If you don't believe in the value of a rural library please check out the "Rural Library Project." The site mentions how small and rural libraries positively impact communities across the country. To quote directly from their site, a public library can "...stabilize the population, strengthen community, improve literacy, provide internet access...", and serve as an institution devoted to "lifelong learning." For more information, please be sure to visit the following website, http://rurallibraryproject.org/.
As rural public librarians what types of resources can we utilize to engage our Spanish speakers? Do they know what types of resources and materials our library provides? What are some service models that other rural public libraries are employing to remove barriers from providing service? How can we insure that we are culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of our Spanish speaking patrons? What are some ways that we can develop outreach programs? How do we attract non-users to the library and create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere? What if we do not currently own any Spanish language materials? What can we do on a limited budget to better accommodate our Spanish speaking users? It is imperative to assist rural librarians in their role in providing improved access to library services for Hispanics. More importantly, what actions support an increase in public library usage by Latinos in rural communities? What are the perspectives of the Latino non-user in regards to the public library? What are some guidelines in developing and providing effective programs and services?
As Flores and Pachon explain, "libraries hold considerable potential to play an important role in enriching the lives of immigrants and assisting their integration into communities" (2008, p.1). Rural public libraries are at a crossroads in being able to recognize, address, reach out, and accommodate diverse populations. Being culturally sensitive, fostering and establishing partnerships with an extended community network, actively engaging with members of the population, proactively promoting services to Latino communities, and creating a plan of action for having all staff members actively involved with implementing programs and instituting user-friendly policies may truly allow rural librarians to be better equipped to meet the needs of the underserved. Plans, programs, and resources will evolve and grow over time as needs change.
Some barriers to service include:
-Language
-Culture
-Library policies
-Branch hours of operation
-Library environment
Learn
It is important to understand your local Spanish speaking community. Research the community and understand what nationalities are present in your rural area. Look at local, state, and federal demographics to get a better grasp of immigration trends.
Comprehend
The term "Hispanic" designates Spanish speakers and is a general term not used to define race. As Allen explains...
Language may be one of the main barriers to providing effective services to Latino library users. If you do not have any bilingual staff or volunteers, at the very minimum, the presence of friendly and inviting non-Spanish speaking staff members may go a long way in facilitating a welcoming and responsive atmosphere. In many Latino cultures, the library is viewed as a government organization. The idea of borrowing books and attending free programs may really be vastly different from what individuals are used to in their home country.
Reach out
Go out into the community. Visit local stores, social groups, churches, restaurants. Get to know those powerful players in the Latino community that can assist in promoting library services and establishing a core network. Market by word of mouth and personally invite families to come visit the library. Explain what the library offers for all family members. Promote internet access, parenting resources, literacy, community building, fellowship with other families, advocacy, and access to educational and recreational materials.
Programs
Create kid-oriented programs that all members of a family can attend. Host a bilingual story time and recruit local mothers to read stories, taking turns in reading the books in Spanish and English to engage all those in attendance.
Evaluate
Be sure to evaluate your programs and services on a regular basis. Examine what the outcomes were for each program like changes in program attendance, library card registrations, and attitudes towards the library. Realize that it takes more than one bilingual story time to insure a continuous commitment to providing expanded services to Spanish speakers.
Education
Attend free online webinars so that you and your staff may learn fresh approaches to serving this previously underserved community. Check out some of the online resources available from other libraries. Network with other librarians that have experience working with Spanish speaking populations. Ongoing staff training is essential.
For more information please see some of the following articles listed below.
References
-Allen, A.A. (1988, Summer). Library services for Hispanic young adults. Library Trends, 37(1), 80-105.
-Alire, C., & Ayala, J. (2007). Serving Latino Communities: A How-to-Do it Manual for Librarians. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
-Bala, B., & Adkins, D. (2004, March/April). Library and information needs of Latinos in Dunklin County, Missouri. Public Libraries, 43(2), 119-122.
-Cramer, E. (2008, Fall/Winter). Servicios para la comunidad: Sharing the experiences of three Hispanic services librarians in North Carolina. North Carolina Libraries, 66(3/4), 53-57.
-Driver, C., & Wall, C. (2007, September/October). Spanish-speaking patrons in Kentucky's public libraries: Results of an exploratory study on services, staffing, and programs. Public Libraries, 46(5), 56-63.
-Ford, C.E., & Stephens, A. (2007). Alabama public library services to the Hispanic community. Alabama Librarian, 57(1), 6-19.
-Margolis, R. (2001, January). The best little library in Texas. School Library Journal, 47(1), 54-58.
-Marquis, S.K. (2003, March/April). Collections and services for the Spanish-speaking: Issues and resources. Public Libraries, 42(2), 106-112.
