Library Service in a Linguistically Diverse Community: Study of Public Library
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are ;
- To identify the languages spoken in the community and assess the current library services available for each language group.
- To determine the level of utilization of library services by individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds.
- To identify the barriers that prevent individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds from accessing library services, such as language barriers, cultural differences, or accessibility issues.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Services to Indigenous / Minority Communities
Public libraries in providing sources of information for minority communities or indigenous peoples aim to preserve the cultural information of a group and form of recognition of their ethnic existence. This activity is carried out to ensure that minority groups or indigenous peoples can maintain their rights to access information about their culture. In this case, the public library in presenting services to indigenous groups is divided into two, namely active involvement and passive involvement. Active involvement is the involvement of librarians and indigenous groups in preserving indigenous peoples’ knowledge. Passive involvement does not directly seek and record indigenous knowledge and involve indigenous groups but use other methods such as purchasing. The method of purchase is carried out by taking into account the conditions of the surrounding indigenous communities (Johnson 2009, 129). Public libraries perform various ways to attract attention and provide excellent service to indigenous peoples. Blackburn (2017, 292) explains that the Alice Springs Public Library provides services to Aboriginal communities by holding Kulini-Kulini and Akaltye Antheme programs. The meaning and purpose of the Kulini-Kulini program is a call to invite Aboriginal community groups to come to the Public Library with the aim of creating a space that encourages Aboriginal youth to use the library more and Kulini-Kulini means “Listen, listen,listen”. The second program, namely the Akaltye Antheme Collection, is an effort by public libraries to protect the rights of aboriginal people to obtain information about their history and culture. “Akaltye Antheme” is translated into English as “Giving Knowledge”, indicating the agreement between the Arrernte indigenous groups and other Aboriginal groups to be involved in the creation of collections that offer local culture in their own language. This activity attracted indigenous groups to come to the Alice Springs Public Library and the number of visitors increased by 30%. The Akaltye Antheme collection by involving Aboriginal indigenous groups to develop the collection by displaying local cultural works has a positive impact. According to Blackburn, the involvement of Aboriginal community groups was instrumental in providing input to public library services at the Alice Springs library. In line with that, in Jain & Jibril’s (2016) study, it was identified that the collection of information on indigenous knowledge in Botswana was carried out by public libraries involving indigenous groups. The collection of indigenous knowledge uses a strategy, namely by visiting tribal chiefs, being interviewed, and videotaped. The preservation of indigenous knowledge is aimed at understanding the origins of the community for indigenous groups and also making it a tourist attraction that attracts tourists. The form of media used for capturing and preserving indigenous knowledge is through CD. In addition, to provide a source of information that users can use, efforts are needed to understand the reading culture of a group. Unlike the dominant community groups, ethnic minority groups in a country tend to have low reading interest. In Mhlongo & Ngulube’s research (2019), public libraries in South Africa see indigenous groups as having very low reading interest. By looking at these conditions, public libraries make innovations by providing sources of information that can be used by Aboriginal groups. Apart from books, formats such as digital versatile disc (DVD), compact disc (CD), and electronic books (e-books) are part of the library collections which are often used by indigenous groups. Provision of information in different formats is used with a response to see low reading interest so that it requires an affirmative approach to attract the attention of South African indigenous groups to visit the Public Library.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Library service in a linguistically diverse community: study of public library. Public library in Uyo form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Library service in a linguistically diverse community: study of public library. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing an Library service in a linguistically diverse community: study of public library
Summary
This study was on Library service in a linguistically diverse community: study of public library. Three objectives were raised which included: To identify the languages spoken in the community and assess the current library services available for each language group, to determine the level of utilization of library services by individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds and to identify the barriers that prevent individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds from accessing library services, such as language barriers, cultural differences, or accessibility issues. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from public library in Uyo. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study on library service in a linguistically diverse community has shown that public libraries can play an essential role in serving diverse populations. The study found that libraries can provide access to materials in multiple languages, offer programs and services that support the cultural and linguistic needs of the community, and hire staff who reflect the diversity of the community. However, there are still challenges in providing equitable services to all members of the community, such as limited resources and language barriers. To overcome these challenges, libraries should continue to engage with their communities and explore innovative solutions. Overall, this study highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing linguistic and cultural diversity in public libraries and the critical role they can play in supporting inclusive communities.
Recommendation
Based on the findings of the study on library service in a linguistically diverse community, the following recommendations can be made:
Increase the availability of materials in multiple languages to better serve the needs of linguistically diverse communities.
Provide training for library staff to develop cultural competency and language skills to improve communication and understanding with diverse populations.
Foster partnerships with community organizations and local schools to create programs and services that cater to the unique needs of different language groups.
Conduct outreach to underserved communities to ensure that they are aware of the resources and services available at the library.
Develop a system to collect feedback from diverse communities to better understand their needs and preferences, and use this feedback to improve library services.
Allocate sufficient resources to support initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in library services.
References
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