Tribal Libraries, Archives, and Museums Preserving Our Language, Memory, and Lifeways

There are hundreds of tribal libraries, archives and other information centers that offer the services you would expect from any library: circulation of materials, collection of singular items such as oral histories, and provision of public services such as summer reading programs. What is unique in these settings is the commitment to tribal protocols and expressions of tribal lifeways, from their footprints on the land to their architecture and interior design, institutional names, signage, and special services such as Native language promotion. This book offers a collection of articles devoted to tribal libraries and archives and provides an opportunity to share their stories, challenges, achievements, and aspirations to the larger professional community. Section one introduces the tribal community library, providing context and case studies for libraries in California, Alaska, Oklahoma, Hawai'i, and internationally. Chapters also describe the role of tribal libraries and archives in Native language recovery and revitalization. Section two features service functions of tribal information centers through chapters that address common library services'¬ ;the library facility, selection, organization, instruction, and programming/outreach'¬ ;with Native clientele in mind. Section three includes a discussion of the types of records that tribes might collect, legal issues, key issues, and snapshot descriptions of noteworthy archival collections. The final section covers strategic planning, advice on working in the unique environments of tribal communities, advocacy and marketing, initiating continuing education plans for library staff, and time management tips that would be of use for anyone working in a small library setting.