Illinois - Management for Outreach

RE: Re: War stories from the Trenches - things they don't teach in library

2008-10-31T19:51:28Z

Not everyone requires a photo ID. Some of us get by with a letter (preferably a bill) sent to the person's local address.

Then again, I'm in Illinois where the ability to get a library card is based upon where one lives (and pays taxes). Other locations vary.

RE: Re: War stories from the Trenches - things they don't teach in library

2008-10-31T14:05:03Z

I have another question for everyone. As I talk to community leaders, ESL teachers, providers of services to the Spanish-speaking population around here, it seems like a major barrier for many folks to use the library is the fact that libraries in our system require a photo ID in order to get a library card. I'm trying to do some research about what other libraries do about this, how they balance the need to be able to keep track of materials with the need to make sure everyone has access to those materials. Any ideas?
Thanks so much.
Leah

Spanish Language Outreach Activities Report for Coos County, Oregon

2008-09-28T19:58:51Z

Spanish Language Outreach Activities Report, Dianne Zarder with North Bend Public Library, Ellen Thompson of Coos Bay Public Library, and Celso Ledesma of Southwestern Oregon Community College, in Coos County Oregon, August 2008.

[As we're working as a team, Dianne is reporting for all 3 of us.]

We have produced and distributed a handout titled "English-Spanish/Ingles-Espanol Library Conversations," heavily based on documents found on the Public Libraries Using Spanish website and from an InfoPeople Project. To view the handout, go to http://wjbeta.webjunction.org/web/guest/spanish-for-staff/resources/wjarticles , click on Documents, and click on English-Spanish/Ingles-Spanish Library Conversations. Dianne spearheaded this project, with Ellen and Celso giving input, as well as Flavia Finn, the Bilingual Liaison at the college. We emailed the document to all of the public library directors and community college library director in the county for distribution to their staff and appropriate patrons, as well as to Flavia.

The team will meet again in 2 weeks, and then once a month to further progress on activities described below. On a volunteer basis, we will meet weekly, as schedules allow, to read through bilingual books together, to become more conversant in Spanish and improve our pronunciation, while Celso, whose first language is Spanish, will conversely improve his English. We're really looking forward to this activity, which will help us be more confident and proficient in serving the needs of our library patrons and marketing these services.

Ellen will make a list of DVDs originating in Spanish-speaking countries that are in the local libraries, and distribute it. Most of these DVDs will have English language subtitles and perhaps English audio as an option. Dianne will recommend purchase of some DVDs for the North Bend library that originate in Mexico or Central or South America, which are in Spanish but have English subtitles or audio option. She will look in particular for award-winners and those with good reviews, por supuesto.

Dianne will make a list of materials on English language specifically for Spanish speakers as well as English as a Second Language to distribute.

Dianne will also make a list of bilingual items at the North Bend library to distribute. She has found that though it is possible to find these items through a search of the online catalog, the use of the catalog and an advanced search is confusing for some patrons.

Celso will contact a few people that speak Spanish and English well, to the end of finding volunteers to assist Spanish-speaking patrons to get library cards and to assist in awareness and understanding of library services. These volunteers will be available at designated times at both public libraries so patrons will feel assured there will be someone available. Celso has recommended that this service be called "Atencion en Espanol" to indicate that there is someone available to attend to patrons' needs in Spanish. In the meanwhile, we'll record the day and time that we see people in the library whose first language is Spanish, to try to establish the best time for this service. An existing flyer publicizing library services to Spanish-speaking people in the community will be edited to include this service.

Celso has offered to serve as translator if we have a Spanish-speaking patron with whom we're having trouble communicating, by calling him at the college library.

Ellen will pursue the idea of a Family Story Night, at which stories from Mexico, Central and South America, and Spain will be read, and participants will be encouraged to share. A recommended story to include is the folktale, La Llorona. The stories picked would be of interest for the whole family. Efforts would be made to make the event be as bilingual as possible.

Celso has suggested, and Ellen and Dianne will try to implement, purchasing Books on CD in Spanish that match book titles we have in Spanish, particularly at the middle school to high school level. These CD and print titles do not have to be kept together, but would be useful to patrons trying to learn Spanish so that they can read along while they're listening. This service would fulfill a goal of improving the Spanish language skills of the general English-speaking public, and staff! Celso will also give information to Ellen about a motivational Spanish language Book on CD on excellence for purchase consideration.

