Library Services for Immigrants and New Americans
Celebration and Integration
by Jennifer Koerber
May 2018, 181pp, 6 1/8x9 1/4
1 volume, Libraries Unlimited

Paperback: 978-1-4408-5877-2
$55, £43, 48€, A76
eBook Available: 978-1-4408-5878-9
Please contact your preferred eBook vendor for pricing.

In today’s changing political climate, immigrants and new Americans comprise a larger part of library patrons than ever before.

Wondering what your library can do for your community's immigrant population? This book is replete with resources, tips, and suggestions providing valuable guidance to librarians who want to better serve this still-growing part of America's population.

This up-to-date guide to developing and implementing a wide variety of services to immigrants and new Americans focuses on the practical steps of creating and promoting programs. Illustrated by success stories in libraries throughout the country, the book discusses both traditional (ESOL and citizenship classes) and transformative (legal aid and workforce development) programs and services in terms of size, type, and local political climate (e.g., sanctuary cities) at a variety of public libraries as well as in select school libraries.

As changes unfold in regard to how the federal government and local communities view and treat immigrants and new Americans in their midst, this topic deserves a fresh take from the profession. The author meets that need, providing practical ideas that range from creating more accessible websites and improving wayfaring and customer service in order to overcome cultural roadblocks to dealing with backlash in communities as libraries extend outreach and partnership-building goals.

Features

  • Outlines practical steps to take regardless of library size and type
  • Shares ideas for community outreach initiatives designed both to draw in program participants and to educate local-born residents about their new community members
  • Describes accessibility changes that are easily implementable and will help all users, including immi-grants and new Americans
Jennifer Koerber is a consultant, writer, and trainer working in the intersection of technology, everyday life, and libraries. She held a variety of roles during her 17 years at the Boston Public Library, and is currently the training project manager for Harvard Library's implementation of the Alma (Ex Libris) unified resource management system. Jennifer is co-author of Emerging Technologies: a Primer for Librarians (Rowman & Littlefield, May 2015, with Michael P. Sauers) and has written extensively for Library Journal on technology and public service in libraries.

Reviews

"Each chapter of the book provides lists of resources and Brainstorm Boxes to both provoke and inform the reader... A wonderful book that will assist any public library deliver a variety of programs and services that will be of real value to the immigrant and newcomer communities."—Public Library Quarterly, March 25, 2019
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