1

Introduction to MyLanguageDecember 2013

2

CONTENTS1. What is MyLanguage? 3

2. Connecting to MyLanguage 3

3. MyLanguage website 4

4. What can your library do to support MyLanguage? 16

5. What’s next for MyLanguage? 16

© State of Queensland (State Library of Queensland) 2013

This manual is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free to copy, communicate and adapt this work, so long as you attribute the State Library of Queensland.

For more information see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au

3

1. What is MyLanguage?

MyLanguage is a partnership between the State and Territory libraries of the ACT, NSW, Public Library Services SA, QLD, VIC and WA. We use digital technology to enable access to language, information and culture for Australia’s multicultural communities.

MyLanguage aims to respond to and support public libraries in their engagement and collaboration with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to grow community content. In doing so, MyLanguage supports the social inclusion agenda of governments through building digital inclusion for CALD communities, especially with new technologies.

MyLanguage vision

We will use information technologies to enable libraries to empower CALD communities to:

• Achieve greater social inclusion; and

• Maintain and enrich cultural and linguistic identity.

MyLanguage objectives

We will:

• Build collaborative partnerships across all sectors to develop multilingual resources.

• Further develop MyLanguage, implementing innovative solutions.

• Enhance access to diverse information resources in community languages.

• Understand and respond to the information needs of CALD communities.

• Value the role played by public libraries by supporting their delivery of multicultural services.

• Advocate for (the value of) digital and social inclusion for CALD communities and

• Promote MyLanguage.

2. Connecting to MyLanguage

Connect to MyLanguage through Public Libraries Connect website http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/home

4

Go to the toolbar and click on Resources – Multicultural – MyLanguage - Click on the MyLanguage heading to take you to MyLanguage website.

OR click on the MyLanguage logo on the Home page.

3. MyLanguage website

The MyLanguage website provides information in over 67 languages but also highlights to CALD communities the range of services that public libraries can provide to them.

In addition, the website is a hub where CALD communities, community organisations and pubic libraries, can share information, resources and projects to promote social and digital inclusion, language and cultural maintenance.

3.1 Navigation Toolbar

Home page - Links directly to over 67 language portals.

Resources and ideas - Links to case studies of projects from libraries; online tools and resources and news and ideas.

Translated information - Provides links to translated information about HEALTH, LEGAL, EDUCATION, SETTLEMENT and LIBRARIES.

Languages in libraries - Find which libraries around Australia have language collections.

What’s On - Share information about events happening in your community.

Conferences - Information from past MyLanguage conferences.

5

This manual will look at each component of the website, and suggest examples to guide you through.

3.2 Homepage

Features on the Home page

Link to sites in community language

This feature enables you to access original language websites. This links you directly to over 67 language portals.

This is a great resource for libraries to show members of their community where English is their second language as it provides links to information that may not be available in the print collection.

6

Social Media

Links are provided to MyLanguage on Twitter, Face book and RSS feeds.

Is your library following MyLanguage on Facebook or Twitter?

Translate MyLanguage website

The navigation toolbar - at the bottom of the page links to: About MyLanguage/ Contact us/ Feedback/ Copyright / Disclaimer / Translate this site

If you link on Translate this site you will be able to select a language in Google Translate and this will translate the whole website.

Click on Translate this site and see what languages are available through Google Translate.

7

3.3 Resources and ideas

Looking for inspiration on great programs for multicultural communities? Need to find practical tools and resources to plan, deliver and promote your services?

Explore the Resources and ideas section to find case studies, tools, news and ideas.

Wilbur – All libraries throughout Australia received a copy of Wilbur, the multilingual DVD for culturally & linguistically diverse families. This links you to the online Video readings of the Wilbur picture book available in fourteen languages.

Add your own case study

8

Libraries and community organisations across Australia are working with their multicultural communities to promote literacy, digital inclusion, cultural maintenance, and community participation. Find out what others are doing, make connections – and submit your own program as a case study!

You can add your own case study just click on the link and it will bring up a template for you to add information about a library or community project or program OR you can search for a case study. Search Logan 171 Club and read the case study from Logan Libraries or Sunshine Coast Adult Literacy Program and read the case study from Sunshine Coast Libraries.

Do you have a project or program you can add as a case study?

