Minutes of the Multicultural Services and Programs Special Interest Group - held on 21st October 2015 at Reservoir Library
Minute Taker: Karmel Savahl
Chair: Mare Maticevski
Item
1. Attendance &
Apologies
Minutes
Action
By
Distribute presentation to
group via email
MM
Attendance:
David Harding (Yarra Libraries) Josefina Alvarez (Moonee Valley), Roslyn Irons (Moonee Valley), Linda Serafini
(Yarra Plenty), Karmel Savahl (Greater Dandenong), Jenny Mitchell (Whitehorse Manningham), Anne McLennan
(City of Melton), Liliana Chiriano (Maribyrnong), Bill Qi (City Library), Narelle Stute (Casey- Cardinia Library
Corp), Rita Hardy (Moreland Libraries), Brad Langoulont (Moreland Libraries).
Apologies:
Marcia McGinley (Yarra), Sue Gray (Boroondara), Vitina Agosta (Hobsons Bay)
2. Confirmation of
Minutes.
3. Convenor
Announcement
3. Presentation by
Brendan Fitzgerald –
Infoxchange
Minutes accepted
Two people have nominated that they are interested in the role of being the Convener of the MSPSIG going
forward. It was announced that Narelle Stute (Casey-Cardinia) and Mare Maticevski (Darebin) will be coconvenors of the group. Narelle & Mare can both be contacted regarding issues if required.
Brendan Fitzgerald from Infoxchange presented Digital Literacy initiatives for CALD Communities, specifically
concentrating on GO DIGI: A National Approach to Digital Literacy. The GO DIGI site is at www.godigi.org.au, and
is a partnership initiative between Infoxchange & Australia Post. 2016 will be the National Year of Digital
Inclusion, and Brendan encourages Libraries to partner with the initiative and use the website to provide and
promote learning opportunities. (e.g. Community Pop-Ups, Learning Guides, Mentoring).
Around the table discussion highlighted the following issues that most public libraries are currently experiencing
with regards to Digital Literacy within CALD Communities:
 Difficulty for the elderly regarding technology & language barrier;
 Difficulty to promote programs, given lead in times;
 Difficulty in engaging CALD Communities (hard to reach);
 Time required to fill in forms (what is the libraries role? Assisting the patron or teaching the patron
how to do it themselves);
 Understanding what forms should be filled in, and the legality involved in providing information and
completing forms (meeting the patron expectations, legal & confidentiality implications).
 Ability to provide one-to-one Digital Literacy programs in relevant Community Language works much
better but is time consuming; and
 The many layers that need to be achieved in order to obtain information (e.g. A passport application
requires an online form as well as an email address).
It was noted that by 2017 the Government was pushing to have up to 80% of the information services online.
This will increase demand.
Ideally making the learning “play & fun” would increase the likelihood of the CALD communities wanting to
engage with technology, as the biggest barrier to Digital Literacy is Confidence.
4. Seminar
5. Christmas Meeting
6. Around the table
Postponed to a future meeting, given limited time for discussion.
The Christmas Meeting (lunch) will be held in Flemington on 16 December 2015 from 11.30am.
Roslyn Irons (Moonee Valley) will forward some suggestions.
Yarra – Is currently a partner with Infoxchange. Ran a train the trainer session with them which was very
beneficial. Since then has rolled out iPad user sessions (including one on one) which have been very successful.
Casey Cardinia – Endeavour Hills hosted a Chinese/English Bilingual Storytime followed by Chinese folk dancing
and Lantern making in September. Cranbourne launched a local Indigenous art exhibition titled Gathering of
the Tribes in October. The De Capo singers will be performing their diverse repertoire at Hampton Park in
November.
Moonee Valley – Currently planning for 2016. Hoping to have greater consistency and variety. Especially
looking to engage the Arabic speaking community.
RI
Choose Venue at
Flemington and notify all
Moreland – Introducing Conversation Cafe at Glenroy Library. Chinese book selection happening at Brunswick.
Chinese Book Chat also happening at Brunswick to engage the younger Chinese demographic.
Yarra Plenty – Thomastown will be hosting a Turkish evening in November. Mill Park will be hosting an Italian
Night in November. Whittlesea library will continue to host Japanese story time which is doing very well.
Greater Dandenong – Italian Coffee mornings well received with approximately 30 in attendance. Has lead to
an increase in the movement of the collection. Weekly Conversation Circles and Bi-lingual storytime
(Vietnamese) continue to be well attended.
Whitehorse Manningham – Chinese cooking demonstration. Chinese Chess program to be introduced to
engage Chinese Community (as an alternative to Gambling). Working on CALD Strategy. Outreach /Branch
Manager position currently being advertised at Doncaster.
Melton – Planning for Cultural Diversity week next March 2016.
Maribyrnong – Very successful moon lantern festival with all sessions booked out. Maribyrnong writers –
author talk which includes a session by Spanish Sports Journalist & author Nepo Gonzalez. Greek Glendi in
November – annual celebration of All Things Greek.
6. Other Business
Darebin – Almost completed the CALD framework which has taken one year to complete and will be published
on line once completed. Mid-Autumn festival had a Chinese Acrobat performer from Cultural Infusions.
Indigenous honour role being unveiled. Digital storytelling as an outreach programme being investigated.
Co-convenors to email dates for next year. Libraries to nominate potential venues starting from February 2016.
7. Library Tour.
Library Tour of new Reservoir Library.
Future Meeting Dates: 10 to 12pm
Wed. 16th December in Flemington – Christmas Lunch.
Wed. 17th February- Marirbynong Libraries – Liliana Chiriano
Wed. 22nd June – (TBC)
Wed. 17th August - (TBC)
Wed. 19th October – Altona North Library (Hobsons Bay) – Vitina Agosta
Wed. 14th December – Christmas Lunch meeting
MM NS