Getting Started
It’s essential to gather the following information before you get started:
- Determine regional dialect.
- Review existing external language programs and services.
- Identify local language experts.
- Re-evaluate how your library can participate in language initiative.
Re-evaluating your library’s contribution is integral as you do not want to duplicate existing services and initiatives, offer temporary programs, purchase irrelevant resource materials.
Re-evaluating your library’s contribution may also lead to positive changes such as establishing meaningful partnerships, finding special funding opportunities, welcoming new patrons, creating a new planning committees, and obtaining media coverage.
Programming
After determining that your library is suited to offer Indigenous language revitalization programming, review the following factors to ensure your library is prepared to deliver quality programming.
- Community Needs
- Will people be travelling from great distances to participate in the program?
- Is this the best time of the year to run a language program?
- Teaching Method
- Will most participants be attending workshops at the library?
- Will the information be available online?
- Does this program require multiple partnerships?
- Time
- Will the program be weekly, monthly, or online?
- Are library staff prepared support the program?
- Library Resources
- Is there sufficient physical space to host workshops?
- Is the internet enough quality to run online language programs and resources?
- Are there enough computers for program participants?
- Budget
- Is the budget sufficient enough to hire language teachers (if required) and proper resources?
Public Outreach
Reaching out to the public to confirm program participation and promote library resources can occur in a few ways:
- Posters/Newsletters
- Social Media
- Word of Mouth
Tip: Creating clear and simple advertisements are most effective. The most important information is program name, dates and time, location, and contact person.
