I’ve been traveling the country with Yolanda Cuesta, supporting her facilitation of focus groups with Spanish-speaking library patrons. Even though the conversations happen in areas as different from each other as Arkansas and Arizona, they echo each other in their answers to questions about the local library’s services to Latinos. They see that work is being done (sometimes) but there is always more to do.

What can be done to reach Spanish speakers and get them in the library? Here’s a list of things you can do, straight from Spanish-speaking library patrons.

In Arkansas and Arizona they said:

• help for the parents (they often feel intimidated if they have low English proficiency)
• programs for kids, especially toddlers, in Spanish
• understand that Story Times in English can help parents learn English
• provide information that is relevant (understand their lives OUTSIDE the library)
• offer low-cost or free classes for kids in areas such as art, music, sports, dance, math, etc. Low income Latinos cannot often afford these things for their kids or they don’t know where to find them (this has come up over, and over, and over again)
• improve the Spanish collection
• put flyers and ads in the community, such as tiendas, grocery, laundromats, etc. Market the library in the community gathering places.
• provide bilingual children’s materials
• provide activities for the kids with the understanding that you have the opportunity to get non-library using adults into the library and can catch their interest then
• help with using the catalog (don’t just point to the online catalog)
• hire staff that are bilingual and who understand the culture of the community. These staff should have a lot of knowledge about the library as well. They should be employed not just as pages, but also as librarians and administration.
• Computer classes in Spanish
• Change the physical environment with more bilingual signage. Make the library’s physical environment more welcoming, visually appealing, and culturally relevant
• More entertainment, like movies, which gets people who don’t understand the library into the door
• More outreach. Not everyone understands what the library is and how it can fit into their lives
• More cultural events
• Work on the perception that the library is not relevant to the lives of Hispanic community
• One participant really appreciates the Friends book sales because you can buy cheap books (in Spanish and English)
• Teach parents about computers so they can keep up with their kids and enable them to supervise their children’s use of the Internet
• More computer classes in Spanish for all skill levels – move beyond the basics
• Entertainment and childcare for kids while their parents participate in programs and classes
• bilingual tutors and homework helpers
• reach out to those who are either illiterate or who have low-literacy with programs not aimed at reading
• Offer literacy classes
• Offer opportunities to learn English
• Have resources about the local community’s culture and history, in Spanish and English
• Classes and programs for adults and kids
• More open hours that reflect the schedules of those who live in the community
• Quiet study spaces. Not everyone has a place to study at home.
• Help parents learn how they can play a role in their child’s educational development with early literacy classes, computer classes and tutoring, book groups, etc.
• Motivate, inspire, and empower the community with positive messages in community gathering places. Such as, “Si, se puede … You are never too old to learn to read, or learn about computers, etc.”

This is only a sampling of what your community is telling you it wants and needs in the library. You can find out more about what your library can do to serve to Spanish speakers in your community. Read past years focus group reports to learn what other communities are saying.

Next week, we will be in New York. Stay tuned for the highlights from that focus group.