Module 2:2 – Culturally Responsive Guidelines for Alaska Public Libraries

http://akla.org/publications/culturally-responsive-guidelines-for-alaska-public-libraries/

These guidelines published on a one-page website are recommendations for improving public libraries services and collections to make them more relevant and responsive to indigenous Alaskans. It groups the recommendations into four categories: library environment, services and programs, collections, and library staff.

 

Many recommendations talk about moving the library beyond its walls by engaging with community events, external facilities, and representatives of the community, and even by collecting library materials that fall outside the realm of mainstream publishing. It is a useful summary that reminds us of things that should seem obvious (collect materials in the languages spoken by your community) and inspires us to achieve more in depth and meaningful connections with the different cultures we serve.

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