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Expanding Horizons in North American Indian Literature Elizabeth Varela, Laura Gonzalez and Mary Jo Godziela Activities for our State Library grant project revolved around three areas designed to fulfill our goal of increasing awareness of and access to a variety of North American Indian literature: Collection Development Participating librarians assessed the current North American Indian collections and holdings at Chicago Public Library and specifically at Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches. Gaps were identified in the existing Chicago Public Library holdings in terms of specific authors and subject areas. Particular attention was paid to North American Indian fiction, poetry, theater, biographies, and critical works. In addition to assessing existing holdings, library patrons and area organizations serving the North American Indian population of metropolitan Chicago were contacted to identify specific areas of public interest and need. Once areas of need were identified, grant participants conducted extensive research of on-line and in-print sources for the selection and purchase of materials representative of the leading contemporary North American Indian writers. Both adult and juvenile materials were researched in the areas of fiction, poetry, theater, biographies and critical materials. Grant participants also consulted with Chicago Public Library Children's Librarian, Karen Harvey-Turner, who has a special interest in North American Indian literature, to identify important and quality children's literature to add to the collection. Much time was spent determining which of the selected titles were still in print. The above citations were discussed by grant participants to determine which titles to order for Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches. Subsequent meetings were held to determine primary authors to be included in the collection development process, secondary authors to be included as money was available, and to determine which of many titles to purchase given budget limitations and availability of in print titles. The number of copies of individual works/authors to be ordered per branch was also determined. It was also decided that 75% of collection development funds would be devoted to adult materials and 25% to juvenile materials. Given the parameters of the grant, availability of juvenile titles was limited and, therefore, the percentage of budget devoted to juvenile materials was reduced. This was also in line with branch circulation statistics which indicated higher adult circulation figures than juvenile. Hours were spent typing selected materials on Chicago Public Library SRAQ forms for submission to the Acquisitions Department for inputting and ordering. All funds budgeted for collection development were encumbered by the end of May 1999. Most of the materials were ordered through Ingram. Approximately $6,000 of the $30,000 allocated for collection development was spent at a local book store, Women and Children First, who were able to obtain materials not available to us through Ingram. Funds returned through discounts and cancellations were spent on a wonderful collection of Native American Indian videos. Materials ordered have been distributed to Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches. Materials have been processed, including the placement of specially ordered red "Native American" labels on the spines of all books ordered for the grant. All materials, with designated locations, can be accessed through the Chicago Public Library catalog by all Chicago Public Library branches and libraries throughout the state. Shelving, to specifically house the North American Indian collections at Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches, has been ordered and is awaiting arrival. The * Elizabeth Varela, Branch Head, Jefferson Park Branch Library (former head of the Bezazian Branch Library); Laura Gonzalez, Branch Head, Edgewater Branch Library; and Mary Jo Godziela, Branch Head, Uptown Branch Library; the Chicago Public Library, Illinois. 202 shelving will allow all three branches to showcase the grant collections and to use them as resource centers for North American Indian literature and biographies. Programming The second component to provide increased awareness of the access to North American Indian literature was to showcase the talent and diversity of North American Indian writers and performers through readings and programs at designated branch locations city-wide. Grant participants developed a list of potential North American Indian writers and performers, with both national and local reputations, to be contacted for possible programs and readings at the Chicago Public Library. Members researched addresses and contacts in anticipation of sending out letters requesting participation in programs and/or readings as part of the "Expanding Horizons in North American Indian Literature" grant. It was decided we would present at least three programs highlighting North American Indian writers with national reputations, allotting up to $4,500 per each performer. At least twelve programs highlighting North American Indian writers and performers with local reputations would be presented at $250 per performance. A number of local agencies serving the Native American population in Chicago were contacted and were extremely helpful in providing names, contacts and information which was very useful to us in scheduling programs. In addition, they assisted us with the distribution and posting of flyers advertising scheduled programs. By the end of May 1999, all funding allocated for programming had been encumbered. The following authors with national reputations provided readings at Chicago Public Library during the month of June 1999:
