Culture StudyLI802Elaine ShelburneLibraries: Spreading the Word to ImmigrantsAs a child in Mexico, in a small town with no library, Brenda would look for books that neighbors would be willing to let her read. She learned to read in Spanishwhen she was five, and loved it. Until she moved to the U.S. at age 13, she would walk through the neighborhoods asking people if they had books that she could read. Some people had her clean their yards or do odd jobs, before they would let her borrow the book. Some wouldn’t let her take them from their houses.When she moved to the U.S. and attended Central Middle School, she didn’tknow that there was a library and doesn’t remember one. Because of not understandingEnglish, she didn’t understand if people did talk about it.She recommends that libraries don’t get books just on Mexican culture or specificLatino culture per se, but that the books are the ones that any high school kids like toread. If some can be in Spanish and in English, that would be good.Brenda thinks it’s crucial that immigrants know that libraries are available and arefree. The information could be in both languages—just so that people know that thelibrary is available. She recommends that libraries do the following:
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Hang posters that publicize the library and pertinent information.
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Create Bookmarks and hand out
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Celebrate reading (several times a year) through Teen Read Week or other designated times
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Involve Student body Officers at school to help publicize the library
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