Mescalero Apache Tribe

The Mescalero Community Library, in partnership with the Mescalero Apache Tribe Language Program, will: 1) create culturally appropriate Apache language texts (based on traditional oral literature) and 2) provide community members with user-friendly electronic access to the texts in order to increase Apache language practice among community members. The project builds on prior IMLS support to develop a website and an assessment incorporating feedback from community members who expressed great need to provide the Reservation Community with enhanced access to Apache language educational materials. To make Apache language materials accessible on the Library's website, the project team will record in audio and/or video Apache language narratives; create translations of the narrative; transcribe, analyze, and annotate select narratives; and upload selected language texts in the Apache Literature Collection. Patron engagement with the uploaded texts will be monitored using web analytics to measure and characterize requests and transferred data.