Sherman Alexie (Author/Poet and Screenwriter/Producer)
Denise Sweet (Author/Poet)
Linda Hogan (Author/Poet)
Diane Glancy (Author/Poet)
Kim Blaeser (Author/Poet)
E. Donald Two-Rivers (Author/Poet) The following authors and performers with local reputations performed at Chicago Public Library during the month of June 1999:
Larry Lockwood (Musician)
Nahui Ollin (Dance Troupe)
Karen Harvey-Turner (Children's Librarian)
Allen Turner (Storyteller)
Florence Dunham (Storyteller)
White Hawk Dancers and Drummers
Sue Strom (Children's Librarian) Audience sizes ranged from as few as five to well over 500. The reading and presentation by Sherman Alexie at Sulzer Regional Library attracted 160 people, standing room only, and second only in attendance to 203 local author Sara Paretsky. The Edgewater Branch Powwow attracted an audience of 150 for the powwow opening and approximately 500 throughout the daylong event. We felt all programs were well attended in spite of the abbreviated time in which to publicize and present the programs. Partnerships The third component for increasing awareness of North American Indian literature was the development of partnerships. After the initial awarding of the grant, grant participants met with community organizations serving the Chicagoland Native American population to make them aware of the grant, to get suggestions and feedback in terms of needs and interests of the community. Many of these organizations were instrumental in assisting with contacts and names for performers and in assisting with the distribution and dissemination of flyers and posters and other informational material. Beverly Moeser, Truman College, and Joyce, Columbia College, were particularly instrumental in helping us contact Sherman Alexie. Sherman was going to be in town that weekend for the commencement ceremonies at Columbia College on Sunday. With that information, we persuaded him to come to Chicago a day early for a reading and presentation at Sulzer Regional Library. The Guild Theater Complex provided contracts for Linda Hogan and Joy Harjo. The Newberry Library assisted with hotel reservations at a reduced price for Linda Hogan, a former Newberry Fellow. The American Indian Gift Store staff provided names and contacts for the Native American drummers. The Native American Foster Parents Association even arranged and organized two receptions for Sherman Alexie and Linda Hogan. As a result of this contact, Laura Gonzalez, Edgewater Branch, has been asked to serve on the Board of the Native American Foster Parents Association and has accepted. Two signed posters from Sherman Alexie and Linda Hogan now hang near the entrance of this Association. Following is a list of contacts established as a result of this grant:
Beverly Moeser
E. Donald
Faith Smith, Director
Sharon Skolnick,
Roxy Grignon, Executive Director
Natalia Wilson D'Arcy
Joyce
Jen Abrams
Lucille/Joseph Spencer We hope to be able to maintain contact with these organizations in the future. In return for the assistance from many of these organizations, we were able to assist some of them by providing names and addresses we procured in securing speakers and performers for the grant. Program Accomplishments in Relationship to the Goals and Objectives of the Project This grant addressed Goal #2 of the Illinois State Library's FY99 Library Services and Technology Act Grant Program: To insure that libraries have access to all sources and formats of information. In this case, all sources and formats of information applied to North American Indian literature. This goal was met through three objectives with related tasks: Objective 1: Increase awareness and access to North American Indian literature and authors through collecttion development, concentrating efforts on contemporary fiction, poetry and theater. • Using print and on-line sources, participating librarians researched both adult and juvenile North 204 American Indian literature and selected and purchased materials representative of the leading contemporary North American Indian writers. Biographical and critical materials about leading contemporary North American Indian authors, poets and playwrights were also selected and purchased. The above materials were entered into the Chicago Public Library catalog and distributed to the three participating branches, Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown. Access to the collections is available to all Chicago Public Library branches and other libraries through the catalog and Internet. • Grant participants plan to produce and distribute a selective bibliography listing a sampling of materials in the three collections. • All monies assigned to collection development, were totally encumbered by the end of May 1999. A list of materials, adult and juvenile, print and non print, selected and purchased for the grant is attached. Objective 2: Showcase the talent and diversity of North American Indian writers and performers through a program of branch readings and performances. • Grant participants researched and identified North American Indian writers and performers, with both national and local reputations, to give readings and programs at selected Chicago Public Library sites. In addition, a day long