Library and Information Science Commons^™

The Role Of Libraries In Native American Communities In Louisiana, Becky Hebert

LSU Master's Theses

Describes the study done to identify and describe Louisiana tribal libraries and public library services to Louisiana Native American communities. These four tribes had tribal libraries: Chitimacha, Coushatta, Tunica-Biloxi, and the United Houma Nation. Tribal library evaluation areas included collections, users, technology, funding, cultural integration, and staff demographics. The following tribes were interviewed about public library service in their parishes: Caddo Adais, Choctaw-Apache Community of Ebarb, Clifton Choctaw, Four-Winds Cherokee, Jena Band of Choctaws, and the Talimali Band of Apalache of Louisiana. Most communication between tribes and parish libraries was poor. In general, the tribal library staff did not know …