Course:LIBR562/S2012/Group3/Library Services

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Most libraries in the Polynesian region are affiliated with schools. Of Samoa's 136 primary schools 7 have libraries, and 12 of the 25 secondary schools have libraries.[1] Samoa also has two public libraries—the Nelson Memorial Public Library and the Savai'i Public Library. The University of the South Pacific maintains a library in each of the 12 member nations, which include the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.[2] Tokelau has no national or public library service, but each main island has a primary school equipped with a library for use by students.[3] The Cook Islands National Library currently has over 13,000 titles, however, due to space constraints they hope to phase out fiction and the children’s collection to focus on building their reference and Pacific collection.[4] Niue has one primary school and one secondary school, and both schools have libraries. In 2011, the Niue Public Library was closed and the collection relocated to the Niue High School.[5]

Public and national libraries in the region often have limited Internet access for staff, while some larger public libraries may offer computers and internet access for a fee.[6] Academic, larger government, and non-government organization (NGO) libraries are often more sophisticated, and provide greater services including an automated library management system, high speed Internet connections and access to full-text databases.[7] For example, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) library in Apia, Samoa. It is a special library that provides environmental information services to staff, projects and programmes, as well as member countries.[8] The library houses over 15,000 monographs, grey materials, over 38,000 records of 20 Pacific Island Nations (PINs) and territories, which are accessible through their virtual library.[9] Additionally, the library is subscribed to two e-journal collections: OARE and AGORA.[10]

Oral Tradition and Indigenous Knowledge

Polynesian culture is deeply rooted in oral tradition; information about their culture and traditions have long been passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation.[11] In the 1800s, Protestant missionaries brought the written word to Polynesia.[12] In order to convert the local population, they created written forms of the native languages using the Roman alphabet.[13] The first printed materials—translations of the Bible—, and the first libraries in the South Pacific were established by the missionaries.[14] Despite more than a 200-year history and high literacy rates, libraries have made little progress in the region. The introduction of literacy is often cited as a replacement for, rather than an addition to local traditions of orality.[15] It has been suggested that electronic archives and databases can make it possible to re-contextualize indigenous knowledge—a term used to describe un-codified knowledge which existed prior to the arrival of western thought—and culture.[16] In doing so, bringing together oral traditions and literacy to foster development in and beyond the library.

In 2010, the Government of Tokelau laid out a five-year National Strategic Plan in which they emphasized the importance of preserving their language and oral traditions.[17] The NSP states that in addition to decline of indigenous knowledge, Tokelauan “creative skills in speech making, songs and dances will also diminish unless there are active programmes to keep these alive through community activities and school curricula.”[18] Libraries, archives, and information professionals can play an important part in preserving and promoting cultural traditions. However, it is important that the documentation of indigenous knowledge takes into consideration how the knowledge is produced, this will help to prevent the de-contextualization mentioned above. An example of this is the Taoga Niue project mission states that “A National Library is a focal point for supporting the vital role of Taoga Niue as custodians of the nation’s intellectual heritage. It will provide organisations with access to and preservation of the national imprint in all media.”[19] While Tokelau’s NSP does not set out a National Library strategy like the Taoga Niue project, a national library or archive may play a major role in preserving language and oral traditions if given the financial, technical and personnel resources necessary.

Issues and Initiatives

Judy Taligalu McFall, McCaffery, Pasifika Liaison Librarian at the University of Auckland, New Zealand suggests that there are four issues related to literacy facing PINs. These include: strong oral traditions, as mentioned above, lack of local publishing offices and firms, insufficient reading materials for all literacy levels—especially in the vernacular—, and inadequate funding.[20] These four issues translate directly to library services in the region.

McCall-McCaffery suggests that it is in the national interest of PINs to provide for the information needs of the community to ensure they are properly equipped with the intellectual and cultural knowledge to make “wise and effective decisions.”[21] Below is an examination of three of these issues, as well as current initiatives to address them.

Lack of Local Publishers

A report on the publishing industry in the South Pacific region in 1986, indicated that government documents and church documents, such as daily readings and teachings, accounted for much of locally published material.[22] A lack of local publishers is an issue for libraries because the costs of importing book are significantly higher due to shipping costs. It also means that few books are available in the local language. While the local publishing industry is still limited, publications have become a major activity of the University of the South Pacific’s Institute of Education.[23] Their mission is:

to support Pacific peoples and their communities in providing quality, relevant, sound and effective advice, research, training and publications to meet their educational needs, challenges and aspirations.[24]

In addition to publishing an academic journal, and teacher resource materials, the IOE publishes the Waka Story Book Series in Pacific languages.

