Other resources used in the program included 18 digital cameras made available for the program by SLQ, a badge-maker machine and badge materials loaned by Toowoomba Library. 7.0 Measuring success project objectives achieved – The activities of the pilot project objectives were: establishing partnerships and connections with local multicultural networks; attracting new members from CALD community to the library; promoting the library as a safe inclusive community place and space; and enhance staff capacity to create and deliver multicultural programs for CALD community. The three library branches involved in the pilot project were successful in facilitating positive library experiences for program participants and each achieved different program outcomes as outlined below. 7.1 Millmerran library The Millmerran library facilitated positive library experiences and developed emergent literacy skills through welcoming their CALD community and engaging them in the weekly sessions. The Millmerran program content had been developed for the Karen community, based on a meeting with a few Karen women and a representative from the local Uniting Church. While the women expressed interest in the program and the selection of language resources available, only one of the Karen women attended a session. The program was well-attended by Filipino women and children, who now actively participate in other library literacy programs including regular story time sessions, English conversation classes and one-on-one literacy tutoring. 7.2 Toowoomba library The Toowoomba pilot was very successful in creating new connections with their CALD community and with local multicultural settlement agency. The participants registered were newly-arrived from Afghanistan, with most families only being settled in Toowoomba for less than six weeks. TWG provided these families with an introduction to the library service and established connections with library staff. These connections have assisted participants on subsequent visits to the library, outside of the program to seek and/or locate information and resources. Toowoomba libraries are considering adapting the pilot based on feedback received to run subsequent programs to welcome other CALD communities. Discussions are underway to organise supervised, formal library tours as part of orientation and settlement programs run by multicultural settlement agencies.
Other resources used in the program included 18 digital cameras made available for the program by SLQ, a badge-maker machine and badge materials loaned by Toowoomba Library. 7.0 Measuring success – project objectives achieved The activities of the pilot project objectives were: establishing partnerships and connections with local multicultural networks; attracting new members from CALD community to the library; promoting the library as a safe inclusive community place and space; and enhance staff capacity to create and deliver multicultural programs for CALD community. The three library branches involved in the pilot project were successful in facilitating positive library experiences for program participants and each achieved different program outcomes as outlined below. 7.1 Millmerran library The Millmerran library facilitated positive library experiences and developed emergent literacy skills through welcoming their CALD community and engaging them in the weekly sessions. The Millmerran program content had been developed for the Karen community, based on a meeting with a few Karen women and a representative from the local Uniting Church. While the women expressed interest in the program and the selection of language resources available, only one of the Karen women attended a session. The program was well-attended by Filipino women and children, who now actively participate in other library literacy programs including regular story time sessions, English conversation classes and one-on-one literacy tutoring. 7.2 Toowoomba library The Toowoomba pilot was very successful in creating new connections with their CALD community and with local multicultural settlement agency. The participants registered were newly-arrived from Afghanistan, with most families only being settled in Toowoomba for less than six weeks. TWG provided these families with an introduction to the library service and established connections with library staff. These connections have assisted participants on subsequent visits to the library, outside of the program to seek and/or locate information and resources. Toowoomba libraries are considering adapting the pilot based on feedback received to run subsequent programs to welcome other CALD communities. Discussions are underway to organise supervised, formal library tours as part of orientation and settlement programs run by multicultural settlement agencies.