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Or for those of you that don't speak Russian - Welcome to the Library. Imagine walking into your local library and having to interpret everything you see (and hear) into your own language, and that doesn't even begin to address computer use, reference resources, or cultural barriers you would encounter.

So what are Illinois libraries doing to meet the challenge of ever-increasing non-English speaking populations? Here are just a few examples:

• PolyTalk is a growing network of volunteer interpreters who help librarians and patrons communicate with one another. PolyTalk has also developed a language kit with multiple languages.
• Skokie Public Library sponsors a World Film Fest featuring critically acclaimed world films in their native language.
• The Midwest Chapter of Reforma is committed to promoting better communication between the Spanish speaking patron and the librarian. Their web site includes sample forms and policies in Spanish. (See the Special Populations: Spanish page and Spanish Language Outreach Program for additional resources)
• The Paxton Carnegie Public Library received an LSTA grant* to provide a bilingual storytime for their Spanish speaking population.

* Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)