This year's Forum theme was "Libraries buildling local stories and linking communities to global information".

The program was designed to further develop skills in:

  • Networking between libraries,
  • Support of early childhood learning and literacy,
  • Use of online resources,
  • Interview techniques to record oral histories,
  • Use of IT and multimedia equipment, and
  • Selecting new resources.
CLO Forum Report 2008 (pdf 520Kb)

PLKC staff with Community Library Officers at the 2008 CLO forum
PLKC staff with Community Library Officers at the 2008 CLO forum

Literacy Project

In 2007, NTL is focusing on an early years literacy strategy for remote communities. The goal of the project is to develop and deliver appropriate library programs for Indigenous communities to promote and improve literacy, particularly in the 0-5 age group. The strategy has been developed in response to one of the recommendations in the Evaluation of the Northern Territory Library's Libraries and Knowledge Centres Model (see below). The key deliverables of the Literacy Project are: A program of activities and tools designed to enhance family literacy practices in Indigenous communities, training materials for Community Library Officers, and other professionals and volunteers who may deliver literacy programs or facilitate activities aimed at enhancing literacy. A published evaluation of the programs, which can be used to inform and improve future practice. 

LKC Program wins Award

In September 2006 the LKC Program won the inaugural Chief Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Sector Management in the category of Engagement with the Community and was highly commended in the category of Indigenous Community Development. The awards were presented during the week of the annual training forum for Community Library Officers (CLOs) in Darwin. The provided an opportunity for NTL staff to celebrate with CLOs. Cate Richmond, Assistant Director, LKC, commented that NTL could not have won the awards without the ongoing commitment of all CLOs, who work very hard to provide library services in their remote communities.

LKC Program

The LKC Program is being implemented and supported by the Libraries and Knowledge Centres Team at NTL. The Program is in the following communities, with more to be added in 2007:
Milingimbi, Wadeye, Peppimenarti, Umbakumba, Angurugu, Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti, Barunga, Ti Tree,

Ltyentye Apurte

Libraries and Knowledge Centres:

  • Provide access to knowledge and information through core library services, including English literacy and information literacy programs.
  • Enable the acquisition and preservation of local knowledge.
  • Provide training and support to community members engaged in acquiring and preserving knowledge.
  • Provide access to recreational activities for all groups within the community.

 

Evaluation of the LKC Model
In 2005, NTL commissioned Professor Martin Nakata and a team of academics to review the LKC model. Evaluation of the Northern Territory Library's Libraries and Knowledge Centres Model (pdf 1271Kb) is now available.

Also available is NTL's Response to the Evaluation of the Northern Territory Library's Libraries and Knowledge Centres Model (pdf 118Kb).

Other LKC publications are listed below. For further information please contact the LKC Unit, contact details listed below.

'Our Story' Database

The Our Story database is a key part of the new LKC model. It uses the Ara Irititja software developed for Anangu Pitjantjatjara communities in Central Australia. It stores photographs, videos, sound recordings and other documentary items. An important feature of the database is the ability to restrict access to individual items to cater for cultural sensitivities. Further information about the Ara Irititja software can be obtained from the website: http://www.irititja.com/.

 

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