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Spanish Outreach

5th Birthday, Spanish Outreach
Top Five Trainers
May 14th, 2008 | Permalink | 1 Comment

In keeping with our fifth birthday theme, here is a list of the five trainers in the Spanish Language Outreach Program who inspire me the most. It was no easy task to choose just five from the group of over 100 incredibly talented trainers who have taken part in the SLO program over the past four years. I could have come up with many other lists (five funniest, smartest, most dedicated) but I am sticking with the five, that by their example, make me want to work even harder for libraries and Spanish speakers. To read more about these and our other talented trainers, visit our Trainer Spotlight section. Happy Birthday WJ!

Yolanda Cuesta – hands down the winner. Yolanda has been with the SLO program from the beginning, serving as our master trainer and curriculum developer. The long term goal of the SLO program is to increase usage of public access computers in libraries by Spanish speakers. Yolanda taught me that in order to achieve this goal, libraries must first build relationships and trust in the Spanish-speaking community – that and pretty much everything else I know about library services to Spanish speakers.

Bertha Huertero – When Bertha first started working in libraries in the San Diego area years ago, her fellow librarians told her “there are no Latinos in this community”. She didn’t simply accept what she was hearing from those above her. Instead, Bertha set about developing programs and marketing practices that brought the Latino community into the libraries in droves.

Shelly Quezada – I’d like to be Shelly when I grow up. Her path in libraries has taken her amazing places (from the Bookmobile in Watts to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and to libraries in Brazil, Mexico, Java, Borneo and Sumatra! She approaches her work with passion and determination to provide information and outreach to populations who are most in need of the services libraries can offer.

Miguel Vicente – How can you not be inspired by Miguel’s story? In 1994 he left Cuba on a raft. He learned English, earned a Masters Degree in Education, and became the library manager of the Pinewoods Library and Learning Center in Athens, Georgia. He is currently working on his MLS and he is thrilled that his position at Pinewoods allows him to help other Spanish-speakers to realize their own American dream.

Kim Iraci – Kim lives in a rural area of upstate New York that has recently been besieged by immigration raids. Through her work with community leaders (using our handy Community Leader Interview Guide), Kim gained their trust and eventually learned that there was a whole underground network of people and organizations providing services to migrant workers in the area. As a result of her outreach efforts, Kim’s library is becoming part of this trusted network.
Spanish Outreach
If you build it, will they come?
April 15th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

The REFORMA DC Metro Area Chapter, in conjunction with the Montgomery County Public Libraries, WebJunction, and the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Library Development & Services is offering a FREE one-day workshop, “If You Build It, Will They Come?: Expert Tips for Developing Spanish Language Collections.” Speakers include Dr. Camila Alire, Elissa Miller, and Betty Valdés.

When: Monday, May 5, 2008 (Cinco de Mayo)
Where: Rockville Library, Montgomery County Public Library

Registration is free but seats are limited so register fast!
Library Services, Spanish Outreach
New Report: Serving Non-English Speakers in U.S. Public Libraries
April 3rd, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

An outstanding report released last week by the American Library Association (ALA) study provides new information about library services and programs developed for non-English speakers. The report looks at effectiveness of services, barriers to library use, most frequently used services and most successful library programs by language served.

I wasn’t surprised by the report’s data that indicates Spanish is far and away the most supported non-English language in public libraries. Seventy-eight percent of libraries reported Spanish as the foreign language that is their first priority when it comes to providing programs and services to non-English speakers. Asian languages ranked second in priority at 29%.

I was surprised to learn that smaller communities are serving a larger proportion of non-English speakers. The report found that the majority of libraries serving non-English speakers are in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents.

Check out ALA’s one-page summary of the report highlights or download the full report. Stay tuned for a companion toolkit coming soon!
Member Spotlight, Rural and Small Libraries, Spanish Outreach
Member Spotlight: Stephanie Gerding is Living the Dream
March 27th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

As long as we’re knee-deep in PLA, this is a good time to draw your attention to our current Member Spotlight. Stephanie Gerding presented Wednesday a PLA pre-conference Grants workshop and is participating Saturday as virtual panelist on a WebJunction-led session (”From Hype to Help: Making a Difference with New Technologies Saturday”).

Gerding is a independent consultant with deep experience in the library world, seemingly having worked everywhere—the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, two state libraries, SIRSI, as well in academic and corporate libraries.

Of course we’re a little biased here, but we think some of her best work has been done as a WebJunction supporter. In addition to all the great content she has contributed to the community, Stephanie has been a trainer and coordinator for WebJunction’s Rural Libraries Sustainability and Spanish Language Outreach programs.

She even included WebJunction in the acknowledgments in her latest book, the Accidental Technology Trainer: A Library Guide:

“WebJunction—the organization, the website, the members, and everyone working there—has been very valuable to me, not only in writing this book, but as a trainer and librarian as well.”

Stephanie subscribes to the motto: “Live the Dream.” In the member spotlight, she passionately explains her method of directing her time and energies directly toward her goals. Once you accomplish that, she says, you’ll find opportunities for achieving your personal and professional goals begin appearing.

