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In
This Issue:
• Feature Article: The Multicultural Library: How Librarians are Responding to the Needs of Ethnically Diverse Communities
• Language Lizard Update: Summer reading at the library!
• Product Review: That’s My Mum
• *Subscriber Special Offer*: Discount on That’s My Mum
• Lizard Recommends: Center for Applied Linguistics
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Language Lizard
Update
Dear Reader:
With summer approaching, many families will have more quality time with their children... enjoying the beach, having barbeques and hopefully spending time at home or at the library READING. Summer provides a great opportunity to practice language skills as well, especially for those with friends or relatives visiting from other countries.
The great news is that more and more librarians throughout the country are responding to the needs of their ethnic patrons and language learners. In our experience working with libraries, most of them strive to meet the needs of their diverse communities, and are very receptive to input and suggestions.
Our feature article outlines some creative ways librarians have been responding to the diversity in their communities. If you have not already visited your library and discussed your language interests, consider doing so. And feel free to share this newsletter or feature article with your local librarians. We are always happy to work with them directly to meet your community’s needs.
Happy reading!
Anneke Forzani
Founder and President
Language Lizard, LLC
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 Book Review: That’s My Mum
By Henriette Barkow. Illustrated by Derek Brazell
Ages 3-8
Review by Natalie Kunstadter
Both Kai and Mia look like their fathers, but not like their mothers. People always ask the two if they are with babysitters, when they are actually with their moms. The other children at school don’t believe Mia and Kai’s claims that the women are related to them, which the two find very upsetting. At first, they try to think of ways to look more like their mothers, but then they realize that they shouldn’t have to change. Finally, Mia and Kai find a creative way to tell the world, “That’s my mum!”
Derek Brazell’s beautiful illustrations give color to each page, to the delight of readers old and young. They also help give younger children a better understanding of the story’s dual messages of self-confidence and open-mindedness.
To access lessons and activities that use this book, see our "Understanding and Appreciating Cultural Differences" lesson plans at the following link: http://www.languagelizard.com/lessonplans.htm
That’s My Mum is a dual-language book available in English with translations in: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, Farsi, French, German, Gujarati, Italian, Panjabi, Polish, Portuguese, Serbo-Croatian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba.
If you’re interested in purchasing this book, please visit the That’s My Mum webpage at: http://www.languagelizard.com/That_s_My_Mum_p/mum.htm.
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Special Subscriber Offer: 10% Discount on That’s My Mum
Through July 1, 2007 we are offering a 10% discount on That’s My Mum.
Simply apply Coupon Code CCS-MUM upon checkout to receive the discount.
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The Multicultural Library: How Librarians are Responding to the Needs of Ethnically Diverse Communities
by Anneke Forzani
According to 2005 Census data, over 12% of the US population is now foreign born and about 1 in 5 residents age 5 and older speak a language other than English at home. These figures are expected to increase, and are considerably higher in many areas of the country. Many new immigrants are struggling to learn English while maintaining their connection with their heritage language and country.
As the United States has become increasingly diverse, more and more librarians are implementing creative strategies to attract and meet the needs of their ethnic patrons. Many libraries have transformed themselves into centers of information and learning for the diverse community. Following is a list of innovative ways librarians are welcoming and attracting their ethnic populations:
- Presenting story times in various languages.
- Offering newspapers in multiple languages.
- Developing a collection of bilingual children’s books for language learners and families trying to teach a heritage language to their children. Patron feedback has been especially positive when librarians set aside a “bilingual book display area” instead of simply including the books in their stacks.
- Sponsoring/hosting English as a Second Language (ESL) classes or creating “literacy centers” to help adults learn English.
- Offering special programs, such as citizenship classes or cultural programs that highlight important ethnic holidays (e.g., Chinese New Year, E l Día de los Niños).
- Displaying colorful multilingual posters, and putting up signs in multiple languages.
- Carrying books that promote an acceptance of diversity, have multicultural themes and include illustrations of ethnically diverse characters.
- Accepting alternative forms of identification (such as a Matricula Consular from Mexico) and address verifications (such as utility bills and rent receipts) in order to increase access to the library. REFORMA, a national network of library organizations dedicated to promoting library services to the Spanish-speaking communities, suggests that this will help ensure that libraries serve the community regardless of a patron’s legal status.
- Hiring staff that speaks the language(s) of the immigrant communities (another recommendation by REFORMA).
For librarians just beginning to develop their programs and collections for ethnic patrons and language learners, here are a few recommendations to get started:
- Look up census data to determine which languages your library should support. The Modern Language Association offers a Language Map where users can find the number of speakers of each foreign language by zip code, city, county or state ( http://www.mla.org/map_main). The information also is available directly from http://www.census.gov.
- Conduct an informal (or formal) survey of patrons to find out which newspapers they would read and which language books are most in demand.
- Start with a small collection of children’s books and display them in a bilingual or foreign language book area. This will stimulate interest, and drive more patrons to share their own needs. It also will provide an opportunity to assess which books are checked out most.
- Post multilingual posters and/or signs to welcome all patrons.
- Ask around to see if there is a volunteer parent, board member or teacher who would be willing to conduct a bilingual or non-English story time.
Ethnic patrons truly appreciate when libraries increase their language holdings and offer services and programs to meet the needs of non-native-English speakers. Small, gradual steps to move forward in this area meet with great response, and establish libraries as true centers of learning for the entire community.
Anneke Forzani is President and Founder of Language Lizard, LLC.
© Anneke V. Forzani, Language Lizard, LLC. 2007
To see more articles and archived newsletters, please visit: http://www.languagelizard.com/newsresources.htm.
Want to use this article in your e-zine or web site? Contact Anneke Forzani at [email protected].
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A Favorite Quote
“Perhaps of all the creations of man language is the most astonishing.”
- Giles Sytton Strachey |
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About Language Lizard
Language Lizard, LLC aims to enrich children’s lives with language and culture. The Company believes that children will be inspired to learn languages and to connect with other cultures if they are exposed to fun and creative learning materials early in their lives.
Language Lizard currently offers award-winning dual-language children’s products in over 40 languages and complimentary multicultural lesson plans and activities. To find out more about our company and products, or to sign up for this complimentary e-newsletter, please visit http://www.LanguageLizard.com.
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Lizard Recommends
The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving communication through a better understanding of language and culture. Their website www.CAL.org offers a tremendous amount of research and resources in the fields of bilingual education, English as a second language, foreign language education and more.
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