L bc publiclibrary ‘check Ie out Languoge Access Fact Sheet What do the acronyms LEP and NEP stand for? ‘© LEP stands for Limited English Proficiency ‘+ NEP stands for No English Proficiency These are the preferred terms for referring to individuals who are learning or cannot speak English What is the Language Access Act? The Language Access Act became a law in 2004 by Mayor Anthony Willams. It affects all DC agencies including independent agencies lke the library. The Act holds agencies ‘accountable for providing equel access to and participation in programs, activities, and services for limited and no English proficient residents and businesses of the District, Constituents and visitors to the nation's capital The act requires that DOPL: Collects data to ascertain needs of LEP populations Works to increase staff with bilingual skills Provides critical decuments in needed languages Provides oral translation service onsite and over the telephone Actively reaches out to the LEP population Each agency submits a biennial plan and quarterly reports on their progress on these ‘issues. The agency plan's updated and formalized every two years. Who ensures that District agencies are complying with the Act? The DC Office of Human Rights (OHR). OHR is located at 441 4 St, NW Suite S7ON, Washington, DC 20001 + Phone: (202) 727-4559 © Email: waw chr de.gor Document #10 1 ‘Board of Library Trustees Meeting July 22, 2009)Into what languages dees the Library translate information, and why? “Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese --These are the top 6 languages used by LEP/NEP residents in DC according to the 2000 US Census. What documents are currently available in the recommended languages? DCPL has the following critical documents in the core languages: ‘© Guide to your Library Card + Behavior guideline bookmark + Glossary of library terms for New Americans + Customer Service Survey (Other documents and forms are translated into individual languages as needed. Who does the translations? CPL uses companies that have been vetted by the ObIR Language Access Program. How can I get a document translated? Contact DCPL's Language Access Coordinator. What data is currently collected on DCPL LEP customers? Monthly, a report is generated showing how many customers have registered for: new brary cards and listed a language other than English being primarily spoken in the home. The report is compiled and submitted as part of the Library's quarterly report. Preferred languages of DCPL customers are also picked up on the library's annual customer service survey. What is Language Line Services? Language Line Services (LLS) is a private company that provides interpretation in over 140 languages via telephone. DCPL staff can use this service to assist LEP/NEP customers at ny point and time throughout the day. Contact the Language Access Coordinator if you do. rot have instructions in your office on how to use this service. Document #10 2 Board of Library Trustees Meeting July 22, 200004 sot, 2008 of 2004 was signed into tte The Actas the thos kind inthe ef san andscoand Gakland ca October 1, 2005 September 30,2006 ght disre Agences Phasedinto Implementation pn October, 2006- September 30,2008 September 30,2007 EigheDwictAgencer Tee Distt Phasedinto agentes Pasea mperentaton ro mplemenation 05 07 | ‘october 17,2005 Fit Language Access ‘Oversgh Hearing ‘october 1, 2304— September 20,2005, Foreign anguage Quality Project Commences