Library Services to Latino Communities

Final Presentation Isis Amador

April 20, 2011

How to Improve Library Services to Latino Communities

Determine community needs & prioritize Determine target audience Consider potential partnerships Develop action steps Marketing

Evaluate
(Taken from Utah State Library Outreach website)

Demographics
U.S. Population, by Race and Ethnicity, 2010 and 2000 (thousands) U.S. Population Hispanic White Black Asian American Indian and Alaska Native 2010 50,478 196,818 37,686 14,465 2,247 2000 35,306 194,553 33,948 10,123 2,069

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander

Some other race Two or more races

482
604 5,966

354
468 4,602

Notes: Racial groups include only non-Hispanics. Hispanics are of any race.

Source: Pew Hispanic Center tabulations of U.S. Census Bureau

Outreach
"The extending of services or assistance beyond current or usual limits.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary,

Definition

"Provision of services to those unable to seek them."

Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language (1989).

The Role of Public Libraries in Outreach

What is outreach anyway? What does effective outreach look like? Why should the library reach out to Spanish speakers?

Effective Outreach
1.
2. 3. 4. 5.

Identify the needs of the community

Address those needs through strategic services. Make the and Demonstrate how the library is relevant in their life. Create a welcoming environment and let your community know they are welcome. Deliver services in a culturally competent manner.

Advocacy
National efforts
Reforma has promoted library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish speaking. WebJunction in partnership with State Libraries and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has sponsored Spanish Language Outreach programs.

Local Efforts
public libraries have offered materials and services to community residents for whom English is not their native language. smaller and rural libraries have experienced large increases of Spanishspeaking residents in their communities and have decided to enhance the library services.

Trends and Issues

Serving Latino Communities Success Checklist

http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11200

Partnerships can provide an excellent means of collaborating and networking within the Latino community Camila Alire

Conclusion

Serving Latino communities: A how-to-do-it manual for librarians (2nd ed.). Alire, C. & Ayala, J. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers.

Bienvenidos! Welcome!: A Handy Resource Guide for Marketing Your Library to Latinos Susannah Mississippi Byrd Publisher: ALA Editions