Bridging Cultural Gaps: Serving Children in Diverse Communities

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Bridging Cultural Gaps Serving Children in
Diverse Communities

• Reaching Forward 2009
• Medjo-Me-Zengue Chris

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We build too many walls, and not enough
bridges. -Sir Isaac Newton
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23 of children in Illinois (ages 5 to 17) speak
a language other than English at home.

• http//www.kidscount.org
• Data Source U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000
  Supplementary Survey, 2001 Supplementary Survey,
  2002 through 2007 American Community Survey.

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Illinois At a Glance

• Hispanic Population 1,923,000
• Hispanics as Percent of State Population 15
• Median Age of Hispanics 26
• Median Income, Hispanics (16) 22,363
• Poverty Rate, Hispanics 17 and Younger 20
• Hispanic Homeownership 60
• Hispanics as Percent of all K-12 Students 19

Data Source Pew Hispanic Center, 2009
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Illinois At a Glance

• White 1,282,320 44.3     
• Black/African American 1,084,221 37.4 
  
• American Indian/Alaska Native 20,898 0.7 
• Asian 140,517 4.9    
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
  4,61 0.2 
• Some other race 452,2551 5.6
• Source U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000

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According to the US Census Bureau, about
1-in-every-3 U.S. residents is part of a group
other than single-race non-Hispanic white.
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Library Programming

• Traditional Method
• Programs for children
• Teen Programs
• Adult Programs

• Preferred Methods
• Family Programs
• Simultaneous Programming
• Something for Everyone!

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Library Programming

• Partner with other local agencies serving diverse
  populations.
• Breaking bread to establish trust
• Be prepared to adjust for cultural differences.

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Diversity is the one true thing we all have in
common. Celebrate it every day.
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Whats in your collection?

• Material for children in their native language
• Original sources vs. translations
• Materials that help perpetuate other cultures

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Whats in your collection?

• Beyond Ingles Sin Barreras
• Ask for suggestions
• Multicultural Books and Videos
• Phone [phone]
• http//multiculturalbooksandvideos.com
• e-mail service_at_multiculbv.com

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Serving Parents with limited(or no) English
proficiency

• Ensure the parent maintains his or her dignity
• Ensure they know you are not the INS and dont
  care about anything but serving their library
  needs.
• Constantly market what your library can offer.

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Serving Parents with limited(or no) English
proficiency

• Know who your patrons are
• Learn about their culture
• Study geography
• Learn to communicate effectively
• Translating materials/ web site
• Non-traditional advertising
• Neighborhood outreach
• Library Lady/Dude

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Serving Ethnic Children

• Partner with local schools and organizations
• Offer authentic ethnic programming
• Offer classical American program themes

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Serving Ethnic Children

• Be prepared to explain library services
• Flexibility is essential
• Take a walk in their shoes

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America Melting Pot or Tossed Salad?

• Assimilation vs. Integration
• Things may not be as they appear
• Different ? Inferior

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Rain beats a leopard's skin, but it does not
wash out the spots. -Ashanti proverb
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Does your Library Build Bridges?

• Who comes for Chinese New Year?
• What is Cinco De Mayo?
• Do you host programs outside the library?
• Is your building a community gathering place?

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DISCLAIMER

• Thank you for coming and participating today.
• Medjo-Me-Zengue Chris
• cmedjo_at_hotmail.com
• tel [phone]