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Library Services for Newcomers to Canada & USA:

ProgramsPartnershipsand Challenges

Fang Liu and Anneliese DalmoroLIS 598 – Services for Special Populations

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Presentation outline:

• Background information• Library programs for newcomers• Examples and value of partnerships• Challenges

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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….

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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

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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

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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

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What are the Newcomers’ immediate information needs?

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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’

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

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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

Programming

1.1 Steps for developing multicultural library programs

• Developing and modifying the library mission statement and core values

• Staff awareness and training • Learning about the community members• Program designing

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”

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)

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.

1.2 Library programs for newcomers (some examples)

• ESL programs Halifax Public Library

• Multilingual computer access The Central Rappahannock Regional Library in

Virginia

1.2 Library programs for newcomers (some examples)

• Cultural exchange MetLife's Reading America program

• Workshops on community resources Toronto Public Library

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Library partnerships

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Library Partnerships (ctd.)Steps to 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

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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

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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.

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Examples of successful North-American

partnerships:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Library Partnerships (ctd.)

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

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Library Partnerships (ctd.)

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

Challenges

Challenges of providing library services to Newcomers

• Budgetary concerns• Hiring qualified librarians • Technical support• Understanding from the public

3.1 Staff hiring challenges

• Overcrowded job description

• Lack of qualifications

• Lack of power in the position

-Mestre Lori: Librarians serving diverse populations

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 Hello Hello 你 好 こんにちは 안녕하세요 ni hao ko n ni chi wa a ni a se ou

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)

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Questions?