This study explored public library provision to the Tamil Community in Singapore using a focus group methodology. Results of the study were analysed and implications for the library services for the Tamil community in Singapore outlined. Improvement is needed in collections, facilities, programming and services, particularly in the area of provision to young people. Among other suggestions, the participants proposed an Internet portal in Tamil. Many indicated that the library could help in promoting the usage of Tamil language in Singapore through facilitating the reading and use of the Tamil language. Participants perceived this as vital to preserve the Tamil culture in Singapore and ensure its survival as part of the country’s unique cultural heritage in the future. The Tamil language among the other Indian languages has been given official status in Singapore, and this recognition of Tamil as a national language has given the Tamils intrinsic satisfaction. The language provides them with a living link to their ethnic culture. They believe the library can help them regain their cultural identities and also assist them in repositioning themselves well in Singaporean society. The contribution of this study to the professional literature is the idea of cultural identity being central in public library services to special user groups.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/197109 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Ilanogovan, Malarvele, Higgins, Susan E. |
| Contributors | Nanyang Technological University Singapore School of Communication and Information, University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science |
| Publisher | LIBRES: Library and Information Science Electronic Journal |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Article |
| Relation | http://libres.curtin.edu.au/ |
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