1.
developing collections that support existing literacy programs and
actively promoting the services of those programs; 
In 2000, 38% of the participants in federally funded adult programs were English language learners (U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education, 2001). Many such programs have waiting lists, and programs of all kinds are expanding to serve the needs of adult English language learners. Public libraries, historically active in their support for literacy, have been increasing resources and programs to meet the literacy needs of immigrant adults and their families (American Library Association Office for Literacy and Outreach Services [ALA/OLOS], 2001; Constantino, 1998).
This digest summarizes the history of public libraries and library literacy programs; describes current delivery models; and discusses initiatives in library literacy, profiling one successful public library program that serves adult English language learners and their families.
1.
developing collections that support existing literacy programs and
actively promoting the services of those programs;
2. partnering
with existing literacy programs by providing space and referring
patrons to program services; and
3. providing literacy programs
either in their own buildings or nearby.
* In the 1980s, with the arrival of Vietnamese and
Cuban refugees in Arlington County, ACPL added small collections of
materials in Vietnamese, Spanish, and English for nonnative
speakers. Today these collections have expanded to reflect the
languages and cultures of all of Arlington's diverse
neighborhoods.
* In the early 1990s, ACPL established connections
with local agencies working with immigrants. The library launched an
adult new readers' book discussion program with help from teachers
in Arlington Education and Employment Program (REEP). The discussion
groups continue to meet at two locations. Funding is provided by the
Southland Corporation and the Friends of Arlington County Public
Library, a nonprofit local group that raises funds for the library
system.
* In the mid 1990s, ACPL launched satellite collections
and weekly story times at four of the county's Bilingual Outreach
Centers. The Centers, located in apartment complexes with large
immigrant populations, were established by the county to assist with
adjustment to life in a new culture. The programs, collections, and
services at the Centers acquaint immigrants with the services
available through the library system. Initially funded with grants
from the Virginia State Library, the U.S. Department of Education,
Community Development Block Grants and Friends of the Library, the
Outreach Centers' libraries are now funded by ACPL's operating
budget.
* In the late 1990s, the library director convened a
summit to examine services to the rapidly increasing immigrant
community. Advisors ranged from the coordinator of the Queens Public
Library New Americans Program to local community leaders. A work
group was charged with developing an organized program of services
for the immigrant community. One of its outcomes was a welcome
brochure that explains library terms in clear, everyday English.
*
In 2000, a "CyberCenter" computer learning lab was instituted at a
library branch in a neighborhood with a large immigrant population.
Grant funding provided computer equipment for the lab, staffed
primarily by a coordinator and volunteers. In its first year of
operation, CyberCenter served over 12,000 users. With funding from
the Gates Foundation, a CyberCenter at the Central Library opened in
June 2001.
* Young Adult Services' library staff work with the
county schools. Two middle schools host library-sponsored discussion
groups for immigrant learners. Staff make presentations to parent
groups at schools with diverse populations and have hosted "family
evenings" at the library for Spanish-language parent groups, where
stories in Spanish and potluck dinners provide a festive
atmosphere.
* ACPL staff reflect the community they serve. The
library recruits, hires, and promotes staff from various ethnic and
cultural backgrounds. Bilingual staff members wear badges
printed (in the specific language) with "I speak Spanish," "I speak
Amharic," "I speak Vietnamese," and so forth. CONCLUSION Public
libraries have changed throughout U.S. history to become
increasingly inclusive of the communities they serve. The efforts of
the American Library Association, granting institutions, and local
libraries are helping to address the complex literacy needs of adult
English language learners and their families. Arlington County
Public Library's long-term plan of working with local partners and
shifting available, stable resources to meet and sustain the needs
of immigrant learners is a promising model for communities
throughout the United States.
American Library Association Office for Literacy and Outreach Services. (2000, June). "The American Library Association Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) 3rd Annual Diversity Fair". Chicago: Author. http://www.ala.org/olos/divfair/2000divfair.html
Arlington Public Schools. (2001)."Student demographics". Arlington, VA: Author. http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/demog/
California State Library & Library of California. (2001, March). Partnerships for change expands original program. "Connection". [Web newsletter] http://www.library.ca.gov/newsletter/2001/CSL_Connection_Mar01.pdf
Comings, J. T., & Cuban, S. (2000). "So I made up my mind: Introducing a study of adult learner persistence in library literacy programs". New York: Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds. http://www.mdrc.org/Reports2000/MDRCLibLit.pdf
Constantino, R. (Ed.). (1998). "Literacy, access, and libraries among the language minority population". Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.
Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. (2001). Libraries and literacy: A natural partnership. "Focus: Adult Literacy". New York: Author. http://www.wallacefunds.org/publications/pub_lit/lib.htm
Schuchat, T. (1985). "The library book". Seattle, WA: Madrona Press.
Shera, J. H. (1965). "Foundations of the public library: The origins of the public library movement in New England 1629-1855". North Haven, CT: Shoe String Press.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2001). "Arlington County 2000 census demographic profile". Washington, DC: Author. http://www.co.arlington.va.us/census/arlington.pdf
U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education. (2001). "Adult education data and statistics". Washington, DC: Author. http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/datahome.html
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The National Center for ESL Literacy Education (NCLE) is operated by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) with funding from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), under Contract NO. ED-99-CO-0008. The opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily the positions or policies of ED. This document is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.
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