Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Maura Walsh
Abstract
This paper makes a case for what our library service to the Latino community should
entail and why. First, there should be an understanding of and a respect for the culture.
and technology skills. Third, the library should be a place that embraces and allows
them to find pleasure in materials in their native language. Some key ideas and
The United States has long been an ethnic melting pot and, though we may pride
ourselves on having formed a new culture and country, we can be quite closeminded
about some of the ethnic groups presently trying to join our society. In this paper we are
increasing in many areas across the country and every indication is that this segment of
our population will continue to grow. Three considerations seem paramount: conserving
culture, enabling proficiency and providing pleasure. The library’s role is fundamental
and can do so much to help these newest segments of our society become fulfilled and
Culture
In order to serve other cultures we must first try to understand them. Part of this
encompasses respecting ethnic differences and not simply expecting those from foreign
cultures to automatically understand how ours works. Outreach will be more effective if
we know something about the complexities of Latino culture, both traditional and
popular: art, television, music, literature, folklore, and religion. This reflects Gary
Howard’s theories as well as his citation of Malcolm X: “We can’t teach what we don’t
Learning about Latino culture will also help us highlight differences in order to
see what they may need more help understanding in our culture (like the role of women)
or what they will value (for example, community events). Libraries are perhaps uniquely
equipped to bridge this cultural diversity gap because they already have as their mission
service to the community. The more we understand about Latino cultures, the more we
will understand about our own, and the better prepared we will be to provide valuable
because they are not ‘legal’ or ‘real’ Americans. I think the wise librarian will be able to
find justification in the library’s own mission statements and plenty of tools, like those in
the ALA toolbox, to help make the case to local authorities. The most crucial line of
reasoning is that public libraries serve their populations. We should only attempt to
judge what they might like to read, what services they are likely to take advantage of;
not what they should read or do. Not supplying books in another language when there
are users who wish to read in that language is as irrational as not providing books about
‘balanced’ diet.
Elaine Yontz says: “If service to Hispanic patrons is not yet a major concern of
your library, it will be soon.”(Imroth & McCook, 2000, p.134). We know that the Spanish
speaking population is rapidly increasing in many areas across the country and every
indication is that this segment of our population will continue to grow. Given this, it
seems logical to conclude, as she does, that: “To lobby for a certain amount of
should encourage utilities and vendors to catalog with more sensitivity to special
populations.” (Imroth & McCook, 2000, p.133). It is part of our job to find meaningful
ways to communicate effectively and sincerely with people from other cultural groups
Walsh Truly Serving 1
and to give them respect both directly and indirectly, so the terms used should be
consistent in this respect. Having the professional tools that we need to accomplish this
Proficiency
important part of modern life. Therefore proficiency in being able to access information
is an integral part of being able to be successful in our society. This proficiency is akin to
being literate, but merely being able to read and write is no longer enough. Today being
literate should also include being able to use a computer. Without computer skills
neither the library OPAC nor databases can be accessed. Many job advertisements
Today Latinos comprise 14% of the U.S. adult population and about half of this
growing group (56%) goes online. By comparison, 71% of non-Hispanic whites and 60%
of non-Hispanic blacks use the internet (Pew, 2007). Clearly, there is a duty to increase
those numbers and the library is probably the best platform to provide that opportunity.
language programs. The ALA reports that 21 million people speak little or no English
(ALA 2007), which is actually 50 % more than only a decade ago. This parallels the
growth in importance of technology and it makes sense to try and provide programs that
either encompass both skills or feed participants from one program into another. The
ALA also reports that 78% of libraries, and especially libraries in smaller communities,
Beyond the library’s traditional duty to the community of helping new immigrants
learn how to cope with this society and adjust to a new culture, beyond teaching specific
language and technological skills, there is also an obligation to provide materials for the
reading and viewing pleasure of this segment of the population. Just because someone
learns English and learns to function in an English speaking society, they do not loose
their ability to function in their native language. Reading in English will probably never
replace reading in Spanish. Nor will watching American films be a satisfactory substitute
for watching films made by their fellow countrymen in their native language. Therefore,
libraries should strive to provide those materials for their patrons, and should probably
strive to recruit patrons for their libraries that come as close as possible to reproducing
the percentages of their local community. One thing may very well lead to the other.
How to do it all
Latino organizations (2007). This certainly gives a great entré to the community, and
provides a ready made organizational structure to take advantage of if there are such
groups in the community. In the marketing section they list the following steps: plan well,
use promotional fliers and the Internet, use bilingual PR, emphasize that services are all
free, write effective press releases, utilize public service announcements, give effective
presentations, and develop a distribution list with the necessary information included. Of
Use bilingual PR. This is a good idea even if the service or program is only being
offered in English. Parents might like to bring their children to a story hour but either not
Walsh Truly Serving 1
understand enough about how it works from an English only announcement, or feel that
they would not be welcome if they do not speak English. Frequently children know more
Emphasize that all programs are free. 'It's free.' and 'You're welcome.' are the two
most important messages to get across. Many Latinos may come from areas that did
not have libraries or the libraries were not able to offer many services. We want them to
know what we offer and we want them to come. This is a vital part of outreach. In fact, I
think it would be great to develop a bilingual slogan to print as a footer on every library
publication saying that all are welcome and all services and programs are free.
Develop a distribution list. This is a step that will pay off over and over again.
track of who they are, what group they represent, what their interests are, contact
information and dates that are important to their community or group. (Holidays and
celebrations vary from country to country.) If the library keeps good records of these
things they will be able to provide greater services and attract more patrons. In short,
Conclusion
When a library more fully serves its community it is a better library. Successful
support means providing programs that are tailored to the demographics of its
community and should include practical as well as pleasurable programs. Libraries are
uniquely positioned to help the immigrant populations blend into society successfully
while at the same time valuing the cultural riches they bring to contribute to that same
society. Libraries can supply support that is practical, emotional and intellectual.
References
ALA, (2007). Serving non-English speakers. Retrieved November 25, 2008, from
site:http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/olos/nonenglishspeakers/docs/LI_Rep
ort_Summary.pdf
ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach. (2008). How to serve the world @ your library:
Alire, C. & Ayala, J. (2007). Serving Latino communities. 2nd ed. NY: Neal-Schuman
Publishers, Inc.
Cuban, S, (2007). Serving new immigrant communities in the library. Wesrport, CT:
Libraries Unlimited.
Fox, S. & Livingston, G. (2007 March 14). Reports: Demographics. Retrieved November
24, 2008, from Pew internet and American life project: Web site:
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/204/report_display.asp
Howard, G.R. (2006). We can’t teach what we don’t know: White teachers and
University.
Quesada, T. (2007 November). Spanish spoken here. American Libraries, 30(10), 40-
44.