When the above flyers and lists have been edited or created, Celso will distribute the flyer, conversation handout, and Spanish language lists mentioned above to pastors of churches in the area (at least 2 of which have Spanish-speaking pastors), to schools, and to gathering places of Spanish speakers in the community such as a Latino grocery store. We will also distribute these items in the libraries.

Hispanic Heritage Month

2005-11-30T22:06:53Z

What Hispanic Heritage Month programs and activities happened in your library this year? Please post any stories, resources, questions or suggestions that you would like to share with the library community. Also, check out the interview with Travis Fristoe of the Alachua County Library District found at http://www.webjunction.org/spanish-cultural-celebrations/articles/content/439571.

They hosted a successful Latino film festival this year. As a MLIS student I am inspired by what libraries around the country are doing. Don't keep all of that hard work to yourself. Let us know!

Re: Hispanic Heritage Month

2005-12-01T18:33:36Z

That is very exciting that your community has its own Hispanic Heritage Committee and that your library is actively partnering with them.

I have to admit that whenever people post on WJ about storytime activities I find myself wishing I could go and have someone read stories to me and then get to make a cool project. I think we need story and craft time for grown ups!

Laura

Promoting a World Language section

2008-07-08T17:57:22Z

Hi,

One of our libraries in PA is working on the Action Plan by creating a brochure to promote their World Language section. Has anyone out there created such a brochure in English and/or Spanish that would be willing to share what they've done?

Thanks!
Stephanie Zimmerman (PA)

Re: Community outreach

2008-06-22T13:03:34Z

Hi Rebekah-

We give them to the volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel to use. We also offer them to the local police when they come in to answer our calls (rowdy kids, nutty patrons), and to the emergency room at the hospital. We don't use those places as distribution points, because we want to get people in to the library, at least once.

Lisa

Re: Community outreach

2008-06-10T21:56:34Z

I love this idea and I'd like to incorporate it into my outreach to the Latino community. I have a question, though. When you say that you distribute the dictionaries to a fire station, for example, does this mean that those coming into the fire station can pick up the dictionaries or that the fire fighters themselves distribute them?

Thanks,
Rebekah

Deschutes Library-Redmond Branch

2008-05-21T22:56:24Z

At a recent staff meeting I was able to discuss with staff the many resources offered by WebJunction to help us better serve the Latino community in our town. We now have a direct link on our reference page to selected helpful translated phrases. We discussed the need for signage in Spanish and will be pursuing this project. We have also instituted a Spanish phrase of the week that is introduced on Mondays at our daily mini staff meeting. Throughout the week we then practice the phrase so that everyone is comfortable using it.

Progress report on Outreach Activities from Deschutes Public Library

2008-05-07T23:02:29Z

We have accomplished most of the outreach activities we set initially at Deschutes Public Library (DPL.) WebJunction workshop DPL participants have introduced WebJunction's SLO site at most of DPL's branch/department staff meetings-those that we didn't get to in the last few months will be addressed in the near future. 27 community leader interviews have been conducted since August, 2007. DPL has reached 3 Youth Services Agencies; 1 Women Centers; 1 Organizations of /for people with disabilities; 1 Miscellaneous organization; 8 Educational Organization; 3 Family Services agency; 1 Community Service agency and 2 Businesses while conducting the interviews. DPL also developed and filmed a video to aid Spanish speaking patrons completing a library card application We will probably revise a bit before releasing but we believe it will be a useful resource for patrons and staff. Oh and just recently we held DPL's 2nd annual El día de los niños event with a turnout of 500 people! Many of the organizations that we conducted community leader interviews with participated in the event. Lots more to do but we've accomplished quite a bit in just the few months since our November, 2007 workshop!

Re: Bilingual VS Spanish only computer classes

2008-04-23T23:40:46Z

Hi, I wanted to write to let you know we are attempting the bilingual classes this May. We are having a teacher teach in English and a staff member translate. Our hope is that our staff member who is translating will feel confident enough in her computer ability after a few classes to take in on herself. We are also providing hand-outs in both English and Spanish. We have had great communication with our community's Latino Alliance office and they are helping us out a great deal -- from what I understand there is a Latino Festival up here @ East Stroudsburg University in the fall. They are going to be sending me the information soon. That would be a great place for libraries to get their advertising out to the community!
Keep me posted on how your classes work out -- I will do the same.
We haven't had any complaints yet about child care but our problem is finding the right time -- we chose mid morning...

