Paddling the Canoe Together: Three Pacific Island Librarians Share Ways to Serve Indigenous Communities

Over the last decade, librarians and publishers have prioritized diverse literature and programming; with concrete examples including the PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship, We Need Diverse Books, and the Lee and Low Diversity Baseline Survey. However, Indigenous Pacific Islanders are seldom centred in these efforts, despite being underrecognized in these professions. The 2017 ALA Demographic Study identified 0.2% of ALA members as “Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander”; likewise, in 2021, Penguin Random House reported that less than 1% of its content was created by Pacific Island writers and illustrators. If library workers cannot source Pacific Island literature, they risk signaling that libraries are not places that welcome Pacific Islanders. This is exacerbated when displays, events programming, and reading lists for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month routinely exclude Pacific Island representation - a painful erasure in what should be a time of celebration and pride.

It is clear that library workers have an opportunity to be active and informed allies for the Oceanic communities they serve, and the Pacific Island library workers within our profession. Join three Pacific Island librarians for a frank discussion of how to create relevant and authentic library experiences that reflect the needs of our contemporary Pasifika communities. We will showcase a range of Indigenous publishers, networks, and events; and highlight community-created resources such as the new Pacific Islanders in Publishing Database. Attendees will leave with a more nuanced understanding of authentic literature, as well as tips on how to support emerging presses and creatives through your library.

While the presenters have a shared heritage, they have very different backgrounds, and differing careers in public and academic librarianship. To close the session, they will reflect on their perspectives, including challenges faced in the profession, and their hopes for the future.