The impact of intercultural literacy programs in libraries
“It’s been the best thing we’ve experienced, and we wish it could be every week!! So important to share culture and language this way.”
This enthusiastic feedback from a participant perfectly captures the spirit of Yarra Libraries’ innovative pilot program, Storytime Around the World. Launched in 2024, this initiative aimed to celebrate the diversity of our community and foster inclusivity through storytelling and early literacy skills development.
Program Overview
Storytime Around the World was created in response to the rich cultural diversity of the City of Yarra, where nearly 30% of residents were born overseas. The program replaced a regular pre-school storytime session at our Collingwood Library for one school term, allowing our regular audience to continue attending while also attracting new participants eager to learn about different cultures.
Interculturalism as a Driver for Social Cohesion
The core objective of the program was to build stronger community ties through an intercultural approach. By introducing children and their families to First Nations cultures and languages commonly spoken in the community such as Dinka, Somali, Vietnamese, and Arabic, the program provided a platform for families with pre-school-aged children to learn about and appreciate the diverse cultures within their community through immersive experiences.
“When children are exposed to different cultures, they learn to appreciate diversity and develop a more inclusive mindset.”
While multiculturalism is great for recognizing and preserving distinct cultural identities, it can sometimes lead to cultural groups living side by side without much interaction. This can result in misunderstandings or even tensions between groups. Interculturalism seeks to bridge these gaps by encouraging direct engagement and dialogue, helping to build trust, reduce prejudices, and enhance social cohesion.
Research indicates that children exposed to diverse cultures and languages from a young age are less likely to develop racial biases. This exposure helps them understand and appreciate differences, fostering empathy and reducing prejudice. Programs that immerse children in interactive activities and new experiences, such as hearing stories in other languages and participating in cultural celebrations, are particularly effective. These activities allow children to engage directly with different cultures, making the learning experience more impactful than simply observing or being aware of them.
Babies notice physical differences, including skin colour, from as early as six months. Studies have shown that by age five, children can show signs of racial bias, such as treating people from one racial group more favourably than others. Ignoring or avoiding the topic isn’t protecting children; it’s leaving them exposed to bias that exists wherever we live. Children who encounter racism can feel lost while trying to understand why they are being treated a certain way, which can impact their long-term development and well-being.
Exposure to diversity not only reduces racism but also enhances children’s social and cognitive skills. It promotes critical thinking, cultural awareness, and a sense of belonging.
Program Execution
Each session was co-facilitated by the Collingwood Library Children’s and Youth Librarian, Yvette Holdsworth, and a special guest. These guests included other library staff members from different cultural backgrounds, dedicated bilingual liaison officers, or external partners from local community organizations.
Session Activities
Each session featured a mix of PECs (Picture Exchange Communication), crafts, warm-up songs, and either oral storytelling or reading books written in the featured language or translated by the presenter. Participants also engaged in activities or discussions about special objects shared by the guest presenter. Some weeks included traditional Hindi dancing, Maori singing, or hands-on experiences with cultural artifacts from the Horn of Africa.
Community Impact and Feedback
Storytime Around the World successfully created a space where community members could connect, share their knowledge, and celebrate their heritage. The program not only enhanced early literacy skills but also promoted social cohesion by encouraging families to engage with one another across cultural lines.
Positive interactions with peers from different racial and ethnic backgrounds can significantly reduce prejudice. Encouraging children to participate in diverse group activities helps them build friendships and understand different perspectives. Programs like this not only reduce racism but also enhance children’s social and cognitive skills, promoting critical thinking, cultural awareness, and a sense of belonging.
Participant Feedback
Participants were surveyed at the end of the term to gather feedback and measure impact. We used the Culture Counts evaluation platform to capture standardized impact scores and statements for all library programming.
“My five-year-old daughter loved how you switched out languages in the books. I loved making crafts based on the featured country/culture.”
92% of surveyed participants felt the program helped them feel a part of the community.
“The Hindi week and the dancing was a huge highlight. [My daughter] remembers the whole dance a month later! The South Sudan week was another incredible week; we felt so lucky that [the presenter] let us hold her wedding beads!”
100% of surveyed participants said they would attend a program like this again.
The success of this pilot program has set the stage for future iterations, with plans to repeat Storytime Around the World across our other library branches and feature a rotating selection of community languages and cultures. We believe this ongoing commitment to interculturalism will continue to strengthen the social fabric of the City of Yarra, making it a more inclusive and connected community.
Lastly, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the efforts of Lizzie Gilmour, Team Leader Children’s and Youth Services who helped bring this initiative to life. I am also grateful to friends at the Ballarat Library and the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Corporation who provided some inspiration and guidance.
