Sunflower SOL: Outreach to Spanish Speaking

CommunitiesEmpowering Library Staff to

Reach Out to Spanish Speakers and Increase their

Access to Technology

April 10, 2008 Wichita

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Sunflower SOL

Goal

Increase the knowledge and skills of library staff to better serve the needs of Spanish speakers in their communities and increase the number of Spanish

speakers using public access computers and other library resources

and services.

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The Role of Public Libraries

• Libraries can play an important role in closing the gap in technology access between English and Spanish speakers, but doing so requires effective outreach to Hispanic/Latino communities.

• Effective Outreach involves:– Identifying the needs of the community and addressing the

needs through developed services– Making Spanish speakers aware of how the library can help

them improve their lives– Letting Spanish speakers know they are welcome in the

library and have access to all library resources– Delivering services as you understand different cultures

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Changing Landscape

Hispanic/Latinos now make up the largest minority in the US and the fastest growing segment of the population

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2004, “U.S. Interim Projections by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin.”

14%

86%

Hispanic/LatinoPopulation

Non-Hispanics

12.6 % 15.5% 17.8% 20.1% 22.3% 24.4%

2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

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Challenges Faced by the Hispanic/Latino

Population% OF POPULATION WITHOUT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

41

20

1411

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Hispanic Non-HispanicBlack

Non-HispanicAsian

White

Sources: “U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, Ethnicity and Ancestry Statistics Branch, Population Division” and "Toward Equality of Access: the Role of Public Libraries in Addressing the Digital Divide"

EDUCATION

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Challenges Faced by the Hispanic/Latino

Population

Sources: “U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, Ethnicity and Ancestry Statistics Branch, Population Division” and "Toward Equality of Access: the Role of Public Libraries in Addressing the Digital Divide"

ECONOMICS PERCENT BELOW POVERTY LINE

22.520.7

8.2

0

5

10

15

20

25

Hispanics Non-Hispanic OtherMinorities

Non-Hispanic Whites

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Data Sets: Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data

CountyTotal

Population:

Hispanic or Latino (2000):

Hispanic or Latino (2006):

Percent Population Increase,

2000-2006 Speak Spanish:

Total Speak English "very

well" or "well"

Total Speak English

"not well" or "not at

all"Chase 3,030 49 89 82 27 17 10Clay 8,822 92 121 32 24 24 0Cloud 10,268 78 105 35 31 19 12Dickinson 19,344 429 606 41 137 117 20Douglas 99,962 3,146 4,222 34 1,159 1017 142Geary 27,947 2,400 1,915 -20 1,276 1106 170Harvey 32,869 2,629 3,138 19 1,294 1071 223Jackson 12,657 175 344 97 36 35 1Jefferson 18,426 163 311 91 60 43 17Jewell 3,791 33 24 -27 2 2 0Leavenworth 68,691 2,615 2,805 7 1,069 961 108Lincoln 3,578 30 84 180 1 1 0Lyon 35,935 6,068 7,011 16 4,033 2520 1513McPherson 29,554 473 641 36 82 76 6Marion 13,361 224 275 23 78 64 14Marshall 10,965 94 91 -3 35 30 5Mitchell 6,932 54 63 17 15 15 0Morris 6,104 175 206 18 69 61 8Nemaha 10,717 44 117 166 8 8 0Pottawatomie 18,209 332 474 43 116 112 4Reno 64,790 3,556 4,074 15 1,387 1110 277Republic 5,835 43 65 51 17 16 1Riley 62,843 2,989 3,133 5 1,416 1227 189Saline 53,597 3,197 4,123 29 1,751 1239 512Sedgwick 452,869 36,016 48,388 34 20,519 14068 6451Shawnee 169,871 12,142 14,713 21 4,561 3284 1277Wabaunsee 6,885 83 156 88 36 31 5Washington 6,483 46 79 72 25 8 17

English Ability in the Hispanic or Latino Population by County

Population Reported English Language Ability (2000)

8

9

Mexico

10

Central America/Caribbean

11

South America

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Experts in the Community/ Community Leaders

• Veronica Triana, Parent and Community Resource Specialist, USD 259

• Abel Perez, Executive Director, Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

• David Osio, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) Director of Immigration and Refugee Services for Catholic Charities

• Raquel Guzman-Vargas, FCP, Translator and Medical Interpreter

• Lorena Barboza, Director Language Learning Center (LLC), Modern Languages Department, KSU

• Marcelo Sabates, Associate Professor and Head of the Philosophy Department, KSU

• Jim Armendariz, Principal, Ogden Elementary School

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Service Success Principles

–Make no assumptions about what the community knows about the library or its services

–Establish trust and respect one person at a time/one day at a time

–Integrate the library into heart and soul of the community

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Suggested Outreach Activities List

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¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!