The process is certainly working for Stephanie! There’s more good stuff in the profile, so be sure to check it out.
PLA2008, Spanish Outreach
WebJunction and OCLC Language Sets
March 27th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

The four Cs of the OCLC Language Set Program: Content, Community, Catalog, Campaign; will be defined for PLA attendees in an update of multi-language “Language Set” offerings today (Thursday) at 3:30 at the Hyatt Regency Rooms. I look forward to representing WebJunction and sharing my experience with Spanish language collection development and the OCLC Language Set Program in support of this great initiative. Come and learn…
PLA2008, Spanish Outreach
Outreach PLA2008 Picks
March 26th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?
Now that the SLO pre-conference is done, I can focus my attention on the PLA sessions that kick off tomorrow. Here are my conference session picks:
- Caught in the Middle: Immigration Controversy and Library Service
  Thursday, March 27th,8:30am
- The Disconnected: Who are They? How Can We Help Them?
  Thursday, March 27th, 10:30am
- Supporting Early Literacy in Young English Language Learners: Language of the Heart @ your Library
  Thursday, March 27th, 2:00pm
- Bilingual Subject Headings for the 21st Century
  Friday, March 28th 8:30am
- Think Outside the Book: Online Services as Outreach
  Friday, March 28th 2:00pm
- Twenty Cultures, One Voice: Nuances and Challenges of Marketing Library Services to the Hispanic Community
  Saturday, March 29th 10:15am
PLA2008, Spanish Outreach
SLO Pre-conference @ PLA2008
March 26th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

Yesterday, WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program hosted an all day pre-conference for over thirty librarians from across the country. Trainers Bertha Huertero, Bruce Pomerantz, and Rachel Rubin did an outstanding job of sharing their knowledge and experience about implementing effective outreach to Spanish speakers!

We were honored to host guest speakers, Sr. Ricardo Hernandez, Consul General of the Mexican Consulate and Sr. Jesse Bethke Gomez, President of Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicios (CLUES). Both speakers shared their insights about the needs of the Latino community in the Minneapolis area.

CLUES is Minnesota’s premier provider of behavioral health and human services to the Latino community. A community builder and a catalyst for change, CLUES provides services that advance and enhance the quality of Latino’s lives in Minnesota, including: Mental Health Services, Chemical Health Services, Family Services, Aging Well Services, Employment Services, and Educational Services. They are doing amazing work by providing programs and services to the Latino community that meet the needs of the “whole family”.

Sr. Gomez strongly encouraged our participants to approach outreach to their Spanish-speaking patrons in a similar “family centric” way.
Conferences, News, Spanish Outreach
Diversity Fair Scholarship
March 4th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

WebJunction is excited to announce we are awarding a scholarship for a past workshop participant and a state trainer from our Spanish Language Outreach Program to attend the Diversity Fair at the American Library Association Annual Conference in June. Scholarship applicants will be selected based on the impact of the outreach activities they have implemented to Spanish speakers following their participation in the SLO program. The winners will receive a scholarship to design and present a poster describing their outreach project at the ALA Annual Conference Office for Literacy and Outreach Diversity Fair Poster Session in Anaheim, CA. The deadline to submit applications is April 11, 2008. The winners will have their project featured as a case study on WebJunction.

Sara Peté, 2007 Scholarship Winner

Former workshop participants and trainers are invited to apply for the scholarship.This is a great opportunity to showcase your library’s accomplishments in Spanish outreach as well as help inspire other librarians interested in creating and sustaining Spanish outreach services at libraries across the country. Check out more scholarship details, get the scholarship application, and read about last year’s winner, Sara Peté from the Olympia Timberland Library.
Spanish Outreach
Growing Comunidad: Library Programs and Materials for Latino Youth
February 27th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

Check out these great resources from the Growing Comunidad: Library Programs and Materials for Latino Youth Workshop taught last fall by by Jamie Campbell Naidoo, Ph.D. the University of South Carolina, School of Library and Information Science.

If you are looking for more great resources, consider attending USC’s first annual celebration of Latino Children’s Literature.
Spanish Outreach
New ULC Report: Welcome, Stranger
February 14th, 2008 | Permalink | 2 Comments

An informative, new report by Urban Libraries Council explores Public library strategies that help communities successfully welcome new Americans. Welcome, Stranger: Public Libraries Build the Global Village (ZIP file) identifies five key strategies that public libraries are effectively using to support immigrant transitions and help communities cope with rapid changes in demographics. I was pleased to see that five strategies detailed in the report validate the outreach best practices WebJunction advocates in our Spanish Language Outreach Curriculum and our Online Course.
Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Upcoming Webinar: Siga Adelante (Moving Forward)
February 6th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

Join us for the next Spanish Language Outreach In Depth webinar on February 12, 10:00-11:00 AM PST/ 1:00-2:00 PM EST.

