Developing Indigenous Knowledge Centres.

The article discusses some of the State library of Queensland's initiatives in relation to the development of library resources and services for Queensland's indigenous peoples. The indigenous knowledge centres represent, in a very real example, the two-way learning process between the State Library and Indigenous communities throughout Queensland. Recognising that indigenous peoples in Australia maintain a strong oral tradition, and working with the most remote communities in Queensland's Cape York and Torres Strait regions, the State Library has over the last two years established nine indigenous knowledge centres at different places. Two major challenges in ongoing sustainability of the indigenous knowledge centres are retention of trained staff, and access to and support for quality technology and communications. The State Library has also developed the Librarians in Communities pilot program which involves professional librarians working with local staff in the established indigenous knowledge centres.