Indigenous Librarianship: Practices of Indigenous Agency and Abundance, Perspectives for IILF Hawaiʻi 2023
Event Type
Presentation
Start Date
25-7-2025 2:10 PM
End Date
25-7-2025 3:10 PM
Description
This presentation shares findings from the white paper Indigenous Librarianship: Practices of Indigenous Agency and Abundance, developed from research conducted at the International Indigenous Librarians’ Forum, Hawaiʻi 2023. The study engaged 80 Indigenous library professionals and their allies through structured surveys, a focus groups, town halls and targeted interviews, examining key issues such as library policy, community engagement, culturally responsive collection management, Indigenous language revitalization, and the role of libraries in advancing Indigenous well-being, sovereignty, and knowledge systems.
The presentation identifies systemic challenges and successful interventions, including actionable recommendations for policy development, professional growth, and Indigenous-led stewardship models. Designed for application across academic, public, and community-based libraries, these recommendations provide an evidence-based framework for strengthening Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in librarianship. Attendees will gain insights into practical strategies that support Indigenous agency and its meaningful engagement within information spaces.
Outcomes
- Identify Key Challenges and Opportunities in Indigenous Librarianship – Attendees will gain an understanding of systemic barriers faced by Indigenous library professionals, as well as successful interventions that support Indigenous agency, self-determination, and knowledge sovereignty in library spaces.
- Apply Actionable Strategies for Policy and Program Development – Participants will learn evidence-based recommendations for integrating Indigenous-led decision-making, community-driven programming, and culturally grounded collection management into library policies and professional practices.
- Enhance Professional and Institutional Support for Indigenous Librarianship – Attendees will explore approaches to mentorship, professional development, and institutional transformation that strengthen Indigenous leadership and governance within academic, public, and community libraries.
Indigenous Librarianship: Practices of Indigenous Agency and Abundance, Perspectives for IILF Hawaiʻi 2023
This presentation shares findings from the white paper Indigenous Librarianship: Practices of Indigenous Agency and Abundance, developed from research conducted at the International Indigenous Librarians’ Forum, Hawaiʻi 2023. The study engaged 80 Indigenous library professionals and their allies through structured surveys, a focus groups, town halls and targeted interviews, examining key issues such as library policy, community engagement, culturally responsive collection management, Indigenous language revitalization, and the role of libraries in advancing Indigenous well-being, sovereignty, and knowledge systems.
The presentation identifies systemic challenges and successful interventions, including actionable recommendations for policy development, professional growth, and Indigenous-led stewardship models. Designed for application across academic, public, and community-based libraries, these recommendations provide an evidence-based framework for strengthening Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in librarianship. Attendees will gain insights into practical strategies that support Indigenous agency and its meaningful engagement within information spaces.
Outcomes
- Identify Key Challenges and Opportunities in Indigenous Librarianship – Attendees will gain an understanding of systemic barriers faced by Indigenous library professionals, as well as successful interventions that support Indigenous agency, self-determination, and knowledge sovereignty in library spaces.
- Apply Actionable Strategies for Policy and Program Development – Participants will learn evidence-based recommendations for integrating Indigenous-led decision-making, community-driven programming, and culturally grounded collection management into library policies and professional practices.
- Enhance Professional and Institutional Support for Indigenous Librarianship – Attendees will explore approaches to mentorship, professional development, and institutional transformation that strengthen Indigenous leadership and governance within academic, public, and community libraries.
