Since 1972, the great heritage places of the World have been identified and offered some level of... more Since 1972, the great heritage places of the World have been identified and offered some level of protection under the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. For some cultures, whose heritage is not site based but activity based, this convention had obvious shortcomings. It became evident that a device to protect the intangible heritage, for example the language, dances, craftwork and rituals, was needed. The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO in 2003 in response. Australia is yet to join the 161 countries who have ratified this convention 1 but it is believed that we are close to making this commitment. What will this mean for Australia's museums, both large state run museums and the smaller community managed museums? Will this convention be a boon for museums leading to a boost in resources and funding, or are we going to be left disappointed? This paper aims to explore these issues in more depth by examining the convention and its implications. In particular, I will look at the listing requirements of the convention, the pros and cons of this system and the role museums can play in this. Further to this, I will examine the question of what changes, if any, we are likely to see in the way museums are resourced and funded. Finally, I will look at the ethical issues for museums and examine if in fact there will need to be a fundamental change in the way museums operate in order for them to play a pivotal role in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. In 1972 UNESCO released the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. At the time, inclusion of intangible cultural heritage was considered, but this was later dropped. 2 In the years since then, it has become increasingly obvious that there is an inextricable link between the intangible cultural heritage and many of these very tangible sites. The guidelines supporting this convention have changed over the years to reflect this link. In 1992, cultural landscapes that had both cultural and natural value were recognised 3 and in 1998 and 2000, the need to show that a natural site had a link to a cultural tradition was specified as a criteria for inclusion. 4 Countries, particularly those from the Southern Hemisphere lobbied for this recognition based on the geographical imbalance that was becoming evident on the World Heritage list. They asserted that their cultures were " expressed more in their living form than in their monuments and sites " 5. Several other measures were taken to recognise intangible heritage; the Recommendation on the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore 1989, The Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage, The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity 2001. These measures demonstrate a growing recognition of " intangible cultural heritage as a mainspring of cultural diversity and a guarantee of sustainable development ". 6 It provides groups with a " sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. " 7
The relationship between museums and communities is an ever evolving one. From the 18th century w... more The relationship between museums and communities is an ever evolving one. From the 18th century when museums demonstrated a rulers' superiority over his people, through to museums as a means of controlling the behavior of the populous, to the focus on community engagement that we see today. In this paper I will look at the more recent developments in the relationship between national and state museums and communities. How did we come to have this focus in Australia? By examining the history of the relationship between Indigenous Australians, museums and the Australian Government we can see that the Indigenous community was largely the instigator of this movement in Australia and indeed an influence on what was happening internationally. How does this community engagement play out today, and why is it important? These are the questions that I have discussed in the second part of this paper. Collaboration between communities and Museums is a trend that we have seen only relatively recently, but the benefits of this for both parties are obvious. I examine some of these benefits by looking at the development of the exhibition, Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route. Museums have an important role to play in Australia today, in the healing of past injustices and the development of a new national identity. The way that we do this, is continually changing, but I believe that museums are playing a valuable role and making a real difference in people's lives.
After World War II some industrialised countries, including Australia, experienced rapid populati... more After World War II some industrialised countries, including Australia, experienced rapid population growth fuelled by immigration, increased optimism and prosperity (Johnson, 2014; Kahlert, 2000b). The children born during this time, from 1946 to 1965, became known as the ‘baby boomers’ and the large size of this particular cohort has made it necessary to consider the implications for our organisations as they move through different stages of life. According to Kahlert (2000b, p. 25), ‘Australia is experiencing one of the greatest demographic movements and cultural shifts in history’ due to the baby boomer generation. The baby boomers are now reaching the age of retirement and this makes it important for libraries to consider the impact that this large group may have on their services, and the ways that they may need to change to meet the needs of this group. Several studies have looked at the characteristics of this group, and considered how libraries might be impacted by this group. From these studies many recommendations have been made as to how libraries might meet the challenge. However, these studies are a few years old now so it would be useful to research how libraries are coping with the influx of retirees that has already begun, to explore if the measures they have put in to place for this particular group have been successful. This literature review aims to examine the available research to identify overall trends, conflicts and and gaps in this area of research.
