Providing education programs on a shoestring: Some ideas arising from the JPCML's adventure into outreach in our first two years of public programsBy Rosslyn Marshall, Education Officer & Lesley Wallace, Collection Librarian, John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library National Local Studies Conference Post Haste the Millennium: Opportunities and Challenges in Local Studies, Guildford 12-13 November 1999. |
|
The collection is for research use and includes personal papers, oral histories, photographs, newsreel film footage, copies of official records and other archival material.
In the JCPML's first two years of operation, a vital and extensive Outreach Program has been established to support the vision, mission and goals of the Library. The JCPML is staffed by three permanent positions - a full time archivist and archives technician and a part time Public Programs Coordinator. In addition, an Education Officer currently works 2 days a week to support the Education Program.
Why bother with outreach?
Organisations "reach out" for a variety of reasons, sometimes ill defined. In the absence of a strategic plan or well-defined goals, the purpose and desired outcomes of outreach programs can be unclear. Defining clear objectives allows time and resources to be used effectively.
The Outreach Program of the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library arises naturally from a consideration of the Library's Strategic Plan including statements of its vision, mission and goals.
Vision:
to honour the contribution to Australia of its wartime Prime Minister and international statesman, John Curtin
Mission:
As Australia's first prime ministerial library, the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library advances scholarship, enhances cultural awareness, and provides a gateway for the community to learn about its past.
- Actively build a unique collection of archival materials and memorabilia.
- Provide innovative services and facilities for researchers, including electronic access to original archives.
- Provide an enjoyable and educational experience through exhibitions and activities of wide appeal.
Broadly, the Outreach Program provides services and activities to achieve community education and awareness in relation to John Curtin and the JCPML
Objectives:
to increase cultural awareness of John Curtin and the JCPML and to build community links and add value to the community activities of Curtin University.
Identifying target groups and appropriate available resources
With goals and objectives in mind, an organisation can decide on the target client groups it wishes to reach.
The JCPML reaches out to a broad community. The Outreach Program targets Curtin University staff, students, alumni and supporters, school teachers and students (individuals and groups), community interest groups (particularly those in Western Australia), individuals with an interest in our collection focus of John Curtin and the war years, and members of the public in general.
When deciding what to offer in the way of outreach for a target group, careful examination of available resources is needed, whether the resources are people (potential speakers, tour guides, sponsors), material from the organisation's collection, space for displays and exhibitions, venues for events, or access to funding sources.
For the JCPML, available resources include the JCPML collection itself, current exhibitions, staff time and expertise, support and input from donors, supporters, sponsors and the University and community, access to venues, and budget support.
The JCPML Outreach Program: Sharing the story of our first two years
The JCPML Outreach Program targets its broad ranging client groups via a varied program including: public events; networking; publications, web-site and Electronic Research Archive (ERA); exhibitions and seniors' tours; and an education program for schools.
Public Events
In July each year, on the anniversary of Curtin's death, the JCPML sponsors a public lecture in his honour. This year's presenter was Hazel Hawke, who took as her theme In search of the Light on the Hill. Mrs Hawke spoke eloquently about how 'the light on the hill' has become a symbolic phrase representing hope, idealism and equity which continue to inspire the labour movement. She outlined her vision for the future and what that phrase should mean to Australia as the new millenium approaches.
Apart from the anniversary lectures, visiting scholars present lectures and the JCPML conducts a variety of events including exhibition openings and book launches. The John Curtin Building is the venue for events such as the presentation of the John Curtin Medal (awarded annually by Curtin University) and the 1999 National History Challenge (a competition for school students organised by the History Teachers' Association of Australia).
Transcripts of all lectures and speeches are available on the JCPML web site, potentially reaching a world-wide audience.
Many organisations now have a web presence. Whether promoting your organisation or a particular speaker or event, this can be an inexpensive and effective way to extend the audience. Even without a web site or web access, providing recordings or print versions of lectures can be a valuable way of reaching out to a broader target group.
