Shellharbour City Libraries has a launched an important collection of resources to improve access to information about Aboriginal culture.

The new collection draws together existing resources and expands the collection to provide a range of materials about materials about Aboriginal history, issues, art and culture.

Guided by the Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Shellharbour City Council hopes to grow the collection to include more local content about, and for, the Dharawal people, as well as the broader community.

As part of this process, the community is encouraged to make suggestions for specific resources or subjects.

The collection is based at City Library but can be searched online via the library catalogue.  Staff at all Council’s libraries can assist the community with finding materials.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said she was thrilled to launch the Library’s new collection as part of the celebration of Council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee’s (AAC) 20th birthday.

“The new Aboriginal Culture collection is another milestone to add to the list of AAC achievements over the years,” Cr Saliba said.

“It was wonderful to be joined by Jodi Edwards on behalf of the AAC, Damien Webb, Manager Indigenous Services at State Library NSW, and Aunty Lindy Lawler who gave a heart-warming Welcome to Country. It was also special to have so many of Council’s Aboriginal staff in attendance.

“The Aboriginal Culture collection is a resource that we want to grow and evolve so that it will remain responsive to community needs and continue to support learning and understanding of Aboriginal Culture across the Shellharbour community,” Cr Saliba said.

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008 or 4221 6038.