powwow was planned to highlight North American Indian cultural activities through storytelling, crafts, dance, music and food. • Programs varied from poetry readings and recitations from recent publications to a children's writing workshop. The Edgewater Branch Powwow featured traditional and contemporary Native American Dance and was accompanied by Native American drummers and singers. Storytelling was provided by professional Native American storytellers from the immediate community. Craft programs were provided by two Chicago Public Library Children's Librarians. Native American food was prepared and served by Anawim Center and Native American crafts were sold by local artists. Over 500 people attended the day-long powwow. • Program funds were totally encumbered by the end of May 1999. Objective 3: Establish a network of libraries in Chicago that have special collections of contemporary North American Indian writers, poets, and playwrights, as well as a special emphasis on biographical and critical materials. • Participating librarians thoroughly researched print and on-line resources and surveyed patrons and community organizations to develop a collection of materials representative of leading contemporary North American Indian fiction, poetry, theater, biographies and critical books. These materials enhanced existing North American Indian fiction and nonfiction collections at Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches. Interest in North American Indian literature was created at other Chicago Public Library locations as a direct result of this grant. The Adult Materials Selection Division was able to enlist Ingram to produce a Native American selection list for order of titles by Chicago Public Library branches and divisions. • Special shelving will house the three contemporary North American Indian collections at Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches which will serve as resource centers for North American Indian literature and biographies. These collections will be accessible and available to Chicago Public Library branches, suburban library systems and other libraries statewide through the Chicago Public Library catalog and Internet. Changes in Program Direction Some program deviations did occur. The grant period was scheduled to begin October 1, 1998 but written notification of awarding of the grant was not received until mid-November. As a result, the timetables for the accomplishment of some of our objectives had to be modified and changed to allow us time to accomplish these objectives. Specifically, programming deadlines were pushed back. Initially, contacts with selected writers and performers for library programs were scheduled for December 1998. Programs were to be scheduled throughout the months of February-May 1999. Actual contacts did not begin until February 1999 and programs were scheduled during the month of June 1999. Establishing contact with nationally known writers or their representatives and agreeing on a date and time for their performances proved to be a much longer process than anticipated and further delayed the successful completion of the programming component of this grant. However, we were able to schedule and suc- 205 cessfully complete all programs and encumber all programming funds by the established deadline. Collection development timetables were also pushed back due to the start date and due to some difficulty in the acquisition of selected titles from Ingram, who provided most of the titles ordered. We were eventually able to purchase some of these titles from a local bookstore, Women and Children First, but this did delay the process. We did receive the titles from the bookstore by June 1999 and all collection development funds were encumbered by the established deadline. Money allocated for print materials that we were unable to obtain was then put toward non-print materials. Approximately $10,000 was spent on Native American videos. So, although some of the timetables outlined in the original grant were adjusted, this did not affect the overall successful completion of the grant. Project Strengths and Weaknesses A number of project strengths existed which greatly aided in the successful completion of this grant. They included the following: Branch Locations/Sites and Existing Collections -All three Chicago Public Library branches participating in this grant are located in the center of Chicago's Indian communities and serve ethnically diverse populations with broad reading interests. In addition, community organizations serving Chicago's North American Indian population are predominantly housed in the service areas of these three branches. All three branches have Native American patrons and some had prior contact and relationships with some of the organizations and writers and performers who participated in this grant. A solid Native American community and patron base existed at these locations prior to the grant. These three branches also housed North American Indian collections, primarily nonfiction. Two of the branches were recipients of Native American nonfiction materials as the result of a grant awarded some years ago. The collection development objectives of this grant greatly enhanced these existing collections. Grant Participant Expertise - The three librarians involved in the grant have been Branch Heads at Chicago Public Library for many years and serve the North American Indian communities of Chicago. The three Branches served by the librarians are located in the Uptown and