On 25 October 2014, I volunteered to assist the
Lexington County Public Library in their Dia de los Muertos (Day of the
Dead) celebration. It was held one
week early so that individuals could participate in their own celebrations
during the actual holidays. I had prepared
a series of questions for a librarian with the Lexington County Library system
as I had been granted an interview on that day. The event was a tremendous success, and the librarian was
unable to be interviewed because she was so busy. Michelle Williams, the librarian, graciously offered to answer
by emailed questions, and on Friday, 14 November, she returned the following:
1) How did Lexington County
Library Main Branch determine that there was a need for programming
specifically for Latino youth? Did someone use or develop a survey or
questioner to assess needs?
Our former Youth Services Coordinator
decided to start programming for the Hispanic community. She serves on
the board of First Steps and met Gigi Towers and Maria Arroyo, educators for
First Steps in Lexington who serve this community. They suggested our
first Feliz Navidad because they were homesick and knew their families were as
well and thought this was a good way for them all to come together and share the cultural
things they missed from home. Ellen also knew Ivette Villarreal who was
doing work in the Hispanic community and she too helped with the programs and
with translating materials. I do not know if a survey was done; most of
these families were non-library users who Gigi and Marie brought in.
2) What outreach programs,
and library services does this library employ to accommodate and service the
Latino population?
We expanded the bi-lingual events at
Lexington Main to include Dia de los Muertos and Pascqua. We also
attempted a bi-lingual Saturday Storytime for awhile, but lost the staff member
who spoke Spanish and had to discontinue this. We have often attended
open houses or parent’s night for the ESOL programs in our area schools to
speak about the library and its resources and programs. Other branches have had
bi-lingual events as well and we attempted one bi-lingual storytime on the
bookmobile. Cayce-West Columbia has an annual Die de los Ninos
celebration.
3) What percentage of library
customers is Latino?
I do not have that figure, but have
seen an increase of library users from this population. The children
often serve as translators. Several years ago Ellen worked to have our
applications and user information translated. We also have translation of
SR materials.
4) Do you have other tailored
programs for specific demographic populations such as the elderly? If
yes, what are they?
A few of our branches have senior
centers in walking distance and do offer programs specifically for these
groups. We also offer outreach computer classes using a mobile training
lab at some of the senior centers.
5) Do you have bilingual
staff?
Unfortunately not at this time.
6) How do you let the public
know about specific programs that you offer?
We create in-house fliers, utilize our
webpage, road signs at branches that have them, email distribution lists,
social media, in school promotions or speaking at chamber events, and
tv/newspaper.
