Creating a Welcoming Environment: Small Tips for Bigger Payoffs

When I first started exploring ways to attract our newest neighborhood residents to our library, I knew that I would need to create some Spanish language signs and informational bookmarks that would, at the minimum, direct Spanish speaking customers to our various collections, including our bilingual and Spanish language collections. Part of the essence of creating a friendly, warm, and welcoming environment is providing bright, clear, and vibrant signage that hopefully sets the tone for a library that serves all.

Thankfully, what I discovered at that time was an invaluable aid. Within a few keystrokes my much underused vocabulary of basic Spanish language terms came back to me, this time with help from the creators of "SOL." I would like to share this link to a helpful and informative website, "Spanish in our Libraries" which can be found at http://www.sol-plus.net/. Check out their links to current Spanish programming events being held nationwide by public libraries, as well as guides to creating press releases, library signs, and even the Dewey Decimal System in Spanish. There is even an Internet directory page devoted strictly to identifying and listing resources on the Internet for Spanish speaking computer users.

Enjoy exploring the many links on the SOL site!