Edgewater communities which are home to Chicago's North American Indians. The three librarians have extensive experience in collection development, research, community outreach, and programming—all important aspects of this particular grant. Knowledge of and interest in Native American literature greatly assisted in collection development efforts and resulted in a comprehensive collection of North American Indian literature for this grant to be housed at the three participating branches. Chicago Public Library Cooperation and Participation - The assistance of the Grants Management Office and the Acquisitions and Cataloging Departments greatly assisted grant participants with fulfilling grant obligations and processing and distributing materials for the three branch collections. In addition, the various branch and regional libraries greatly assisted by providing space for programs, allowing us to offer readings and programs throughout the entire City of Chicago, not just in the North American Indian communities of Chicago. Special thanks must be extended to Sulzer Regional Library for scheduling programs on short notice and even extending library hours for an evening program. Community Organization Participation - Community organizations serving the North American Indian population, museums and other libraries were most cooperative in assisting us with this grant. Their dedication to serving the North American Indian population of Chicago was apparent in their willingness to share information to assist us with programming and in their willingness to assist us in the distribution of publicity for our programs. Many of the local performers were contacted through some of the area organizations and some valuable contacts and addresses for nationally known authors were received from these same organizations. Depth and Variety of Programming Offered - Grant participants were fortunate to obtain the services of many of the most prominent authors in the field of North American Indian literature, as noted previously. All performers were very generous in their time and in scheduling programs on very short notice. We were able to provide a wonderful variety of programming including readings from books and poems, discussions of North American Indian literature, and writing work-shops for children. Many of the authors stayed after their program for informal gatherings and book signings. 206 Project weaknesses included the following: Grant Time Limitations/Restrictions - The necessity for expending all funds and presentation of all programs by June 1999 made scheduling of programs very challenging. Our grant award notification was not received until November 1998 and with the June 1999 program deadline, we had very little time to make contacts, confirm an present programs. This resulted in all of our programming taking place during the month of June 1999. More time in which to present the programs would have resulted in larger audiences and more sustained interest. Publicity - Due to the program deadlines noted above, grant participants were not able to distribute and send out program flyers and publicity as intended. Fortunately, many community organizations assisted with flyer distribution and posting but we were unable to meet neighborhood and City newspaper deadlines for many of the programs. We feel this would have assisted greatly in attracting larger audiences to some of the programs, especially audiences from suburban areas. Collection Development Difficulties - Grant participants developed a large and extensive list of North American Indian literature for purchase. Most of the materials were provided by Ingram but Ingram was unable to provide close to $6,000 worth of titles on our list. Some difficulty resulted in finding another source to provide these materials and made expenditure of collection development funds within the allotted time challenging. In addition, frequent cancellations of titles and return of discount monies necessitated the frequent checking of orders and funds to ensure complete expenditure of money by the established deadline. Allotted non-print expenditures were increased to approximately $10,000 when it became clear some titles could not be ordered and obtained through regular channels. Videos on Native American authors and culture and history were bought so all funds could be expended by the established deadline. The videos are produced by Films for the Humanities and Sciences which produces copies in-house, thus enabling us to fill our multi-copy orders almost immediately. Honorarium Payment Procedures - Four author payments were returned or delayed for various reasons, some the result of careless errors by the Department issuing and distributing payment. Grant "Needs" Changes/Alterations Changes in grant needs, as expressed in the application were limited. Permission from funding sources was requested and granted to change the amounts allocated for honorariums to the authors with national reputations, increasing honorarium fees for the better known authors. Other authors did not request as much, so we were actually able to host more programs by nationally known authors than originally intended. As noted above, we also increased expenditure on non-print, video materials to adjust for titles we were unable to obtain from Ingram or Women and Children First. Originally we anticipated spending approximately $5,000 of the $30,410 allotted for library materials on videos. We ended up spending close to $10,000. Meeting the Goals of the Illinois State