Public Libraries & Knowledge Centres

Latest News

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 LKCs (pdf 180kb)

"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 3 - 7 September 2007. The Forum is an important event where Community Library Officer’s receive training to increase their library and information technology skills and to share information and ideas about their library service.

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/.

screenshot

Resources

National Policy Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services and Collections
Created by National and State Libraries Australasia (formerly CASL)

"Libraries and Knowledge Centres in the Northern Territory" in Libraries and Indigenous Knowledge: A National Forum for Libraries, Archives and Information Services. Edited by Martin Nakata and Marcia Langton, UTS ePress, 2007. (p.25-33)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols for Libraries, Archives and Information Services

Links for libraries serving Indigenous Customers

Further information:
Libraries and Knowledge Centres Progress Report November 2006 (pdf 517Kb)
Libraries and Knowledge Centres Newsletters

Or, please contact the LKC Unit or email: ntlinfo.dlghs@nt.gov.au