Increasing the presence of indigenous writers and publishers on library shelves says to native children, “We as a people are important,” says Dr. Loriene Roy, the first Native American president of the American Library Association, on a recent visit to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom

New library president to stack shelves with diversity

By Liza Simon / Ka Wai Ola Staff

The nation's public libraries will be buzzing with multicultural and multilingual resources, under a plan that is being initiated by the first-ever Native American president of the American Library Association (ALA). During her visit earlier this year to Hawai'i, Dr. Loriene Roy discussed why she is supporting programs to get more indigenous writers and publishers on public library shelves. “It's especially important for children to see a reflection of their culture inside books. This says to them, 'We as a people are important,' ” said Roy, who is an Anishinabe (Ojibwe) and a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

As part of her new ALA plan, Roy has created Gathering of Readers, an international and virtual celebration of indigenous children's culture and literature. She selected the Nānākuli charter school – Ka Waihona o ka Na'auao, to represent Hawai'i in the web-linked activities of the new program. “Dr. Roy is encouraging educators to promote reading as an activity that is fun, and we are thrilled to be part of this approach because we know it will help our children become lifelong readers,” said school librarian Analu Josephides.

As a participant in Gathering of Readers, the Nānākuli Hawaiian charter school will contribute to an online collection of indigenous games and books about cultural practices to appeal to youngsters everywhere. On April 13, National Library Day, Gathering of Readers will sponsor a web-linked showcase aimed at highlighting media resources that positively portray native peoples. The Nānākuli school will contribute information on books written in English and 'ōlelo Hawai'i.

During her Hawai'i visit, Roy also met with Alu Like Inc. representatives, who are seeking national accreditation for the state's only Native Hawaiian library. The library collection started in 1985 as a community bookmobile service and has expanded to include a network of literacy programs based at Alu Like's Honolulu headquarters. Support for the growth of the Alu Like library has come from many organizations, including the Hawaiian civic clubs and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Like her predecessors at ALA, Roy encourages parents to read to their children. She said this activity is well-regarded in Native American culture for creating a special bond between generations. “We have a saying that the first person whose story makes a baby laugh owns the heart of the community,” said Roy.