-Naylor, S., & Frey, S.M. (2006). Where cultural and information literacy meet: Serving Spanish-speaking library users in Indiana. Indiana Libraries, 25(4), 2-7.
-Snyder, T.A. (2004). Rural library services to minority populations: Case studies in the United States. Rural Libraries, 24(1), 51-63.
As Flores and Pachon explain, "libraries hold considerable potential to play an important role in enriching the lives of immigrants and assisting their integration into communities" (2008, p.1). Rural public libraries are at a crossroads in being able to recognize, address, reach out, and accommodate diverse populations. Being culturally sensitive, fostering and establishing partnerships with an extended community network, actively engaging with members of the population, proactively promoting services to Latino communities, and creating a plan of action for having all staff members actively involved with implementing programs and instituting user-friendly policies may truly allow rural librarians to be better equipped to meet the needs of the underserved. Plans, programs, and resources will evolve and grow over time as needs change.
Some barriers to service include:
-Language
-Culture
-Library policies
-Branch hours of operation
-Library environment
Learn
It is important to understand your local Spanish speaking community. Research the community and understand what nationalities are present in your rural area. Look at local, state, and federal demographics to get a better grasp of immigration trends.
Comprehend
The term "Hispanic" designates Spanish speakers and is a general term not used to define race. As Allen explains...
"An ethnically literate agency serving Hispanics will not consider the Hispanic population as one ethnic group but will recognize that although they may be unified by a common linguistic bond, there are various ethnic groups, each with its own distinctive culture and roots. The term Hispanic is currently used to describe a diverse population including Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and Central and South Americans."Create
Language may be one of the main barriers to providing effective services to Latino library users. If you do not have any bilingual staff or volunteers, at the very minimum, the presence of friendly and inviting non-Spanish speaking staff members may go a long way in facilitating a welcoming and responsive atmosphere. In many Latino cultures, the library is viewed as a government organization. The idea of borrowing books and attending free programs may really be vastly different from what individuals are used to in their home country.
Reach out
Go out into the community. Visit local stores, social groups, churches, restaurants. Get to know those powerful players in the Latino community that can assist in promoting library services and establishing a core network. Market by word of mouth and personally invite families to come visit the library. Explain what the library offers for all family members. Promote internet access, parenting resources, literacy, community building, fellowship with other families, advocacy, and access to educational and recreational materials.
Programs
Create kid-oriented programs that all members of a family can attend. Host a bilingual story time and recruit local mothers to read stories, taking turns in reading the books in Spanish and English to engage all those in attendance.
Evaluate
Be sure to evaluate your programs and services on a regular basis. Examine what the outcomes were for each program like changes in program attendance, library card registrations, and attitudes towards the library. Realize that it takes more than one bilingual story time to insure a continuous commitment to providing expanded services to Spanish speakers.
Education
Attend free online webinars so that you and your staff may learn fresh approaches to serving this previously underserved community. Check out some of the online resources available from other libraries. Network with other librarians that have experience working with Spanish speaking populations. Ongoing staff training is essential.
For more information please see some of the following articles listed below.
References
-Allen, A.A. (1988, Summer). Library services for Hispanic young adults. Library Trends, 37(1), 80-105.
-Alire, C., & Ayala, J. (2007). Serving Latino Communities: A How-to-Do it Manual for Librarians. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
-Bala, B., & Adkins, D. (2004, March/April). Library and information needs of Latinos in Dunklin County, Missouri. Public Libraries, 43(2), 119-122.
-Cramer, E. (2008, Fall/Winter). Servicios para la comunidad: Sharing the experiences of three Hispanic services librarians in North Carolina. North Carolina Libraries, 66(3/4), 53-57.
-Driver, C., & Wall, C. (2007, September/October). Spanish-speaking patrons in Kentucky's public libraries: Results of an exploratory study on services, staffing, and programs. Public Libraries, 46(5), 56-63.
-Ford, C.E., & Stephens, A. (2007). Alabama public library services to the Hispanic community. Alabama Librarian, 57(1), 6-19.
-Margolis, R. (2001, January). The best little library in Texas. School Library Journal, 47(1), 54-58.
-Marquis, S.K. (2003, March/April). Collections and services for the Spanish-speaking: Issues and resources. Public Libraries, 42(2), 106-112.
-Naylor, S., & Frey, S.M. (2006). Where cultural and information literacy meet: Serving Spanish-speaking library users in Indiana. Indiana Libraries, 25(4), 2-7.
-Snyder, T.A. (2004). Rural library services to minority populations: Case studies in the United States. Rural Libraries, 24(1), 51-63.
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