Library Services for Newcomers to Canada & USA: Programs Partnerships and Challenges

1. Library Services for Newcomers to Canada & USA: ProgramsPartnershipsand Challenges Fang Liu and AnnelieseDalmoro LIS 598 – Services for Special Populations

2. Presentation outline: • Background information • Library programs for newcomers • Examples and value of partnerships • Challenges

3. Thought provoking introduction Where to go? • Imagine you are moving abroad to live and work with your family. It is not necessarily only a move to develop your career but as much to challenge yourself in a new cultural and social setting. Upon settling, you receive a pamphlet introducing you to, among other things, what Democracy is….

4. Definition of Newcomers: • Immigrants who have completed their landing process and remain in the country. Usually immigrants are considered newcomers for 3 years after arrival. -Toronto Law Point

5. Some statistics – Immigration in Canada: • The 2006 Census identified more than 200 ethnic origins in Canada. • In 2008, Canada accepted 247,200 immigrants, representing a rate of 8 newcomers per 1,000 people. • Canada received 80,700 immigrants during the second quarter of 2010 • Most immigrants settle in Toronto, Montréal or Vancouver. Social networks and links with family and friends influence immigrants to choose a particular location. - Statistics Canada

6. CLA’s Library Services to Linguistic and Ethnic Minorities position statement • “The Canadian Library Association believes that:All citizens of Canada should have equitable access to library materials and services which will  meet their needs regardless of their language, cultural background or country of origin.” First CLA recomendation

7. What are the Newcomers’ immediate information needs?

8. Newcomers immediate information needs: (ctd) • Language information (e.g. translation and interpretation services) • Pre-immigration information • Employment information, such as job search skills • Housing information • Information about making connections in the community (e.g. professional associations, volunteer opportunities) • Information about new culture and orientation to ‘Canadian or American life’

9. What are the newcomers’ information needs after they have settled in?

10. Longer established information needs: • Health and employment information • Educational information • Political information and current events • Language learning information (e.g. ESL) • Information about transportation • Information about identity construction • Information about culture/religious events

11. Programming

12. 1.1 Steps fordeveloping multicultural library programs • Developing and modifying the library mission statement and core values • Staff awareness and training • Learning about the community members • Program designing

13. Example: Toronto Public LibraryVision, Mission and Values statement • Vision "Our rich resources provide the opportunity for everyone to treasure the past and to create a future that is full of possibility.“  "The Library promotes and enriches the democratic, cultural, educational and economic life of our diverse and evolving City." • Mission "Toronto Public Library preserves and promotes universal access to a broad range of human knowledge, experience, information and ideas in a welcoming and supportive environment. “ • Value “Equity: Accessibility, diversity and fairness in the treatment of all individuals” “Participatory: Inclusive and involving in decision-making” “Respect: Valuing individual needs, experiences and differences”

14. 1.2 Library programs for newcomers • ESL programs • Computer literacy programs • Multilingual computer access • Community information workshops • Health, legal and immigration workshops • Cultural activities and holiday events • Cultural exchange • Resume and job workshops • Story time for kids • Book clubs • Family literacy • Online information for Newcomers (blogs)

15. 1.2 Library programs for newcomers (some examples) • Family literacy Four components are necessary for a true family literacy program: "parent education, child education, parent and child-together time, and parenting skills education" (Porter 2003, p. 47) . DeKalb County Public Library in Georgia.

16. 1.2 Library programs for newcomers (some examples) • ESL programs Halifax Public Library • Multilingual computer access The Central Rappahannock Regional Library in Virginia

17. 1.2 Library programs for newcomers (some examples) • Cultural exchange MetLife's Reading America program • Workshops on community resources Toronto Public Library

18. Library partnerships

19. Library Partnerships (ctd.)Stepsto develop partnerships: • Create a list/database of potential partners • Consider ways to advertise for partners • Research on partners’ mission/vision • Contact potential partners to evaluate their interest in partnering with the library

20. Library Partnerships (ctd.)Potential library partners: • Government agencies • Community-based organizations • Organizations that work with specific immigrant groups • Adult education providers and English language • Universities colleges • Faith-based organizations

21. Library Partnerships (ctd.)Resources partners can provide: • Access to community information demographics, needs assessments, surveys, etc. • Translation assistance • Teachers for ESL or citizenship programs • Donated materials and equipment • Transportation assistance • Childcare • Legal advice • Tutors and storytellers • Assistance with grant applications, Financial support.

22. Examples of successful North-American partnerships:

23. Library Partnerships (ctd.) • EPL provides Settlement Services at the library – partnership the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) • Program services include a wide range of activities and information provision.

24. Library Partnerships (ctd.) • EPL provides the English Conversation Circle (LACE Program) - For newcomers who  want to practise their English. English Conversation Circle is part of Catholic Social Services Learning and Community Enrichment (LACE) program.

25. Library Partnerships (ctd.) • In United States, Queens Borough Public Library held a program on health issues in partnership with the Queens Health Network • The library provided health information in Spanish • Queens – The most ethnically diverse county in USA.

26. Library Partnerships (ctd.) • Skilled Immigrant Infocentre: Provides information on how get a job in their field of education and experience. (VPL service)

27. Library Partnerships (ctd.) • Partnership between “The Library Settlement Partnerships Program(LSP)” in Ontario and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) – Provide Settlement services for newcomers.

28. Challenges

29. Challenges of providing library services to Newcomers • Budgetary concerns • Hiring qualified librarians • Technical support • Understanding from the public

30. 3.1 Staff hiring challenges • Overcrowded job description • Lack of qualifications • Lack of power in the position -Mestre Lori: Librarians serving diverse populations

31. Technical support for multilingual online chat reference service • The portal issues For the pictographic languages (Chinese, Japanese and Korean) require different word processing software and online chat software supporting the display of these languages. Hello HelloHello 你 好 こんにちは 안녕하세요 nihaoko n ni chi wa a ni a se ou

32. Understanding from the mainstream public • Case studies on Mexican immigrants in rural areas of the US • “One penny is one penny too much.” • a fear that tax dollars might be benefiting illegal immigrants • a fear that the cultural aspects of their small towns and rural lifestyle will be permanently and drastically altered • Bilingual library collections contribute to a divided America (Julie Stephens)

33. Questions?