Homeschooling is an educational option that is being undertaken by a growing number of families i... more Homeschooling is an educational option that is being undertaken by a growing number of families in Australia today. This research aims to explore the question, are public library programs meeting the needs of Australian, primary school aged (5-12 years) homeschooling children? The research included an examination of the literature and a survey of homeschooling families. A list of needs of homeschooling families was generated from the results and this was compared to the aims of library programs and the needs of homeschooling families as indicated by the literature. Recommendations for future research directions were made based on these findings. The aims of library programs, as determined from the IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, the IFLA Guidelines for Children’s library services and the State Library of Queensland Young Peoples Service Standards, are that these programs should, • Support young people’s reading and literacy • Support lifelong learning • Stimulate imagination and creativity • Develop awareness of culture, arts and science • Strengthen information literacy and digital literacy, and, • Facilitate community involvement.
This research generated a further list of needs of homeschooling families as indicated by the survey responses. They are, • Lifelong learning skills • Opportunities to be creative • Learning opportunities in different areas • Opportunities to develop information literacy and library skills • Opportunities to learn technological skills • Opportunities to meet other children • Opportunities for parents and children to do things together • Access to resources • Opportunities to try something new • Opportunities to have fun, and • Opportunities to participate in areas of interest. It was noted that the needs of homeschooling families generally corresponded to the aims of library programs, but some extra needs were also noted. Several other findings of this research were considered particularly important. Firstly, that homeschoolers participate in library programs not as extra-curricular or leisure activities, but as an important part of their child’s learning program. Secondly, the desire for libraries to run programs for homeschoolers during traditional school hours, particularly programs that allow children to learn about a range of different topics and that cater for older children was expressed by a large proportion of the participants. It was also noted that several participants had found that library programs currently being offered did not cater for the special needs of their children with disabilities. Recommendations for the future included a research project exploring the needs of traditionally schooled families with regards to library programs, and a pilot project offering a library program for homeschooled children during school hours. Developing programs that cater for the needs of homeschooling families would be beneficial for the families as it would enhance the educational outcome for their children, and it would also be beneficial for libraries as homeschooling parents can be strong advocates for the library and these families could also be valuable library volunteers.
Since 1972, the great heritage places of the World have been identified and offered some level of... more Since 1972, the great heritage places of the World have been identified and offered some level of protection under the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. For some cultures, whose heritage is not site based but activity based, this convention had obvious shortcomings. It became evident that a device to protect the intangible heritage, for example the language, dances, craftwork and rituals, was needed. The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO in 2003 in response. Australia is yet to join the 161 countries who have ratified this convention 1 but it is believed that we are close to making this commitment. What will this mean for Australia's museums, both large state run museums and the smaller community managed museums? Will this convention be a boon for museums leading to a boost in resources and funding, or are we going to be left disappointed? This paper aims to explore these issues in more depth by examining the convention and its implications. In particular, I will look at the listing requirements of the convention, the pros and cons of this system and the role museums can play in this. Further to this, I will examine the question of what changes, if any, we are likely to see in the way museums are resourced and funded. Finally, I will look at the ethical issues for museums and examine if in fact there will need to be a fundamental change in the way museums operate in order for them to play a pivotal role in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. In 1972 UNESCO released the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. At the time, inclusion of intangible cultural heritage was considered, but this was later dropped. 2 In the years since then, it has become increasingly obvious that there is an inextricable link between the intangible cultural heritage and many of these very tangible sites. The guidelines supporting this convention have changed over the years to reflect this link. In 1992, cultural landscapes that had both cultural and natural value were recognised 3 and in 1998 and 2000, the need to show that a natural site had a link to a cultural tradition was specified as a criteria for inclusion. 4 Countries, particularly those from the Southern Hemisphere lobbied for this recognition based on the geographical imbalance that was becoming evident on the World Heritage list. They asserted that their cultures were " expressed more in their living form than in their monuments and sites " 5. Several other measures were taken to recognise intangible heritage; the Recommendation on the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore 1989, The Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage, The Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity 2001. These measures demonstrate a growing recognition of " intangible cultural heritage as a mainspring of cultural diversity and a guarantee of sustainable development ". 6 It provides groups with a " sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. " 7
The relationship between museums and communities is an ever evolving one. From the 18th century w... more The relationship between museums and communities is an ever evolving one. From the 18th century when museums demonstrated a rulers' superiority over his people, through to museums as a means of controlling the behavior of the populous, to the focus on community engagement that we see today. In this paper I will look at the more recent developments in the relationship between national and state museums and communities. How did we come to have this focus in Australia? By examining the history of the relationship between Indigenous Australians, museums and the Australian Government we can see that the Indigenous community was largely the instigator of this movement in Australia and indeed an influence on what was happening internationally. How does this community engagement play out today, and why is it important? These are the questions that I have discussed in the second part of this paper. Collaboration between communities and Museums is a trend that we have seen only relatively recently, but the benefits of this for both parties are obvious. I examine some of these benefits by looking at the development of the exhibition, Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route. Museums have an important role to play in Australia today, in the healing of past injustices and the development of a new national identity. The way that we do this, is continually changing, but I believe that museums are playing a valuable role and making a real difference in people's lives.