New Zealand publisher, Learning Media, and the New Zealand Ministry of Education established the Tupu—meaning "grow" in all Pacific languages—series to enrich the teaching of Pasifika languages and cultures.[25] The books are published in five Pacific languages: Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan, Niuean, and Cook Islands Maori. They publish a range of genres include stories, non-fiction, poems and plays.[26] However, due to costs many libraries in Polynesia do not have resources to purchase the books.[27]

Insufficient Reading Materials

In 1996, Rainey noted that much of the book stock at Tongan school libraries were unsuitable donations from overseas donors. The donors demonstrated little effort in improving the quality of books donated through evaluation and consulting.[28] However in recent years, there has been local publishing initiatives as well as book donations with greater focus on providing quality reading materials.

An Ocean of Books

Jeff Evans, a New Zealand photographer, established an Ocean of Books in 2010 after visiting Niue High School and seeing the lack of resources.[29] An Ocean of Books send books to Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, and the Cook Islands. Ocean of Books sent over 27,000 books to school libraries in their first 12 months. As of May 2012, after nearly two years in operation, they have sent over 60,000 books to school libraries.[30]They work closely with the Education Departments of each PIN they send books to ensure that the libraries with the greatest need are prioritised. Additionally, Ocean of Books sets out criteria for book donations. According to their website, the books should be:

  • For school aged children (5 – 17 year olds).
  • Clean and tidy (no missing pages or badly ripped covers please).
  • In English or a Pacific Island language.[31]

The organization currently does not keep comprehensive records of how many books in Pacific languages are sent, but Evans estimates it at around 1,500. Most of the books they have sent in Pacific languages are from the Tupu Series.[32]

The Waka Story Book Series

The Waka Story Book Series is a range of books for children illustrated and written by Pacific writers.[33] Some books are written in English, while others are written in Pacific languages including Samoan, Niuean, and Tuvaluan.[34] Prices for individual books are low, ranging from $1FJD (CAD55¢) to $10FJD ($5.50CAD).[35] The story books help to boost literacy and language development in the region.

Children Writing for Children Program

Another initiative from the Institute of Education is the Children writing for Children Program in Tonga. The pilot project saw 11 books written in both English and Tongan, and illustrated by 11 Mo’unga ‘olive College students from Kolonga, Tongatapu.[36] The IOE published the stories as part of an initiative to encourage young children to write stories for their peers.[37]

Inadequate Funding

Many Pacific Island economies rely heavily on foreign aid from the New Zealand Aid Programme, AusAID, UNESCO, among other government and non-governmental organizations.

New Zealand Aid Programme 2011-12[38]
Country programmes $NZ M
Cook Islands 19
Niue 14
Samoa 17
Tokelau 17
Tonga 20
Tuvalu 5
AusAID 2011-12[39]
Country programmes $AUD M
Cook Islands 2.2
Niue 2.7
Samoa 26
Tonga 19
Tuvalu 7.4

Aid is often provided for specific sectors and activities such as waste sanitation, renewable energy, sustainable economic development, health services and core infrastructure. Library development is not a high priority, and lack of funding for libraries can be seen across Polynesia.[40]

Kaungamno, suggests that the economic conditions of a country are directly related to the state of its libraries.[41] A developed economy has greater potential to provide sufficient financial, technical and personnel resources required to sustain library services. Until basic development issues such as core infrastructure, sustainable economic development, and education are addressed, it is unlikely that sufficient funds will be invested in library development.

