Common needs discussed

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Librarians "like to help each other" said Jane Kirby, virtual library manager for the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. One of the 17,000 librarians, publishers and writers who came to Toronto in mid-June for "Looking North to New Horizons" the joint American and Canadian Library Associations' conference, Kirby spoke about challenges facing tribal libraries in the U.S.

Though their circumstances may vary, they have common needs, and the conference offered Aboriginal librarians and those who serve Aboriginal populations many opportunities to meet colleagues from across North America, plan for the future and collect tons of souvenirs, including "I Survived Toronto" buttons.

Participants heard how librarians and "friends of the library" could aid tribal libraries, tribal college libraries, and public libraries.

A shortage of funds means "many Northern Ontario First Nations do not have a library," said Patty Lawlor, who works for the Southern Ontario Library Service.

"I don't have a budget for fiction unless it's Native American fiction," commented Kirby. She suggested this solution: "Public libraries that buy eight copies of a bestseller could donate the excess copies to a tribal library."

She also pointed out that libraries need more than books. "Consider furniture and shelving donations," help with grants and proposal writing, professional development and training, and "adopt a library."

"Tribal libraries are in desperate straights," according to Kelly Webster (Oneida), vice-president of the American Indian Library Association.

"Many tribal libraries feel overwhelmed," she said, since "most [staff] are learning on the job. Tribal colleges are in better shape. Those with a library degree will be in the tribal college library."

Speakers talked about the library's vital role in the community.

"Librarians can do more than simply circulate books," commented David Ongley, director of the Tuzzy Consortium Library in Barrow, Alaska.

"Many communities have one institution that is museum, library, cultural centre- and sometimes it is the school," said Deborah Pelletier, co-ordinator of Aboriginal Resources and Services for the National Library of Canada. Involved with the merger of the National Library and the National Archives, Pelletier's focus is working with Aboriginal communities "to create a circle of Aboriginal heritage and knowledge within this institution."

Relationships contribute to a library's success, but developing relationships takes time, delegates said. "Shyness is a barrier," advised Ongley. "Distance is a big problem."

"Elders were the original librarians," said Lawlor, who talked about what is happening on the Ontario scene. "When First Nations Public Library Week began four years ago, it had no budget. This year the poster went to all libraries in Ontario."

She noted that, in Canada, the federal government funds museums and programs but funding for libraries comes from the province.

On the West Coast, British Columbia First Nations "have specific information needs that are not shared by other groups in the province" said Gene Joseph, librarian and archivist and the first Aboriginal person in British Columbia to graduate from the University of British Columbia with a master's degree in library science. "B.C. is one of the last regions in North America to be negotiating treaties. Seventy per cent of B.C. First Nations are in varying stages of treaty negotiations." She related how public libraries have extended their services, but there are no public libraries on reserves, which are home to half the Native population.

Signa Daum Shanks, a lawyer and University of Toronto professor, took participants on a walk through the complicated world of copyright law. In an insightful presentation looking at sovereignty issues and ownership, she asked, "Who is the law-maker? Whose laws are you going to break?"

Jean Whitehorse was a panelist for Public Library Service to U.S. and Canadian Frst Nations Libraries. She is also co-ordinator of the New Mexico State Library Tribal Libraries Program, Crownpoint.

She used a Navajo rug to explain how to implement computer technology. "If you can use a slot machine, you can use a computer, and you won't lose any money."

Whitehorse likened sheep to community assessment; shearing to advocacy; raw materials to funding; washing and dying to technical support and outreach at the chapters; carding and spinning to collaboration with others, such as boys' and girls' clubs; tools to computer hardware; and design and pattern to training, technical support, computer upgrading and accomplishment.

Participants heard about the not-yet-open Kahnawake public library. A 13-year-old girl who wanted a library wrote a letter to the band council, and the local newspaper printed it. Her request received international attention. More than 30,000 books came in, from as far as Iceland, Australia and Alaska. They are housed in an old bakery, with cataloguing and fundraising still underway.

Hearing such encouraging stories, librarians can look forward to June 2004, when the Canadian Library Association joins with the B.C. Library Association in Victoria, for a conference that will be themed, "Celebrating Our Community: Sharing Our Values and Sharing our Value."