After World War II some industrialised countries, including Australia, experienced rapid populati... more After World War II some industrialised countries, including Australia, experienced rapid population growth fuelled by immigration, increased optimism and prosperity (Johnson, 2014; Kahlert, 2000b). The children born during this time, from 1946 to 1965, became known as the ‘baby boomers’ and the large size of this particular cohort has made it necessary to consider the implications for our organisations as they move through different stages of life. According to Kahlert (2000b, p. 25), ‘Australia is experiencing one of the greatest demographic movements and cultural shifts in history’ due to the baby boomer generation. The baby boomers are now reaching the age of retirement and this makes it important for libraries to consider the impact that this large group may have on their services, and the ways that they may need to change to meet the needs of this group. Several studies have looked at the characteristics of this group, and considered how libraries might be impacted by this group. From these studies many recommendations have been made as to how libraries might meet the challenge. However, these studies are a few years old now so it would be useful to research how libraries are coping with the influx of retirees that has already begun, to explore if the measures they have put in to place for this particular group have been successful. This literature review aims to examine the available research to identify overall trends, conflicts and and gaps in this area of research.
Homeschooling is an educational option that is being undertaken by a growing number of families i... more Homeschooling is an educational option that is being undertaken by a growing number of families in Australia today. This research aims to explore the question, are public library programs meeting the needs of Australian, primary school aged (5-12 years) homeschooling children? The research included an examination of the literature and a survey of homeschooling families. A list of needs of homeschooling families was generated from the results and this was compared to the aims of library programs and the needs of homeschooling families as indicated by the literature. Recommendations for future research directions were made based on these findings. The aims of library programs, as determined from the IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, the IFLA Guidelines for Children’s library services and the State Library of Queensland Young Peoples Service Standards, are that these programs should, • Support young people’s reading and literacy • Support lifelong learning • Stimulate imagination and creativity • Develop awareness of culture, arts and science • Strengthen information literacy and digital literacy, and, • Facilitate community involvement.
This research generated a further list of needs of homeschooling families as indicated by the survey responses. They are, • Lifelong learning skills • Opportunities to be creative • Learning opportunities in different areas • Opportunities to develop information literacy and library skills • Opportunities to learn technological skills • Opportunities to meet other children • Opportunities for parents and children to do things together • Access to resources • Opportunities to try something new • Opportunities to have fun, and • Opportunities to participate in areas of interest. It was noted that the needs of homeschooling families generally corresponded to the aims of library programs, but some extra needs were also noted. Several other findings of this research were considered particularly important. Firstly, that homeschoolers participate in library programs not as extra-curricular or leisure activities, but as an important part of their child’s learning program. Secondly, the desire for libraries to run programs for homeschoolers during traditional school hours, particularly programs that allow children to learn about a range of different topics and that cater for older children was expressed by a large proportion of the participants. It was also noted that several participants had found that library programs currently being offered did not cater for the special needs of their children with disabilities. Recommendations for the future included a research project exploring the needs of traditionally schooled families with regards to library programs, and a pilot project offering a library program for homeschooled children during school hours. Developing programs that cater for the needs of homeschooling families would be beneficial for the families as it would enhance the educational outcome for their children, and it would also be beneficial for libraries as homeschooling parents can be strong advocates for the library and these families could also be valuable library volunteers.