Organisations such as Australian Museums on Line (AMOL) and sites such as the Australian Libraries Gateway allow museums, libraries and related organisations to have a web presence without the expense of setting up their own web sites.
Networking
Networking is an extremely effective means of spreading the message about what your organisation is doing. At the recent National History Conference, JCPML made a presentation to conference participants about the education program at JCPML, our Electronic Research Archive and our new publication John Curtin and International Relations during WW2. This raised our profile with locals but also made colleagues in the Eastern States aware of what we do at JCPML. Conference presentations are an inexpensive way to spread your message and excellent for networking.
The JCPML has also forged links with the History Teachers Association of WA (HTAWA). The Association promotes the JCPML through their bulletins to members and we are regularly invited to make presentations at seminars as well as being involved in other projects. As a result of this link, the JCPML was one of the venues for the Sir Charles Court Young Leaders Program and also played a key role in the management and programming committee for the 1999 program. The link with HTAWA also led to the JCPML being chosen as the venue for the state judging and presentations, and the national judging of the National History Challenge. Our education program is aimed at schools so HTAWA is the logical organisation for us to link with. Forging relationships with other related professional associations like the Political and Legal Educators Association of WA (PLEWA) is on our agenda for 2000. The organisation(s) you link with will reflect the group that you are targeting.
High schools have been the main target of the education program to date but we are currently working on a primary school package. If schools are your target audience, then the critical thing is to have a sound knowledge of what is going on in them. The JCPML Education Officer's training and experience is in secondary Society and Environment, providing a very good working knowledge of curriculum requirements and classroom needs. In developing the primary school program, consultation with a colleague who is primary trained but also very creative in her thinking has been advantageous. The next step is to involve a school in trialing the program. Past networking has been a real asset in this process. Feedback from the trial primary school will ensure that our package fits the curriculum, is suited to the target age group and will be used by schools.
Publications and Web site
The JCPML has published two books in the last 12 months: For Australia and Labor by Geoffrey Serle and John Curtin and International Relations during WW2. We are advantaged by our location at Curtin University of Technology and by the assistance provided by the JCPML Historical Consultant, Associate Professor David Black. Professor Black is very supportive of the JCPML, promoting our research facilities and our publications.
A lot of effort has been put into promoting our new publications. Mail-outs to target audiences is one of the main ways in which we promote both our publications and other services. Our latest publication is also being sold through HTAWA. Clearly, publications of this magnitude are not small budget processes but making your target group aware of your resources is something you can do relatively inexpensively, provided you have the personnel to do the work. If you have your own web site, or a presence on a larger site, this can help to make people aware of your latest resources or simply to tell them about your services.
In addition, the JCPML web pages provide easy access to online exhibitions and other resources regardless of physical location. For example, John Curtin: A Prime Minister and His People, a joint project with the National Archives of Australia, provides access to over 500 documents relating to Curtin in his time as Prime Minister. The JCPML web site also provides links to related institutions such as the MacArthur Memorial Library and the Roosevelt Library.
Through the net, you can promote your own resources, inform your clients about what's new in your area and help them make links with other related institutions
Electronic Research Archive (ERA)
The JCPML has developed the first Electronic Research Archive (ERA) in Australia, providing electronic access to images and text of most items in the Archive via the Library's home pages on the Internet. Although developed as a research tool, ERA is also an important element of our outreach program. Visiting schools learn about archives and their functions and have the opportunity to search ERA on site. Researchers and interested people world-wide can browse or search ERA off site.
Exhibitions and Seniors Tours
Exhibitions are a major element of JCPML's outreach program. Our permanent exhibition, John Curtin, A Man of Peace, A Time of War is a significant part of the schools' program and the show piece of our Seniors' tours.
