Bilingual Library Services

1
Bilingual Library Services

• Providing Spanish
• language services
• cuando no se habla español.

2
Background

• According to the latest Santa Clara County
  Childrens Report and data from the California
  Department of Education
• Less than half of Santa Clara County preschoolers
  are prepared for kindergarten.
• Two factors strongly associated with kindergarten
  readiness
• proficient in English
• exposed to frequent reading in the home 
• 54 of 3rd graders in the Morgan Hill Unified
  School District have below average reading
  proficiency.
• A childs reading level at the end of third
  grade has been found to be one of the strongest
  predictors for school success.

3
Demographics

• Approximately 20 of the Morgan Hill community
  identify themselves as speaking Spanish as a
  first language. 
• Currently, 20 of the local student population is
  identified as English language learners, with a
  majority being Spanish-speakers.
• Last year, 173 children enrolled in kindergarten
  with English as a second language.

4
Libros Cuentos Para Todos

• Create and implement series of Spanish/English
  bilingual storytimes.
• Fund a bilingual librarian on a regular basis.
• Create or translate publicity that promotes
  library services to the Spanish speaking
  community.

5
Purpose

• Help prepare preschool-age children for
  kindergarten by introducing and practicing early
  literacy skills.
• Share the benefits of reading with children and
  their parents or caregivers.
• Increase awareness and use of library resources
  by English language learners.

6
Results

• Series of 12 bilingual storytimes held in the
  library.
• 80 children and their caregivers will have
  participated.
• 6 bilingual storytime kits created.
• 100 adults and their families will be served
  through Spanish language reference services.

7
Customers

• English language learner adults and their
  families with Spanish as a first language
• ELL children with Spanish as a first language
• Children and their caregivers

8
Progress

• Spanish language reference service was created.
• A bilingual librarian sponsored by our Friends
  group was hired to work one evening a week.
• 15-20 individuals visit the library weekly
  specifically for reference service in Spanish.
• 117 reference questions were answered in the
  first 7 months.
• Met with local agencies that provide services to
  target group to discuss community needs and
  collaborative opportunities.
• ESL class and their families were given an
  introductory tour of the library building and
  services.

9
Progress

• Bilingual storytime material was purchased,
  gathered or created.
• Spanish reader volunteers were recruited and
  trained.
• Publicity promoting bilingual storytimes, Spanish
  reference service, and other library services
  were translated in to Spanish and distributed to
  local agencies.
• 11 bilingual storytimes have been given to date.

10
Next Steps

• Continue bilingual storytimes on a regular,
  weekly basis.
• Provide bilingual storytimes off-site.
• Recruit more Spanish reader volunteers.
• Find new places and ways to promote library
  services to target group.
• Investigate starting a conversation club for
  English language learners.
• Work with other agencies to provide services to
  target group.

11
Success Measures

• ELL children will increase their early literacy
  skills, and therefore be better prepared for and
  successful in school.
• Increase in storytime attendance
• Families participate on a regular basis
• Increase in school readiness for ELL
  Kindergarteners in the service area.

89 increase
in storytime attendance since
it became bilingual.
12
Success Measurement

• Target group families will be introduced to
  library resources, and know where to go for their
  informational or entertainment needs.

• Significant increase in Spanish language
  materials circulation.

• Increase in use of Spanish language reference
  service.

30 increase
25 increase
13
Community Impact

• The library will be considered a valuable
  community resource and a destination among the
  target group because
• Our resources and services show we value and
  celebrate Latino culture.
• We provide resources relevant to their lives.
• Attending storytimes help improve their
  childrens early literacy skills.