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The baby boomers are now reaching the age of retirement and this makes it important for libraries to consider the impact that this large group may have on their services, and the ways that they may need to change to meet the needs of this group. Several studies have looked at the characteristics of this group, and considered how libraries might be impacted by this group. From these studies many recommendations have been made as to how libraries might meet the challenge. However, these studies are a few years old now so it would be useful to research how libraries are coping with the influx of retirees that has already begun, to explore if the measures they have put in to place for this particular group have been successful. This literature review aims to examine the available research to identify overall trends, conflicts and and gaps in this area of research.
The aims of library programs, as determined from the IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, the IFLA Guidelines for Children’s library services and the State Library of Queensland Young Peoples Service Standards, are that these programs should,
• Support young people’s reading and literacy
• Support lifelong learning
• Stimulate imagination and creativity
• Develop awareness of culture, arts and science
• Strengthen information literacy and digital literacy, and,
• Facilitate community involvement.
This research generated a further list of needs of homeschooling families as indicated by the survey responses. They are,
• Lifelong learning skills
• Opportunities to be creative
• Learning opportunities in different areas
• Opportunities to develop information literacy and library skills
• Opportunities to learn technological skills
• Opportunities to meet other children
• Opportunities for parents and children to do things together
• Access to resources
• Opportunities to try something new
• Opportunities to have fun, and
• Opportunities to participate in areas of interest.
It was noted that the needs of homeschooling families generally corresponded to the aims of library programs, but some extra needs were also noted.
Several other findings of this research were considered particularly important. Firstly, that homeschoolers participate in library programs not as extra-curricular or leisure activities, but as an important part of their child’s learning program. Secondly, the desire for libraries to run programs for homeschoolers during traditional school hours, particularly programs that allow children to learn about a range of different topics and that cater for older children was expressed by a large proportion of the participants. It was also noted that several participants had found that library programs currently being offered did not cater for the special needs of their children with disabilities.
Recommendations for the future included a research project exploring the needs of traditionally schooled families with regards to library programs, and a pilot project offering a library program for homeschooled children during school hours. Developing programs that cater for the needs of homeschooling families would be beneficial for the families as it would enhance the educational outcome for their children, and it would also be beneficial for libraries as homeschooling parents can be strong advocates for the library and these families could also be valuable library volunteers.
The baby boomers are now reaching the age of retirement and this makes it important for libraries to consider the impact that this large group may have on their services, and the ways that they may need to change to meet the needs of this group. Several studies have looked at the characteristics of this group, and considered how libraries might be impacted by this group. From these studies many recommendations have been made as to how libraries might meet the challenge. However, these studies are a few years old now so it would be useful to research how libraries are coping with the influx of retirees that has already begun, to explore if the measures they have put in to place for this particular group have been successful. This literature review aims to examine the available research to identify overall trends, conflicts and and gaps in this area of research.
The aims of library programs, as determined from the IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, the IFLA Guidelines for Children’s library services and the State Library of Queensland Young Peoples Service Standards, are that these programs should,
• Support young people’s reading and literacy
• Support lifelong learning
• Stimulate imagination and creativity
• Develop awareness of culture, arts and science
• Strengthen information literacy and digital literacy, and,
• Facilitate community involvement.
This research generated a further list of needs of homeschooling families as indicated by the survey responses. They are,
• Lifelong learning skills
• Opportunities to be creative
• Learning opportunities in different areas
• Opportunities to develop information literacy and library skills
• Opportunities to learn technological skills
• Opportunities to meet other children
• Opportunities for parents and children to do things together
• Access to resources
• Opportunities to try something new
• Opportunities to have fun, and
• Opportunities to participate in areas of interest.
It was noted that the needs of homeschooling families generally corresponded to the aims of library programs, but some extra needs were also noted.
Several other findings of this research were considered particularly important. Firstly, that homeschoolers participate in library programs not as extra-curricular or leisure activities, but as an important part of their child’s learning program. Secondly, the desire for libraries to run programs for homeschoolers during traditional school hours, particularly programs that allow children to learn about a range of different topics and that cater for older children was expressed by a large proportion of the participants. It was also noted that several participants had found that library programs currently being offered did not cater for the special needs of their children with disabilities.
Recommendations for the future included a research project exploring the needs of traditionally schooled families with regards to library programs, and a pilot project offering a library program for homeschooled children during school hours. Developing programs that cater for the needs of homeschooling families would be beneficial for the families as it would enhance the educational outcome for their children, and it would also be beneficial for libraries as homeschooling parents can be strong advocates for the library and these families could also be valuable library volunteers.