Seniors are invited to attend a tour of the JCPML on Tuesdays and Thursdays during school terms. For groups of 10 or more, we start with the screening of a short archival film on John Curtin and then move on to a conducted tour of the exhibition, tracing Curtin's life from poor boy to prime minister. Seniors can also visit the Archive and access the Electronic Research Archive via computer or simply view the facilities available to researchers in the Challenge Bank Reading Room. Feedback from these tours has been very positive. Seniors' tours are an absolute delight - they are truly appreciative of all elements of the sessions. Just as an aside, as part of our public relations process, we take a group photograph and send a copy which is very well received.
Seniors, I believe, are a huge and barely tapped market. They are extremely receptive to both the new and the old and they have the time - what's more, there are hundreds of seniors organisations out there looking for new things to do. We are fortunate to have a lovely café right on our doorstep which provides a Devonshire Tea for groups at $5.00 a head. Sometimes seniors go on to tour the beautiful grounds at Curtin University. This is a powerful combination - 'film, fotos, food and flowers'. Seniors' tours are promoted on Radio 6NR (Curtin University Radio) and Fremantle (Community) Radio at no cost. You may be in a location that allows you to combine a number of activities that would suit seniors or other groups such as young mums for example. These activities are low budget and very effective.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the JCPML organises short term exhibitions, such as that currently showing from the MacArthur Memorial Library - Beginnings. Images of Occupied Japan. All exhibitions are opened with great fan-fare and this one was no exception. The American Consul General in Perth Ms Sally-Beth Bumbury opened the exhibition with an excellent speech about Australian -US relations. The exhibition is a collection of 21 photographs of Japan during the Occupation, my favourites being a shot of MacArthur and another of Emperor Hirohito walking through the streets of Tokyo in western dress.
Exhibitions, while time consuming to prepare, offer all sorts of opportunities for outreach and need not involve great expense. Combining the opening of an exhibition with an interesting, relevant speaker and including morning or afternoon tea seems to be a winner. If your finances don't run to free refreshments, a small fee to cover costs could be charged.
The Schools Program
The running of the schools' program takes up most of the Education Officer's time. The Programs are currently aimed at Years 9 to 12 Society and Environment students. However, by the year 2000, an upper primary program is also planned to be in place.
A typical school visit for a Year 12 history class involves a visit to the Archives where students learn how to use ERA for research purposes, a short screening of archival film footage showing Curtin during WW2, a role play activity and a tour of the exhibition John Curtin, A Man of Peace, A Time of War.
There are two role plays available for upper school students - Debating Conscription Parliament 43 and the Extraordinary Allied Summit Meeting. The first is set in late '42 -early'43. Curtin has called for conscription for overseas service to defend Australia. Students take the roles of Members of Parliament and debate the issues of conscription and equal rights for women in employment (a similar role play is available for Lower School students). The Allied Summit Meeting is set in 1942 about the time that Curtin and Churchill have argued over the return of the AIF from the Middle East. Churchill has called Curtin and MacArthur to a summit meeting to discuss the grave situation in the Pacific and Europe. Students adopt the roles of government leaders and their aides to make crucial decisions based on their own interpretation and judgement. A costume collection allows students to dress as the characters they are playing, adding to the atmosphere and enjoyment of these lively sessions. The role plays require between 2 and 3 hours preparation at the school level and about 40 minutes at the JCPML.
The exhibition is the next stop. The key to using the exhibition effectively with schools is to make all activities directly relevant to the curriculum. If what's been designed doesn't suit their needs, then we are flexible enough to create something new, given sufficient notice. In this sense, we offer a customised service.
Exhibitions are clearly an important area of outreach. When dealing with schools, the opportunities for creating relevant and useful displays and exhibitions is enormous. Regular contact with your local schools will help keep you in touch with what is relevant and useful.
What others do: A sampling of innovative, effective programs from around Australia
A brief sample of what is happening in outreach around Australia was obtained by searching the web sites of some of the larger organisations and from a perusal of the Australian Museums Online pages for smaller organisations. These examples are not meant to be comprehensive but simply to provide further ideas for discussion.
