Illinois - Marketing

Re: How are you marketing to your Spanish-speaking patrons?

2006-09-21T20:02:04Z

Hi Regina,

This is a great website. I especially liked the page of common Spanish phrases/vocabulary/conversations- http://www.sol-plus.net/plus/survspa/toc.htm

It is so helpful that this site focuses on serving Spanish speakers in a library environment. Thanks again for sharing!

Sarah

Re: How are you marketing to your Spanish-speaking patrons?

2006-09-20T20:11:00Z

The site www.sol-plus.net is a great help for creating Spanish library materials.

Re: Notes from the other side of the fence

2006-08-21T13:02:02Z

Karen,

Thanks so much for your response.

It says a lot about your committment to service that you are learning Spanish. I'm sure any patron would feel your sincerity before analyzing your grammar.

Vaya a Guadalajara - there's nothing like "diving in" to learn a language.

Take much care,
Rachel

Re: How are you marketing to your Spanish-speaking patrons?

2006-08-16T13:45:01Z

Hi All,

I promised Laura I would get back to everyone about our marketing efforts at
Gwinnett County Public Library.

It is very beneficial to keep programming efforts going even if initial attendance at programs is low. A lot depends upon the energy you spend building relationships with other service provider and with your clientele. Of course, we all have SO MUCH extra time for this...but it is a crucial element in our small successes at GCPL.

Keep the schedule of programs going even if the turn out is low. Strive to create a high quality experience for each training program.

We have just completed another series of "People and Stories/Gente y Cuentos". at GCPL. We had a low turn out, but at the end of one session an attendee upon receiving her certificate of completion said, "I have never received a certificate in my life...thank you! thank you! thank you!"

Gwinnett County Public Library staff are currently planning our first SLO Training program sessions. We hope to build our audiences through contacts from the
"People and Stories/Gente y Cuentos" attendees.

Slowly but surely, we are planning to be successful!

Karen

Re: Notes from the other side of the fence

2006-08-16T13:23:33Z

Hi Rachel,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
I am in the process of learning Spanish and it is the same
way for me!

I can understand more and more, "cada dia," especially if customers
speak slowly! What is challenging is getting words and tenses to
jump to my head! It is very much like having a glitch in one's brain...
or...(I am dating myself now!) a nick on a record!

I think going to a place where the language you are learning is the
predominant one is the best way to learn! Your message encourages
me to start planning my trip to Guadalajara!

It does make one more understanding of people who do not speak English as a
primary language! It also fosters admiration for people who do not let externals get in the way of improving their quality of life!

Have a Blessed Day!

Karen

Re: Perceptions of clients and agencies

2006-08-10T22:24:54Z

Thanks Bruce! This is a great information! I wasn't able to view all the nifty graphs and charts on your attachment, but was able to find the study in html or pdf at the <a href="http://www.jsri.msu.edu/RandS/research/wps/wp64abs.html">Julian Samora Research Institute</a> site. I encourage folks to check out some of the other rich and relevant research in the <a href="http://www.jsri.msu.edu/RandS/research/wps/index.html">working papers</a> section. There are studies from regions all over the country. There's one called <a href="http://www.jsri.msu.edu/RandS/research/wps/wp65abs.html">Immigration and Poverty in the Northwest Area States</a> that I'm putting in my reading pile!!

Perceptions of clients and agencies

2006-08-10T20:45:12Z

The attached study re-enforces the importance of the community leader interview and talking with other individuals to learn your local Latino community needs. The study contrasts the perceptions of social service providers in central Minnesota with the expressed needs of 100 Latino women that received the services. Sometimes the perceptions and needs align; other times they do not. It raises the issue of whether your perceptions align with the desires of the Latino community.

Being an academic paper, the first several pages focus
on methodology and demographics. To get to the findings, go to the
section that begins: Comparing Latina Demographics and Providers Estimates.

Re: Example of Spanish Library Card Application

2006-08-07T05:23:11Z

Stephanie:

Attached you will find the Spanish Library Card Application in Spanish for the Las Vegas Clark County Library District, Las Vegas, Nevada.

One PDF is the front side while the other PDF is the back side of the application.

Good luck,

Salvador Avila
Las Vegas, Nevada

Re: Example of Spanish Library Card Application

2006-08-03T17:49:06Z

Hi Stephanie,

I like the examples on the SOL/PLUS site because they have the English and Spanish side by side on the application.

Here is another example from a library in Wisconsin that uses separate Spanish and English application forms:
http://www.scls.lib.wi.us/dcl/regisformspanish.pdf
http://www.scls.lib.wi.us/dcl/regisform.pdf

And here is a link to the San Diego Library's applications. They also use separate English and Spanish forms: http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/services/library.card.shtml#downloadcard

Please be sure to post the translation that you end of using!
Laura

Re: Example of Spanish Library Card Application

2006-08-02T23:45:53Z

Hi Stephanie,
Here's one good template, from the SOL site (Spanish in Our Libraries):
http://www.sol-plus.net/plus/services/app.htm

You may also find some good examples on the REFORMA list of library websites with information in Spanish: http://www.reforma.org/spanishwebsites.htm