Library's Long Range Plan The goal of this grant was "To insure that libraries have access to all sources and formats of information," as stated in the Long Range Plan for the use of LSTA funds. The project met and fulfilled this goal in a number of ways: (1) By increasing awareness of and access to North American Indian literature and authors through collection development efforts, concentrating on contemporary fiction, poetry, theater, biographies and critical works. The grant participants researched and ordered a comprehensive selection of North American Indian literature, print and non-print, to be housed at three Chicago Public Library branches serving the Chicagoland community and, specifically, the North American Indian community of Chicago. This selection of materials was developed after reviewing current North American Indian collections and holdings at the Chicago Public Library and identifying gaps in the existing collections and surveying library patrons and community organizations to assist in identifying areas of interest and need. The above materials were processed and distributed to the Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches. All materials ordered and received have been entered into the Chicago Public Library catalog, making these materials available to Chicago, suburban and State of Illinois libraries through the catalog and Internet. In addition, these materials may be loaned to other Chicago Public Library locations and libraries outside 207 of the Chicago Public Library System through holds and Intel-library Loan. (2) By showcasing the talent and diversity of North American writers and performers through a series of branch readings and performances. Grant participants contacted and scheduled 13 authors/performers for a series of 11 programs presented throughout the City of Chicago at branch and Regional library locations. Programs included readings and poetry from noted authors and poets; writing workshops; storytelling; craft programs; Native American dancing and music; and Native American food. This series of programs included six authors/poets with national reputations who have published books; teach at noted universities and colleges; have written and produced successful movies, and won numerous awards. We felt very proud to be able to present such a talented lineup to the residents of the Chicagoland area. (3) By establishing a network of libraries in Chicago which have special collections of contemporary North American Indian writers, poets, and playwrights, as well as special emphasis on biographical and critical materials. Three contemporary North American Indian literature collections were established at the Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches of the Chicago Public Library which will serve as resource centers for North American Indian literature and biographies. These collections are available to other Chicago Public Library branches, suburban library systems and other libraries statewide through the Chicago Public Library catalog and Internet. The collection and anticipated bibliography have already created interest. A Glenview Public Library librarian, with an interest in Native American literature, attended the Edgewater Branch Powwow and spoke with grant participants. She requested we send her a copy of our bibliography and would like to meet with the grant librarians to discuss collection development for and organization of a Native American Indian collection at Glenview Public Library. We were also contacted by Rene de la Cruz, of the Autobahn School, who is in charge of the Native American education component for Chicago Public Schools. She was particularly interested in being kept informed of further activities and requested a copy of a bibliography of important Native American writings cited by Diane Glancy during her presentation at Uptown Branch. Sarah Miller, from Chicago State University, contacted us because she was unable to find a copy of A White Man's Word, a narrative by Debra Swallow. She wanted to read the narrative to her class and include it in her syllabus. She indicated Chicago Public Library was the only location where she was able to find a copy of the title. We faxed the short narrative to her for use in her classroom. We were also contacted by letter by Penelope Berlet, Curator of Education, the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston, Illinois. She expressed interest in working with us on a grant featuring Native American authors. (See attached.) (4) By developing and distributing to Chicago Public Library branches and suburban libraries a bibliography of selected North American literature and materials available at Bezazian, Edgewater and Uptown Branches as a result of this grant. In conclusion, grant participants feel we met all goals and objectives and carried out and completed a successful grant. Not only have we created three resource collections at Chicago Public Library with fairly comprehensive collections of North American Indian literature but we created an increased awareness and interest in North American Indian literature, appealing to Native American Indians and non-Native American residents throughout the Chicagoland area. The attached note to Edgewater Branch staff from Ms. B.J. Smith, who attended the Edgewater Branch Powwow, demonstrates public appreciation for the variety of programming and events available through the public library, partly as a result of grants such as this. 208 |
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