Engagement with the Indian Community in Logan

Logan City Council Libraries

Community Engagement with the Indian Community

Presented by Moksha Anand (Master of Social Work)

IntroductionThe purpose of the research was to develop a community engagement report for promoting Logan Libraries and Cultural Services’ venues, collections, programs and services amongst the Indian community. Moreover, to obtain demographical information of users, non-users and under user of Logan library among the Indian community.The study was done in two parts:• Analysis of the Indian community residing

in the City of Logan.• Survey conducted

Demographic Census (2011)• Underwood has the highest percentage

of community members with Indian ancestry in the city of Logan (4.4%).

• Meadowbrook has the second highest percentage (2.5%) of community members with Indian ancestry.

• Followed by Woodridge (2.4%).

• Languages spoken at home

• Hindi is the most common language spoken at home (1.6% in Meadowbrook and 1.4% in Underwood).

Underwood Meadowbrook Woodridge0.0%0.5%1.0%1.5%2.0%2.5%3.0%3.5%4.0%4.5%5.0%

4.4%

2.5% 2.4%

Logan City Suburbs

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Languages other than English (LOTE Collection)

LOTE Collections are held in the following Indian languages:• Hindi• Punjabi• Tamil• Gujarati• Urdu

• Note the good signage in the picture

Issues finding LOTE collections in libraries

• Different libraries in Logan were visited when conducting this research.

• In some libraries, LOTE collections were difficult to find for specific languages because not all libraries were using the eye-catching Languages Collections signage as per the previous slide.

Methodology

• A survey was conducted • I called different Indian organisations• Had face to face conversations by

visiting different locations such as a Sikh temple, a Hindu temple and Indian grocery stores

• Purpose - to understand and analyse how the Libraries and Cultural Services venues are being utilised by the Indian community.

• I asked:• What are the major services being

used?• How can the services can be promoted

to encourage more Indian users?

Survey Participants

A survey was performed with:• 115 participants from different

Logan City Council areas

• mixed age group from 16-55.

• People from different religions for example Gujarati, Tamil, Sikh, Bengali and Hindu.

Survey FindingsData analysis reveals that:• 55% of the participants were not using any of

these libraries and Cultural Services venues• 45% are using the services• The most commonly used services, programs

and collections are• 40% Justice of peace• 35% Wi Fi• 30% scanning• 30% books• 20% Yoga and meditation

• The least used are• Tech Savvy Seniors 5%• Horticulture 3%• Meeting Room 1%

Data analysis reveals that• 40% stated that there is a lack of

awareness • 20% reported that there is a lack

of availability of public transportation

• 10% raised concerned about lack of time

Survey Findings

Community suggested that to promote the programs, services and collections among the Indian community Logan should:• Advertise - 35%

• 15% suggested increasing the availability of public transport

• 10% recommended organising cultural programs around special Indian festivals

Survey Findings

Apart from identifying the barriers17% suggested that Logan Libraries and Cultural Services venues are doing a good job in providing services - for example books for loan, children’s workshops, technology workshops, etc.

Case Study

It was found that one lady has been using the libraries for many years for a variety of purposes for the whole family but she was still not aware of the LOTE collections.

Case Study• A woman in her twenties said

she used a meeting room for dance practices with her friends and family members to prepare for a function.

• However only 1% of those surveyed knew of or used meeting rooms.

• She only used Marsden Library as she was not aware that other Logan Libraries are open till late.

Case Study ObservationFrom these examples we can observe that there is still a lack of awareness of library services among the Indian community.

Outcomes and Learnings• After doing the survey it was

found that it is beneficial to have face to face contact with the Indian community.

• Advocacy proved to be one of the strongest means of reaching the community.

Opportunity

• What is community champions?

• Meet community Champions while doing the survey?

• Important of community champions?

SLQ Welcome toolkit was used

• The target was the Indian community

• The resources needed, was the library membership booklets and What’s on booklet.

• Engagement with Indian community was made at different places.

• Engagement was made with the participants, by having face to face conversations.

Evaluation and Reflection• Low awareness of Libraries

services, programs and collections.

• The challenge was that Indian people were not aware of the library services.

• The only barrier for me was Hindu temples were not open throughout the day. Forward planning was needed.

Recommendations 1• There is a need for targeted marketing

regarding libraries services, programs and collections for the Indian community:

• Using Indian radio channels (for example Radio 4EB).

• Flyers, posters displayed at temples and Indian grocery stores.

• Council Facebook used to promote specific library or art gallery events to the Indian community.

Recommendations 2• Opportunities to:

• Make the Indian community aware of the Virtual 24/7 library for easy access

• Organise Indian cultural programs at library venues can be a way to attract users and make them aware of the services available.

• Seek library or art gallery volunteers from a Indian background

• Provide visible labelling and signage of library material (books and DVDs) at all times.

Thank You !!!