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SERVING THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY : WILLINGBORO STYLE. Presenters: Paulette Doe-Williams Adult Services Librarian pdwillia@willingboro.org Sponsoring Group: Diversity and Outreach Section. WILLINGBORO, NJ. Located in Burlington County, South Jersey. WILLINGBORO, NJ. Population.
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SERVING THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY:WILLINGBORO STYLE Presenters: Paulette Doe-Williams Adult Services Librarian pdwillia@willingboro.org Sponsoring Group: Diversity and Outreach Section
WILLINGBORO, NJ • Located in Burlington County, South Jersey
WILLINGBORO, NJ Population • 31,587 (U. S. Census 2010) • White 17.2% • Black/African American 72.8% • Hispanic/Latino 8.7% • American Indian 0.4% • Asian 2%
WILLINGBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY WILLINGBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY Active Registration – 30,469
USA.COM Factfinder2.census.gov
Library African Outreach Committee • An African Outreach Committee was formed. • Committee included the assistant director, 1 librarian and 3 paraprofessionals • 3 Africans ( Ghana, Liberia and Ivory Coast) • Committee held several brainstorming meetings • A survey was developed as a result of the meetings
ACQUIRING INFORMATION PREPARED A SURVEY check marks or short answers no personal information List of programs you would like to see at the library What can Willingboro Library do to help you in your daily life
HOW WE IMPLEMENTED THE SURVEY At the Library In the community Committee members took signage and survey to churches, African business centers, other businesses that Africans visited regularly and neighborhood. • Signage inviting African immigrants to fill out survey • Staff took turns greeting people and asking if they would like to take the survey • Staff provided information and reasons for the survey
Survey Result Survey confirmed a substantial number of Africans in Willingboro and other towns use the library and were interested in having African programs and materials at the library.
FORMING THE LIBRARY AFRICAN ADVISORY BOARD Individuals and heads of organizations in the African community were invited to join the Library African Advisory Board.