The ESL Conversation Cafe: a public library program for Henrico County’s immigrant community

1. The ESL Conversation Cafe:a public library program for Henrico County’s immigrant community Steven Carter-Lovejoy and Kate McClory Henrico County Public Library

2. Purpose • Henrico County has many foreign born, non-native English speakers moving into the county • More than 11% of Henrico County residents are foreign-born • The Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) wanted to reach this underserved population Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

3. Concept HCPL developed the ESL Conversation Café as • a unique learning opportunity with meaningful impact to supplement traditional ESL classes • a program that can be sustained with reasonable resources (=cheap) • Minimal library staff with no ESL training using volunteers Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

4. Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

5. Description • Implemented on a monthly basis at 2 HCPL branches, beginning in 2010 Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

6. Henrico County’s Tuckahoe Library Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

7. Henrico County’s Dumbarton Library (R.I.P.) Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

8. Henrico County’s New Libbie Mill Library Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

9. Description We use volunteers and staff to facilitate conversations with non-native English speaking immigrants Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

10. Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

11. Description • Intended for participants with high-beginning to intermediate speaking ability • Dumbarton uses a registrationform – an initial interview using simple questions to assess a participant’s ability to converse Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

12. ESL Conversation Cafe Intake Form Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

13. Description • Email reminders to participants and volunteers • Provide light refreshments • Provide library tools to facilitate conversations including atlases, dictionaries and ipads Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

14. Description • Promote ESL learning tools such as language CDs and DVDs • Promote the county’s adult education and community ESL classes • Encourage participants to get library cards • Promote other library programs such as Book Discussions and Children’s Programs Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

15. Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

16. Description At Tuckahoe: • We establish separate tables of conversation each with 1-2 American volunteers and 1-5 immigrants • Conversations are free-form, and allowed to spin as they will (with volunteer guidance) • We encourage library tours following meeting Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

17. Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

18. Description • At Dumbarton we provide a more structured experience • We generally start together in a circle Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

19. Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

20. ESL Conversation Cafe Discussion Guide • Other topics include: • School • The Beach • Holidays • Pet Peeves Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

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22. ESL Conversation Cafe • Bingo Card • Topic: Halloween Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

23. “Life’s a Beach!” Discussion Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

24. Promotion • Typical library channels – in-library signs, library website, 3x/year program guide • Flyers widely distributed to • ESL programs in schoolsand churches • Ethnic markets & community centers • Flyer distribution assistance by volunteers and participants Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

25. ESL Conversation Cafe Typical Flyer (also provided in quarter-sheet format) Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

26. Results/success of program • Attendance averages 2-6 participants (up to 21), 1-3 volunteers • Who participates • Broad diversity, over 60 countries represented so far • Asia and Latin American most common, Europe and Africa also well-represented • Most are well-educated, but many exceptions • Both genders well-represented • Both regulars and one-timers •  Many speak only their native language with family at home Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

27. Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

28. Results/success of program • Recognition • Local media • Richmond Times Dispatch article • Henrico TV documentary • 2014 Awards from National Association of Counties & Virginia Association of Counties Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

29. Recognition Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

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32. Results/success of program • Heartwarming immigrant stories • Personal successes • Helping others/building community • Participation in other library programs • Rewarding for staff and volunteers Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

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