Re: Community outreach

2008-04-23T21:39:59Z

Milly-

I have to chuckle. Our population is about 5000 total and we purchased dictionaries twice so far (In the past few years) the first time we spent $1,000 which was grant money for outreach, and the second time we spent $800 out of our operating budget. The dictionaries worked out to about $5.00 each. We also received some as a gift from our Spanish language book supplier.

Our conversation group is just that -a conversation group. The leader is a woman who worked here for several years before moving out of town. She's back, but not working here and wanted to keep her library connection. She is bilingual and the most important thing she has to offer is the fact that she was completely unable to speak English when she first came to this country. That experience and empathy inform her approach.

I hope this helps.

Lisa

Re: Community outreach

2008-04-23T20:58:11Z

Hi Milly,

Wow! That is great that you have so many bi-lingual staff! Here is a link to a webinar archive we did about Conversation Clubs that might be helpful: http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=15571

Cheers,
Laura Staley

Re: Bilingual VS Spanish only computer classes

2008-04-23T19:47:30Z

Devery - Please keep us posted and let us know how the bi-lingual model works. I hope the childcare situation works out - it is a challenge to offer it but I think it will have a really positive impact on your program.

Laura

Re: Community outreach

2008-04-23T19:36:54Z

Lisa,

Giving out English/Spanish dictionary is a great idea and, with your permission, I would like to suggest it to our library. Do you have an average number of dictionaries that you order?

Our Hispanic population is 76% and 90% of our staff are bilingual in Spanish. However, our biggest hurdle is manpower: 79 staff count for a population of approximately 340,000 residents, makes it difficult in planning new activities. This is why the dictionary idea is so perfect.

I have a question regarding your conversational English classes and, if possible, would like to find out more on how these classes are organized. You can respond to me in this listserve or through my personal email: mlugo@santa-ana.org.

Thanks again for sharing your outreach programs with us!

Milly

Re: Bilingual VS Spanish only computer classes

2008-04-21T22:43:49Z

You know I am planning on having bi-lingual computer classes. My plan is to have a teacher who teaches in English and a translator that translates in Spanish.

That is because most computer teachers do not speak Spanish, though I am not sure why.

I already have lesson plans written in English and Spanish. They are very simple lessons that take about 15-30 minutes in English. With Spanish added that should take about an hour. Perfect for everyone. Or so I hope.

My problem is childcare. There needs to be enough childcare at the library. The Children's Dept will need to coordinate with the computer lab teacher. If I can coordinate all of this then the program should do well.

Administration is thinking about getting a computer lab put into the main branch. Yea!!

So I say that yes you should combine them. At my library, we have bi-lingual story time and English children come to learn Spanish!

Re: Bilingual VS Spanish only computer classes

2008-04-10T17:12:29Z

HI, Thanks so much for your tips -- it is going to take some work but I will let ya know how things go...

Re: Bilingual VS Spanish only computer classes

2008-04-10T16:24:46Z

Hi Patti,

You raise a very good question. I would be inclined to publicize the class as being taught in Spanish and produce your flyers in Spanish.

Some of your participants will very likely be fluent in both English and Spanish. But I am guessing that some participants will have limited English. Having the class in Spanish should work for both segments.

I am also afraid that if your instructor was trying to cover everything in both English and Spanish that would be really difficult!

Please let us know how the class goes. These resources may be helpful as you prepare for your class:http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=7843

Re: Deschutes Library - Sisters Branch

2008-04-10T16:11:59Z

Thank you for the update from Deschutes! I thought this quick guide about podcasting might be helpful: http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=16133. It is part of the Blended Learning Guide WebJunction published last year. Please keep us posted. I am sure many other libraries would be interested in creating similiar podcasts.

Hope to meet you in person at OLA/WLA next week!

Laura Staley

Re: Deschutes Update - South Counties

2008-04-10T16:04:08Z

Hi Colleen,

It is great to hear about your progress in Deschutes. I just wanted to point out the Serving Spanish Speakers Success Checklist as a possible resource for questions to ask: http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11200

By this fall we will also have another great resource to share. We are currently doing a national research project with the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute that looks at Latino Perceptions of Public Libraries. They have developed a great questionnaire for the study. My hope is that libraries will want to use the questions to compare how their own community's perceptions match up with those around the country.

Hope to get a chance to meet you in person at OLA/WLA next week!

Laura Staley