Embracing cultural identity in public libraries
In 2021 the State Library partnered with Charles Sturt University and Wagga Wagga City Library on a project to understand the impact of embracing the cultural identity of a burgeoning ethnic group in a regional public library. This was a pilot project with the Punjabi Indian Community in the Riverina. The research involved a community survey with feedback used to develop library collections and programs, and an evaluation of these changes. The recommendations for Wagga Wagga City Library may be useful for other libraries to consider in the development of collections and the delivery of programs and services for culturally and linguistically diverse groups in the community.
The project report Embracing the cultural identity of burgeoning ethnic groups in regional public libraries: A pilot project with the Punjabi Indian Community in the Riverina outlines the research project and findings.