Overcoming barriers to te reo Māori usage in libraries: Providing access to Māori knowledge

Abstract

Over the last 40 years, New Zealand libraries and information management institutions have been undergoing cultural change in an attempt to improve the services and resources made available to Māori clients. Previous studies have demonstrated that Māori have not been regular users of these institutions, so a critical part of the transformation process has focused on the promotion of the benefits that library and information institutions can provide. This has led to institutions reviewing how they can incorporate distinctively Māori elements within their existing structures. A critical part of this innovation has been the introduction of te reo Māori into areas such as signage, intellectual access, website and online catalogue designs and client services. This article reports on research that has focused on how Māori language into services, and the challenges and opportunities that its usage has for Māori clients and the libraries and information management institutions in New Zealand.