Library Services for Immigrants

Library Services for Immigrants PDF

Author: US Citizenship and Immigration Services

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 16

ISBN-13:

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Public libraries in the United States have a long history of providing resources and education to immigrants. This tradition may be traced to Andrew Carnegie's support for public libraries as a place for immigrant self-education, enlightenment, and the study of democracy and English. This role is especially relevant today as the immigrant population in the United States has grown to a record 33.5 million people, representing approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population. New immigrants are settling outside of traditional gateway cities where there are fewer resources to facilitate integration, such as English language instruction or citizenship preparation courses. Thus, there is an even greater role for public libraries in welcoming and educating immigrants. This report identifies current practices in library services for immigrants and offers ideas for libraries that wish to provide programs and services for immigrants living in their communities. The report, which provides sample suggestions and strategies, is not a comprehensive guide, as there are likely many other promising approaches for assisting immigrants in libraries nationwide. The report addresses the following topics: (1) Partnerships; (2) Collections; (3) Information Services; (4) Programs and Events; (5) Outreach; and (6) Planning. The practices and recommendations in this report are the result of a working group convened in October 2004 by the Office of Citizenship, which is part of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security. The working group included representatives from public libraries across the country, immigrant community-based organizations, and adult educators who work with English language learners. Over the course of a day and a half, the group discussed many issues related to helping immigrants integrate into U.S. society, with a special focus on the roles public libraries can play. Their ideas are reflected in this report. A list of Working Group participants; and a list of Web sites of libraries participating in the Working Group are appended.

Designing Adult Services

Designing Adult Services PDF

Author: Ann Roberts

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2017-11-01

Total Pages: 195

ISBN-13: 1440852553

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Focusing on adult patrons ages 19 through senior citizens, this book explains how libraries can best serve this portion of their community's population at different life stages and foster experiences that are "worth the trip"—whether actual or virtual. Adult library patrons are busier than ever before—working, taking classes and studying for advanced degrees, caring for children, helping their aging parents, taking care of their homes or rental properties, planning and nurturing careers, managing investments and retirement funds, and inevitably retiring. Each of these endeavors can require highly specific learning and education. Throughout their lives, adults continue to have different information needs that the library and its services can fill. Designing Adult Services: Strategies for Better Serving Your Community discusses the many ways libraries can serve adults of various ages and at different life stages, covering online services, collection development, programming, and lifelong learning. This guide's unique approach simplifies the processes of designing and carrying out a successful adult services program for adult library users in all the various stages of life. The book is organized by age groups, with the respective information needs and life challenges. Each chapter suggests programs, services, and collection development strategies for the life stages. Public library administrators and managers as well as adult services librarians in public libraries will find this guide a must-read.

Library Services for Immigrants and New Americans

Library Services for Immigrants and New Americans PDF

Author: Jennifer Koerber

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2018-05-09

Total Pages: 109

ISBN-13:

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Wondering what your library can do for your community's immigrant population? This book is replete with resources, tips, and suggestions providing valuable guidance to librarians who want to better serve this still-growing part of America's population. This up-to-date guide to developing and implementing a wide variety of services to immigrants and new Americans focuses on the practical steps of creating and promoting programs. Illustrated by success stories in libraries throughout the country, the book discusses both traditional (ESOL and citizenship classes) and transformative (legal aid and workforce development) programs and services in terms of size, type, and local political climate (e.g., sanctuary cities) at a variety of public libraries as well as in select school libraries. As changes unfold in regard to how the federal government and local communities view and treat immigrants and new Americans in their midst, this topic deserves a fresh take from the profession. The author meets that need, providing practical ideas that range from creating more accessible websites and improving wayfaring and customer service in order to overcome cultural roadblocks to dealing with backlash in communities as libraries extend outreach and partnership-building goals.

Social Justice and Activism in Libraries

Social Justice and Activism in Libraries PDF

Author: Su Epstein

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2019-04-23

Total Pages: 229

ISBN-13: 1476672032

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In a rapidly changing world with myriad conflicting voices, the library's role as a place of safety and inclusion and as a repository of knowledge cannot be overstated. Librarians must serve as community leaders with a mission to educate and inform, ready to model the principles they support. The question for many is: how? Experienced librarians offer ideas and guidance in seeking new creative paths, working to support change in library organizations and reexamining principles that may be taken for granted. Theoretical foundations are discussed, along with practical ideas such as the creation a book groups for the intellectually disabled and partnership with social workers or advocates for employees with disabilities.

Libraries and the Global Retreat of Democracy

Libraries and the Global Retreat of Democracy PDF

Author: Natalie Greene Taylor

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing

Published: 2021-11-04

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13: 1839825960

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Libraries and the Global Retreat of Democracy focuses on how libraries coordinate their work in political and information literacy and how these efforts can be improved, the recommendations and examples within which will serve as inspiration and motivation to its readers.

Equity and Excellence in the Public Library

Equity and Excellence in the Public Library PDF

Author: Bob Usherwood

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-05-23

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13: 1317141822

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This important volume by one of the leading scholars in the field examines and discusses how library professionals can meet the demands of policy makers to open up the public library system without destroying its values. Based on a critical literature review, a survey of library professionals and consultations with other stakeholders, the book discusses the challenges involved in providing a service that prioritizes equity and social inclusion while at the same time attempting to promote and maintain quality, excellence and ethical standards. In assessing how those responsible for public libraries around the world go about this task the author advocates a service that is sensitive to difference and seeks to provide access to the best.