National Archives of Australia The National Archives of Australia is providing innovative support for teachers who use their CDROM product Convict Fleet to Dragon Boat. An activities database contains creative and practical classroom activities utilising the CDROM and appropriate for students at all levels. The database ties in closely with the national Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) curriculum, ensuring that it is relevant and well-used by educators.
The National Archives of Australia sends every secondary school in Australia a copy of the Teachers' kits they produce. These kits include resources to encourage the use of primary sources in the study of Australian history. The latest kit Voices for Democracy focuses on John Curtin and leadership; Vida Goldstein and the struggle for women's rights; Jessie Street - human rights and the national interest; and Paul Hasluck and education for democracy
The Australian War Memorial offers a variety of Outreach activities including the opportunity to take part in weekly Wreath Laying Ceremonies. These are held as part of the Department of Veterans' Affairs Commemorative Activities Program "Their Service, Our Heritage". A Veteran and local Federal Member are invited to attend the Ceremony.
Another successful initiative of the outreach education service at the AWM is the Memorial Box Project. The boxes are available to schools and relate to various parts of the curriculum. Many themes are covered, including Women in the defence services since 1945 - The changing role of women in the defence forces and Too Dark for the Light Horse - The contribution of Aboriginal service personnel in a number of conflicts. Information booklets, artefacts that students can handle, videos, photographs and Teachers' Notes are amongst the items included in the boxes. This allows the AWM to reach out beyond its buildings in Canberra.
As part of its outreach activities, the State Library of Victoria organises a series of talks at informal occasions entitled "Coffee and Cake with...". Participants can meet and listen to interesting Australians who are prominent in their fields eg a recent occasion featured Coffee and Cake with Mietta O'Donnell (author of Eating and Drinking in Melbourne 2000) who discussed the future of Melbourne dining.
The State Library of Victoria also targets secondary school final year Victorian Certificate of Education students with a comprehensive program of VCE English Texts Lectures. The Lectures provide insights into prescribed texts and assist students prepare for their final examinations.
Many outreach programs target children and activities offered by the National Library of Australia to complement the Terre Napoleon exhibition are worthy of mention. Holiday workshops suited to different age groups encouraged young participants to become French explorers of the Pacific Ocean by seeking information in the exhibitions, rounding off by making a 'sea creature'.
Friends' activities are varied and interesting - eg a weekend tour to explore the cultural heritage of Crookwell.
The Aviation Museum runs a Museum Aviation Club for 8 to 18 year olds, hosting monthly meetings and involving members in various ways including tuition in a range of aviation subjects, aerodrome visits, and assisting with conservation of the collection.
Two displays which explain the Museum's function and services and which are able to travel have been created. One is suited to outdoor venues and the other to indoor areas.
Organisations without web sites in their own right can nonetheless reach out using umbrella sites such as Australian Museums Online. Avondale Discovery Farm presents some of its stunning exhibits in this fashion.
Windsor and Districts Historical SocietyAlso on the AMOL pages, the Windsor and Districts Historical Society promotes itself and its outreach program. The Society is responsible for the district Anzac Day Service each year and conducts a yearly history walk on the last Sunday in July.
Powerhouse MuseumThe Powerhouse Museum presents a variety of outreach activities including theme weeks with invited speakers, performers, demonstrations and interactive activities, as well as study days and seminars. eg 'Science is for girls' allowed girls to hear prominent women scientists talking about their experience, 'Storytime' provides a fun interactive storytelling session for kindergarten to year twos.
In conclusion
In its first two years of operation, the JCPML has established a vital and broad reaching Outreach Program to support the vision, mission and goals of the Library. Clear identification of target client groups and the resources available to reach out to them, has provided a firm basis for the Program. Activities as diverse as seniors' tours, public lectures, provision of online resources, educational publications and role playing games for school groups all play a part in fulfilling the Program's objectives of increasing cultural awareness of John Curtin and the JCPML, building community links and adding value to the community activities of Curtin University.
