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Q&A

Library systems' approaches to indigenous programming and public awareness

1:06:38

·

159 sec

Council Member Rivera inquires about the processes used by different library systems for selecting indigenous pieces for exhibitions and ensuring public awareness of programming related to indigenous artists and talent.

Sharon Myrie from Queens Public Library emphasizes the importance of relationships with authentic voices and the use of the Queens Memory Project
The libraries focus on system-wide initiatives to promote programming across all branches
Marketing strategies are discussed, including newsletters and coordinated efforts to raise awareness of indigenous-focused events and exhibitions

Carlina Rivera

1:06:38

Well, I know there are certainly cultural institutions and groups that are here that are also gonna testify as to the work that they're doing, and we have our partners in the libraries.

1:06:49

Clearly, there's there's, Joe Bigger here in the the Lenape Center.

1:06:53

But what is the the process for for your systems, for the library systems in selecting indigenous pieces for your exhibitions?

1:07:04

And anyone can chime in.

Sharon Myrie

1:07:09

I can't speak to that in particular point.

1:07:12

I I I do want to reemphasize that what's been important to us at Queen's Public Library is the relationships that we've had with, several of those examples that I gave, and connecting it to Queen's memory, which has been a a an incredible tool for the Queen's Public Library to really get to those authentic voices and to record that and to to store that and to connect with the colleges, universities, in particular, CUNY.

1:07:40

And so that's been our, particular focus, in really working through the Queen's Memory Project.

Carlina Rivera

1:07:47

And I know you all have also honored native American figures who've made significant cultural, contributions in a variety of fields.

1:07:55

I know the Queen's Public Library has done that.

1:07:58

Do you continue that tradition and how do you ensure and this is for all of the systems.

1:08:02

How do you ensure that the public is aware of of the programming, particularly around, you know, indigenous artists and and talent?

Sharon Myrie

1:08:13

Similar to many of the other programs that we've done, we, you know, really focused through our marketing division and and and working that through that.

1:08:21

I would say over the last several years we've really been much more focused on, trying to collectively, focus on areas and making sure that we can provide that across the system.

1:08:34

So we actually call that system wide initiatives that we've done, around particular events.

1:08:40

And certainly, this is one that we want to really focus on, going forward.

1:08:46

And, that's a good way because we do it in a very intensive way across the system so that all 65 of our libraries are aware of and and the and the customers in in 65 libraries are aware of that.

1:09:01

So we, you know, we have upcoming things right now in terms of our, time for kind and we have black history month.

1:09:08

And and I think the emphasis of really pushing this across the system as opposed to individual branches really helps with the marketing and promotion of our programming.

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