Best Practices

Services for Non-English-Speaking Patrons

[The New York Public Library, USA]
COS works closely with borough community outreach specialists and coordinates activities at eight Centers for Reading and Writing (which provide English as a Second Language and literacy services), the Aguilar Library’s Language Learning Center, and age-level selection committees for foreign language materials. The Donnell World Languages Collection includes permanent print materials in more than 80 languages. Their collection goal is to develop a parallel Dewey decimal collection in other languages, with the exception of scientific and technical materials and manuals. Donnell also coordinates the circuit collections, which provides materials to branches for three-month intervals. NYPL uses an annual statistical matrix for each branch to determine material allocations for permanent collections. This matrix includes census data; community needs information and ESL registration statistics. Planning and advocacy groups to gather information on the community for outreach purposes.

Source: Cultural Diversity. How Public Libraries Can Serve the Diversity in the Community (Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2004)

CONTACT
The New York Public Library
Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
New York, NY 10018, USA