Learn about Oklahoma’s successful Siga Adelante (Moving Forward) Program
developed by six Oklahoma public libraries in partnership with their state library and WebJunction. The six libraries throughout Oklahoma have provided free workshops on family literacy, health, and citizenship to their local Spanish-speaking communities and made all the workshop resources available on WebJunction. Pat Williams, the project coordinator, will present along with Vicki Mohr and Leslie Gelders of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Registration for this webinar is optional. To register and receive an email reminder, visit the WebJunction Calendar of Events.
News, Spanish Outreach
New Pew Report: Information searches that solve problems
January 10th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

The Pew Internet and American Life Project recently released another exceptional report. The new report looks at how people use the internet, libraries, and government agencies when they need help. The report has many interesting findings about how people search for and act on information they need to deal with complex issues such as health concerns, tax matters, or school enrollment.

One major finding of the study is:
“Compared to those with broadband connections, people who do not use the internet or who only use dial-up connections have different problems and different search strategies when they face personal issues. We call this group the low-access population and they are less successful than those with high-access to the internet in getting the material they need to address these problems.”

The study goes on to report that this “low-access population”, comprised of 36% of the population who do not use the internet or have only dial-up connections, rely more on television and radio for information than those with high-access. Libraries should take note of this finding when thinking about marketing their services to populations on the low access side of digital divide.

Although this study did not include Spanish speakers, we know from past reports from the Pew Hispanic Center, that Spanish-speakers are more likely to be part of the “low-access population.” Working with the local Spanish media to get the word out about library services is key to reaching this audience. For tips on working with the Spanish media check out the Resource Packet from our Spanish Language Outreach Program workshops.
Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Upcoming Webinar: Civics and Citizenship Toolkit for Public Libraries
January 3rd, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

Join the next free, one hour Spanish Outreach In Depth webinar on Tuesday, January 8, 1:00-2:00 PM EST. Containing a range of useful materials, the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit is a helpful resource to supplement or begin your collection for immigrants. The free collection includes immigration and civics publications designed for public libraries. Learn more about the toolkit from project coordinator, Carlos Muñoz-Acevedo. Mary Jane Vanilla of the King County Library System (WA) and Homa Naficy of the Hartford Public Library System (CT) will join him to present the public librarian’s perspective on the toolkit and library immigration programs.

Public libraries can register here to receive one free copy of the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit. Additional copies may be purchased through the U.S. Government Printing Office Bookstore.
Spanish Outreach
GLBTQ Books in Spanish for Young Adults
December 17th, 2007 | Permalink | Comment?

Sometimes it is difficult to find good books, both fiction and non-fiction, for young adults reading in Spanish that cover GLBTQ themes. However, there are resources out there for libraries wanting to buy books for their young adult collections. Loida Garcia-Febo recently posted a list of books gleaned from a recent discussion on the REFORMA listserv of titles REFORMA members have recommended. WebJunction re-published a list created by Ima Rimpau of recommended non-fiction titles. Do you have titles you would like to add to the list? Comment on this blog post to add your suggestions and we will compile your responses in a list to be published in January.
Spanish Outreach
Response to “English Only” article by Julie Stephens in November’s American Libraries
December 13th, 2007 | Permalink | 2 Comments

Yesterday I saw a bumper sticker that said “Uncle Sam wants you to speak English!” The bumper sticker reminded me of Julia Stephen’s recent article in American Libraries advocating that libraries should provide only English materials. The bumper sticker and the article both made me cringe. I strongly disagree with Ms. Stephen’s arguments but I would rather focus here on practical ways that libraries can address similar “English Only” sentiments they are facing in their own communities.

Two weeks ago I attended a Spanish Language Outreach Workshop in Beaverton, Oregon. Trainers Lucy Iraola and Lorie Vik facilitated a great discussion about how libraries can make the case for serving Spanish speakers and providing materials in Spanish. Here is a list of arguments and tactics local librarians brainstormed.

• The mission of the library is to serve the community, the WHOLE community.
• If we don’t serve this growing segment of the community we miss the opportunity to create future library users and this perpetuates their lack of English skills.
• Have you ever tried to learn a new language? How long did it take you to become fluent? Were you learning while you were working and caring for your family?
• Historically it has taken immigrant families a generation to become fluent in English. According to a new Pew Hispanic research report, 2nd generation immigrants are learning English at dramatically increasing rates.
• The vast majority of immigrants want to learn English but they lack the time and resources to learn. The library can serve as a bridge to help them learn English.
• Historically libraries have served the needs of immigrant groups and helped them adapt to life in the U.S. One hundred years ago libraries were helping German, Polish, Russian, and Italian immigrants.

Participants also suggested knowing the specific statistics of your own community (e.g., the high school drop out rate of Latinos in our community is x). They also suggested collecting the stories and anecdotes about how the library has helped Spanish-speaking patrons to show the benefit to the community (e.g., this patron learned basic computers skills and was able to apply for a job online. He now works for x business and is contributing to the tax base of our community).

Here are several other resources for making the case to serve Spanish speakers from the SLO workshop curriculum:
• 10 Reasons We Buy Spanish Books – By Al Milo
• Spanish Translation of the Library Bill of Rights
• REFORMA Language Rights
• Archive from WebJunction’s recent webinar on Effectively Addressing Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

Several leaders in the library community have written passionate responses to Ms. Stephen’s article. Check out these responses from:
REFORMA president, Mario Ascencio
Kathleen de la Peña McCook, Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa
Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California.