Example of Spanish Library Card Application

2006-08-02T22:58:19Z

I need examples of Spanish language library card applications. We are updating our current forms and I know there are some things we could change to make them more "Latino friendly." For example, only ask for first, middle and last name which could be confusing to someone with five names.
Please post examples if possible!
Thanks,
Stephanie Williams
Pioneerland Library System - Minnesota

Advertising library hours and services

2006-07-27T16:44:31Z

We are trying to find the best way to market our library hours to our Hispanic community. I am going to try announcements at Spanish mass, handouts at WIC clinics, and Public Service Announcements on our radio station's Spanish hour. Our library system is in the middle of Minnesota and we have a large population of non-english speakers that work at our meat and agricultural processing facilities. I'm running into a bit of resistance from the companies. I had wanted to stuff paychecks with bookmarks in Spanish listing the library hours, etc. Does anyone have any ideas for "trinkets" or bookmarks, fridge magnets, anything useful that we can hand out to our spanish speakers? What has worked - or not worked for you. Any advice is good advice!!!!!!

Re: Notes from the other side of the fence

2006-07-26T05:13:29Z

Rachel - I hope the interview went well - in whichever language they conducted it!

Your post was so insightful. Now if we could just take some segments of the US population who are currently trying to limited things like bi-lingual signage and drop them into your environment and experiences. I bet their paradigms would start shifting, fast.

This article just made me scratch my head. What's next bans on mariachi music? http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0719/p03s03-ussc.html

Laura

Re: marketing to spanish speakers

2006-07-26T05:07:35Z

Hi Kelly,

What I have heard from several trainers is that Unvision doesn't typically charge libraries to publicize their events. If I am incorrect, someone please jump in!

My understanding though is that these folks have developed relationships with Univsion and it is a two way street. Univison helps out the libraries and libraries look for ways (typically stories) that can help out Unvision. These libraries treat the press like royalty!

I think I would start by contacting your local station or talking to some of your Hispanic/Latino Community Leaders to find out who a good person to contact at Univsion might be.

Laura

Re: Notes from the other side of the fence

2006-07-20T20:03:23Z

You and the UPS clerk are on my top 10 list. Thanks for the response. Today I interviewed for a volunteer position at a trilingual library - such a paradigm shift. I'm excited!

Re: marketing to spanish speakers

2006-07-19T17:10:09Z

My question is simple and to the point. What does Univision charge to run "stuff" on their television station for libraries? And how does one get in contact with them?
Thanks
Kelly

Re: Notes from the other side of the fence

2006-07-14T16:10:26Z

Rachel, these are such valuable insights! I think it's hard for any of us to really empathize with the immigrant experience until we've actually been there.

I've visited Montreal a few times and I'm always struck by how foreign I feel there. It has everything to do with only knowing a smattering of the language and not being able to communicate effectively. You are so right that it is scary to ask for information. When I did muster up some of my rusty French to ask a question, most of the time, I couldn't understand the answer. Very disorienting!

"Bilingual signage is beautiful." So true. It's a language instruction tool.

Good luck with your residency application. Let us know how your "immigrant experience" goes and what you find that helps you the most. Thanks for sharing.

Notes from the other side of the fence

2006-07-14T14:13:36Z

Two weeks ago I arrived in Montreal, Canada. The predominant language is French. My comprehension is high - my expression is low...

I am applying for residency here. The process is extensive.

While I felt that I was empathetic to the immigrant experience previously, an intimate, first-hand experience is teaching me the following things about being an Immigrant:

1. Asking for information is scary - scarier if the person I`ve asked is abrubt.

2. What I need information about has completely changed.

3. I understand much more than I can express.

4. I`m trying to learn the language - when I`m cut off or delegated to another service agent it abbreviates my opportunity to express myself and more importantly my progress.

5. Bilingual signage is beautiful. I`m surprised at how the simplest bit of familiarity can comfort me. The UPS clerk said, "Alrighty!" I wanted to kiss him.

6. A friendly place as a foreigner is a haven.

Re: marketing to spanish speakers

2006-07-12T03:54:44Z

Univision and any popular radio station are two of the best tools one can employ to introduce and encourage use of library services. Most cities with a large Spanish speaking community, for the most part, have a radio station that highlights or features a famous dj from a large metropolitan city. These DJ's are great at attracting an audience. If these radio and tv station get a hold of a library program that they want to advance within this segment of the community, they will promote it on a grand scale. If this happens, libraries better be prepared to handle the large number of potential/future patrons attending a program or utilizing a service. I have heard of libraries not promoting to these radio and tv stations because they know that the responses are going to be overwhelmingly for the facility. I agree with Laura in that it is a great problem to have as you might now have to create more computer classes to accommodate such a large pool of interested community members.

Salvador Avila
Las Vegas, Nevada

Re: Los Angeles Latino Book and Family Fest

2006-06-16T21:06:49Z

Maria,

Thanks for posting about the Latino Book Fest this fall! I am going to add a link to your post to several of the other topics that were started at CA workshops in your area to try to help get the word out.

I have to admit I am not quite sure what constitutes the Inland Empire in CA. But I am attending a SLO workshop in Riverside next month and will pass your request along to participants there.

Laura Staley (WJ)