References

  1. ↑ Library Association of Samoa. (n.d). History of Libraries in Samoa. Retrieved from http://www.las.org.ws/AboutUs/LibraryHistory/tabid/4390/language/en-NZ/Default.aspx May 18, 2012.
  2. ↑ University of the South Pacific. (2009). USP Library: Campus and Centre Libraries. Retrieved from http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=lib_campus May 22, 2012.
  3. ↑ Personal communication, June 4, 2012.
  4. ↑ Ministry of Cultural Development. (2012, March 28). Welcome to the Cook Islands National Library - Turou, Aere Mai ki Te Runanga Puka o te Kuki Airani. Retrieved from http://www.mocd.gov.ck/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82:nl&catid=23:library&Itemid=87 May 22, 2012.
  5. ↑ Department of Niue Cultural Heritage. (n.d.). National Library of Niue. Retrieved from http://www.taoganiue.nu/index.php/heritage/national-library-of-niue May 22, 2012.
  6. ↑ Bidwell, P. (2011). E-learning and breaking barriers: teaching online cataloguing by distance. Asia-Pacific Conference Library & Information Education & Practice, pp 260-268.
  7. ↑ Ibid.
  8. ↑ Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme. (2012). Library Home. Retrieved from http://www.sprep.org/library-information-resource-center/library June 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ Ibid.
  10. ↑ Ibid.
  11. ↑ McFall-McCaffery, J. T. (2000). The struggle for libraries: with special reference to Tonga and the Pacific region. Fiji Library Association Journal, 43 & 44, 1-8.
  12. ↑ Smith & Long. (2000). Literacy, writing systems, and development. Studies in the Linguistic Sciences, 30 (1), pp 169-181.
  13. ↑ Ibid.
  14. ↑ Hammond-Thrasher, C. (2007, October 25). A brief history of library technology in the South Pacific [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://dfiji.blogspot.com/2007/10/brief-historyof-library-technology-in.html Jun 8, 2012.
  15. ↑ Smith & Long. (2000).
  16. ↑ Lindh, K. & Haider, J. (2010). Development and the documentation of indigenous knowledge: Good intentions in bad company? Libri, 60, pp. 1-14. DOI 10.1515/libr.2010.001
  17. ↑ Government of Tokelau. (2010). Tokelau National Strategic Plan. Retrieved from http://www.tokelau.org.nz/Strategic+Plan.html June 2, 2012.
  18. ↑ Ibid.
  19. ↑ Department of Niue Cultural Heritage. (n.d.). National Library of Niue. Retrieved from http://www.taoganiue.nu/index.php/heritage/national-library-of-niue May 22, 2012.
  20. ↑ McFall-McCaffery, J. T. (2000). The struggle for libraries: with special reference to Tonga and the Pacific region. Fiji Library Association Journal, 43 & 44, 1-8.
  21. ↑ Ibid.
  22. ↑ McFall-McCaffery, J. T. (2000). The struggle for libraries: with special reference to Tonga and the Pacific region. Fiji Library Association Journal, 43 & 44, 1-8.
  23. ↑ Institute of Education. (2012). Institute of Education. Retrieved from http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=ioe_home June 2, 2012.
  24. ↑ Ibid.
  25. ↑ Learning Media. (2010). Case Studies - Tupu. Retrieved from http://www.learningmedia.co.nz/our-work/case-studies/tupu June 2, 2012.
  26. ↑ Ibid.
  27. ↑ J. Evans, personal communication, June 12, 2012.
  28. ↑ McFall-McCaffery, J. T. (2000). The struggle for libraries: with special reference to Tonga and the Pacific region. Fiji Library Association Journal, 43 & 44, 1-8.
  29. ↑ An Ocean of Books. (2011). Annual Review 2011. Retrieved from http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/uploads/83156/files/199964/annual_report_An_Ocean_of_Books.pdf June 6, 2012.
  30. ↑ J. Evans, personal communication, June 12, 2012.
  31. ↑ An Ocean of Books. (2011). Annual Review 2011. Retrieved from http://www.anoceanofbooks.org/uploads/83156/files/199964/annual_report_An_Ocean_of_Books.pdf June 6, 2012.
  32. ↑ J. Evans, personal communication, June 12, 2012.
  33. ↑ Institue of Education. (2011). Waka Story Book Series. Retrieved from http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=ioe_wakabooks June 2, 2012.
  34. ↑ Ibid.
  35. ↑ Ibid.
  36. ↑ Institute of Education. (2012). Stop Press. Retrieved from http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=ioe_press June 2, 2012.
  37. ↑ Institute of Education. (2012). Stop Press. Retrieved from http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=ioe_press June 2, 2012.
  38. ↑ New Zealand Aid Programme. (n.d.). Aid allocations 2011/2012. Retrieved from http://www.aid.govt.nz/about-aid-programme/aid-statistics/aid-allocations-20112012 June 10, 2012.
  39. ↑ AusAID. (n.d.). Pacific. Retrieved from http://www.ausaid.gov.au/countries/pacific/Pages/home.aspx June 10, 2012.
  40. ↑ McFall-McCaffery, J. T. (2000). The struggle for libraries: with special reference to Tonga and the Pacific region. Fiji Library Association Journal, 43 & 44, 1-8.
  41. ↑ McFall-McCaffery, J. T. (2000). The struggle for libraries: with special reference to Tonga and the Pacific region. Fiji Library Association Journal, 43 & 44, 1-8.
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