• University project results in 136 new Punjabi language books at Wagga Wagga City Library

A Charles Sturt University research project is broadening the diverse offering of books at Wagga Wagga City Library with the addition of a Punjabi language books collection.

Charles Sturt Lecturer in Social Work Dr Sabine Wardle and Associate Professor Karen Bell with the School of Social Work and Arts and Senior Lecturer in Information Studies Dr Kasey Garrison with the School of Information and Communication Studies launched their project on Saturday 4 December.

The project, titled ‘Embracing the cultural identity of burgeoning ethnic groups in regional public libraries: A pilot project with the Punjabi Indian Community in the Riverina’, was completed in consultation with the Punjabi community, Wagga Wagga City Library and the State Library of NSW, which also funded the research.

The culmination of the project is 136 new Punjabi language books, including bilingual books for children’s poetry, novels, and history of the Sikh religion, that will be available at Wagga Wagga City Library.

“This pilot project was an attempt to promote a culturally inclusive environment at public places, such as libraries, so that people from diverse cultures feel welcome and appreciate public libraries as places committed to preserving cultures,” Dr Wardle said.

“We hope to expand it to other emerging community groups in regional locations to promote cultural inclusiveness and to ensure new migrants feel at home in public places.”