Links to online tools and resources

MyLanguage has selected a wide range of useful links to help you plan, deliver and promote services for multicultural communities.

Plan Links you to community, library industry, funding, policy and guidelines and support services information. You will find many Queensland support services listed under the different categories.

Choose a category and see what Queensland services are listed.

9

Deliver Links you to information about library collections, program ideas and resources, technology and training resources.

Have a look at the training resources available in other languages.

PromoteLinks you to Ethnic Media contacts and provides resources for you to promote MyLanguage in the library and wider community.

Promotional resources PDF MyLanguage poster – print off poster to place on information board in the

library, print off extras and give to relevant community groups and organizations - link back to the library for more information.

MyLanguage logo

African postcard image

MyLanguage widget for embedding in websites

Go to promotional resources and find out how you can display this banner on your library website.

3.4 News and ideas

10

This page links you to current news stories and also links you to MyLanguage Daily.

3.5 Translated information

This provides easy access to government and community information in a variety of languages.

Find translated information about health, legal, education, settlement and libraries.

11

Health - Covers many topics including asthma, diseases, drugs, cancer, and medicines

Legal - Legal topics include discrimination, debt, family law, accidents and compensation.

Education- Aspects of formal and informal education including adult education and specific topics such as learning English, reading and literacy.

12

Settlement - Links to a range of translated topics including housing, employment, families and refugee support programs.

Libraries - Provides common library phrases to help communication between library staff and patrons from diverse linguistic backgrounds

Pick a topic and see what Queensland resources are listed, this will be information you can pass on to members of your community.

MyLanguage will continue to add to this page, if there are organisations or groups in your local area that have information they would like to add please email editors@mylanguage.gov.au

13

3.6 Languages in libraries

Under Languages in Libraries you will be able to find our which libraries around Australia have language collections of interest to you.

You will also find a link to Trove - Trove is an online search engine developed by the National Library of Australia. Trove provides a single place to discover a wealth of information held in Australian libraries and other collections.

How to search for Languages other than English (LOTE) collections

The Library locator is on the Languages in Libraries page.

You can either selected a language or select a library to find out which libraries hold collections

14

Collection sizes vary greatly so you may wish to contact the library first before visiting or requesting material.  In NSW, NT, QLD and WA, public libraries can request material in different languages for their users from their State Library.

Libraries can add or update their LOTE collection, they are invited to contact MyLanguage at editors@mylanguage.gov.au  to update or add information about their collections.

State Library of Queensland’s LOTE collection is listed, can you find another Queensland public library?

3.7 What’s OnFind out what events are taking place around Australia

15

What’s on page Upcoming events happening around Australia

Search for an event

Add you own event

Is an event happening in your library or community that you can share? Click on Share your event and fill in the template provided.

3.8 Conferences

The MyLanguage Conferences focus on better ways of serving the information needs of CALD communities, and promoting diversity and the benefits of strong multi-language communities.

On this page you will find links to the 2012 conference – MyLanguage: Connecting, Collaborating, Creating (hosted by State Library of Queensland) and 2010 conference – MyLanguage Your Language in the Digital Age (hosted by State Library of NSW).

Click on the link to the 2012 conference and have a look at some of the presentations that were part of the conference.

16

4. What can your library do to support MyLanguage?

Throughout this manual we have shown many ways your library can contribute and promote MyLanguage for example:

Add your library and community programs and events

Share your ideas by adding a case study

Follow MyLanguage on Twitter and Facebook

Visit MyLanguage website on a regular basis for updates and the latest news

Promote MyLanguage to your local community – Print MyLanguage posters and ask relevant community groups and organisations if they can place the poster on their information boards and refer people to the library for more information

MyLanguage banners are available to loan through State Library of Queensland

Share any comments or suggestions you may have regarding the website – editors@mylanguage.gov.au

Read Public Libraries Connect newsletter and go to Public Libraries Connect webpage for updates and information about MyLanguage

5. What’s next for MyLanguage?

So what is next for MyLanguage?

MyLanguage is committed to supporting public libraries to provide access to language information for new and emerging communities.

We will do this by:

Providing technical assistance to enable languages to work effectively online

Providing tools for you and your community to create their own online resources

Improving access to hard to find translated information that is available online