Hello,
I wanted to share an exciting program. Spring Institute of Intercultural Learning, SI, our partner for English as a Second Language, ESL, classes, wrote a $5,000 grant to Western Union for an Immigrant Integration Grant for incorporating Library Literacy into the ESL curriculum.
This pilot program will begin with the 8 ESL classes at Glendale and the Glendale Library staff.
SI has hired a reference librarian from DPL, who has also taught ESL classes for them for nearly 16 years, to write up the library literacy curriculum to add to the ESL curriculum with ALD input.
This pilot program began September 1, 2008 and runs through August 31, 2009.
Some parts include: Library Literacy training and library tours for ESL instructors
Pre/post surveys for students on library use and knowledge
Pre/post surveys for GL staff on comfort working with diverse patrons
ALD Lang Lib developing level appropriate library tours and library literacy
instruction
and more.
I will post updates and progress throughout the year on this wonderful partnership.
Cindy McFadden
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1 comment:
Library anxiety is common to a lot of people, but to immigrants the anxiety is on a much higher level. Oftentimes, library had not been a part of their life growing up. They are not aware of the variety of services libraries offer. More amazingly, the services are offered free. When I tell my immigrant friends what we do here at ALD, I expect to see their jaw dropping everytime. Language and culture barriers also keep immmigrants outside of the door of the libary.
Library literacy training is a great way to introduce libraries to immigrants. The immigrants will learn the basics about a library such as the physical layout, collection arrangement, access, and more importantly, they would find out that our librarians don't bite. In fact, they are eager to serve people.
Meanwhile, I think a well-developed foreign language collection and cultural sensitive staff are just as important. We open the door to this new group of patron and we want to make sure they keep coming back.
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