BRIDGING THE GAP: Library Services to Latinos

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BRIDGING THE GAP Library Services to Latinos

• Kathryn Ames, Library Director
• Clare Auwarter, Public Services
• Miguel Vicente, Pinewoods Manager

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Georgia Tops Nation in Hispanic Growth
We are a nation of immigrants who have always
contributed ambition, creativity and cultural
zest to our society. (Kiplinger
Newsletter) Mexican immigrants are not here for
free services. They are here to work. They take
the jobs no one else wants. As with all
immigrants, they have more pizzazz and are more
dynamic than those who have never taken a risk.
(UGA Prof. Doug Bachtel)
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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The Beginning

• Story Hours in Spanish
• Film and Discussion Series
• Special Programs During the Summer
• Requests for Materials in Spanish Increased
• Interest in Special Events Increased
• Attendance at Programs Increased

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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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From This Beginning

• Form partnership with Lyndon House Arts Center
• Talk to community members
• Use the PLA Planning Process to gather input and
  plan services
• Form an Advisory Board
• IMLS National Leadership Grant meant a new way of
  life!
• Plan the Pinewoods Library and Learning Center

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Challenges to Library Use

• Immigrants tend to be unfamiliar with public
  libraries.
• 2. There is mistrust of government agencies.
• 3. Libraries present barriers to use with
  registration
• requirements, etc.
• There are transportation issues.
• New immigrants may have very low language skills.
• There are significant cultural differences.
• 7. Money, or lack of it

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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GOAL 1 Improve Educational Levels
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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A Regular Day at Pinewoods
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Plaza Comunitaria Program
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Art Classes
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Music Classes
For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Health Seminars
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Club Hero
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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ESL and Computer Classes
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Guest Speakers
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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GOAL 2 Increase Use of Facilities
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Statistics 2005 2007

• Library Cards Issued 151
• Circulation 2,121
• Patron Door Counts 2,857
• Computer Users 1,795
• Childrens Programs 62
• Program Attendance 1,680
• Volunteers
• Volunteer Hours

• 381
• 17,933
• 31,662
• 19,244
• 527
• 9,352
• 1,180
• 2,820

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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Establish an Advisory Board

• Board composed of 20 community resource people
• Assist with program development and
  implementation
• Volunteer for project work and recruit other
  volunteers
• Grassroots advocacy promote the pilot project
  in the community
• Encourage participation by Spanish speakers and
  English speakers alike
• Explore fundraising opportunities

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Members of Advisory Board

• University of Georgia
• Business community
• Police
• Legal Aid Clinic
• Health District
• Leisure Services
• Interested citizens

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Increase and Improve Spanish Language Resources

• ALA Freepass Program Guadalajara Book Fair
• Baker Taylor
• Lectorum

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Provide Spanish Instruction

• Six week Beginners Spanish for staff
• Survival Spanish class
• Spanish class at Pinewoods

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Provide In-House Programming to Attract Broad
Audience

• Mariachi and Marimba bands
• La Feria and La Fiesta
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• El Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead
• Korean Night

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Assistance Provided By

• Georgia Humanities Council
• Georgia Council for the Arts
• Friends of the Library
• Lyndon House Arts Foundation
• And our very own Event Planner

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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GOAL 3 Cultural Educational Exchange
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Casa de la Cultura
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Art Exhibitions

• Colors and Forms Modern Printmaking from Mexico

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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Artist Exchange

• Fernando Meza and Bertha Murrieta

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Xalapa Public Library Palofaxiana Library
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Museo Frida Kahlo
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Family to Family
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on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Family to Family
For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Lessons Learned

• Pinewoods Library Learning Center has become
  hub of information about programs services for
  Latinos
• Essential to document everything!
• New ways of delivering information to the
  community
• Personnel changes impact programming

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Lessons Learned, continued

• Evaluation should be on-going from the very
  beginning
• Define the role of the Advisory Committee clearly
• Plaza Comunitaria is an excellent program but
  only one component
• Expect people to want to partner, but beware of
  motives!

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.
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Lessons Learned, continued

• Local sustainability is difficult in poor
  economic timeseveryone loves it, but few want to
  pay for it!
• Staff language skills classes are difficult
• Travel is definitely worthwhile
• Not everyone does what they say they will
• Be prepared for success!
• CELEBRATE!

For phone access, dial 1.866.915.8780 and click
on the phone icon for your unique pin.