PRESENTS LANGUAGE, CULTURE, & INCLUSIVENESS: SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES

Presented by: Laura Bradshaw - Spanish Bilingual Library Assistant Glendy Folwick - Chinese Bilingual Clerk Deanna Kohn - Hillsdale Clerk Suad Mohamed - Somali Bilingual Library Assistant Patrick Provant - Supervisor

MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE SERVICES OVERVIEW

Presenter: Deanna Kohn Library Clerk

2 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Learning Objectives

This presentation will discuss:

• the history, mission, and goals of WSYL services • the communities Multnomah County Library serves • why these services are so important • ways staff engage and connect with patrons • examples of programs, events, and outreach

We want to share with you why MCL does this work and why you should too!

3 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY We Speak Your Language – Award Winning Services to Immigrants

4 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Our nation is becoming a rainbow nation

Picture by Neil Kramer

5 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Demographic Transformation

6 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Demographic Snapshot of our County

After English, the most spoken languages in our county are: • Spanish (8.5%) • Vietnamese (2%) • Chinese (1.5%) • Russian (1.2%) • African Languages (.6%) & (.2%) of all County residents are Somali 7 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY MCL Services Grow with the Community

In 1999 we had one Spanish speaking bilingual employee.

Today 72 bilingual staff work in 14 locations throughout our system

8 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY We Speak Your Language Mission:

Multnomah County Library connects immigrant communities to the information and resources they need to be successful in the United States. We engage people of all ages and cultural backgrounds with free opportunities and friendly guidance to help them learn English, build job and technology skills, prepare for citizenship and attain educational goals.

9 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Examples of Programs and Services

• Bilingual clerks, library assistants, and librarians • Books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and newspapers • Library card registration forms and informational brochures • Storytimes in 6 languages • Outreach to schools, day-cares, clinics, senior centers, and community events

10 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Our Impact All of this work has resulted in big increases in the way immigrants use our libraries.

Between FY2009 and FY2014 • Library card registrations: up 16% • Check out of material: up almost 53% • Reference questions: up 38% • Items in the collections: up 44% • Culturally appropriate programs: up 33%

11 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Serving the African American Community

Good in the Hood 2015

Black Storytime

12 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Award-winning Multilingual Web Site

13 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Interpretive Services

• Language Line: http://www.languageline.com/

• IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization - International Language Bank: http://ilb.irco.org/services/interpretation/

14 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Summer Reading Superheroes

15 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY SERVING THE SOMALI COMMUNITY

Presenter: Suad Mohamed Somali Bilingual Library Assistant

16 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Who are our Somali Patrons?

17 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Agenda

• Who I am and What I do at MCL • Brief History of Somalia • Background on Somali Culture • Basic Greetings • Growing Needs from the Somali Community • Somali Literature • Somali Programs Held at the library

18 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY 19 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY 20 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY History

• Geography: East Africa • Civil War: broke out in 1991 • Colonized by Great Britain & Italy • Government: Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed • Languages: Somali, (2009) Maay-Maay, & Arabic • The federal Republic of • Religion: Islam Somalia

• Culture: Nomadic • Health Issues: under development

21 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Current Affairs in Somalia

• Civil war still going on in the south. • Drought is at it’s worst in 60 years: act of nature • Famine: Caused by lack of governance & lack of action • Malnutrition caused by famine • Tribal Conflicts

22 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Somalis compared with Somali Bantus

• Somalis • Somali Bantus • Indigenous /Local • Minority ethnic group in Somalia • Dominant group • West African roots • Triblistic culture • Agriculture • Started coming to the U.S as early • Started coming to the U.S in 2003 as 1976 • Language Spoken: Af Maay, Af • Language Spoken: Somali & Arabic maxaa • 85% of the population • 5% of the population • Highly educated • Endured discrimination and • Well Established business driven subjugation in Somalia prior to the civil war • Collectively building new networks • Prolonged separations from loved locally & nationally ones • Prolonged separations from loved ones

23 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Somali Attire

24 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Attire continued

• Women wear long dresses and cover their hair for religious purposes.

• Pants are worn by some younger Somali women, but not elderly women.

• Men often wear typical everyday clothing. Jeans/Trousers and Shirt

25 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Hijaab

Burka/Cabaaya Hijab/head scarf

26 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Greetings In Somali

• Salaam • Peace

• Salama Aleikum • Peace be with you

• See Tahay? • How are you?

• Magaca? • What is your name?

• Barasha wanaagsan • Nice to meet you

• Subax wanaagsan • Good morning

• Galab wanaagsan • Good afternoon

27 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY What Somalis left behind

Refugee Camps Homes & Legacies

28 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Family Unit

• Average Somali family: 3-8

• Most come to the states as a nuclear family

• Some come separately and count on assistance from families and friends of the community

29 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Refugee Camps

Put in place to host refugees that fled the war and political prisoners that sought asylum

Locations: Kenya, Ethiopia: Djibouti: and other bordering African Countries

Conditions are so poor they don’t meet basic human needs

From here families start a process to make the extremely difficult journey to the Middle East, Europe, or the U.S

30 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Somali Immigrants in Portland • Displaced by the civil war • 8000+ Resettled in . Started coming to the U.S in the ‘70s • Experiencing difficulty balancing culture & adjusting to a new life style • Trauma caused by war • Severe stress due to resttlement • Culture shock

31 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

Practical Tips To Library Staff • Be inviting, and welcoming as we already are

• Smile. It’s the universal gesture of hospitality

• Offer to help as coming to the desk can be intimidating for those that may have language barriers

• Become informed about local organizations that have already been put in place to support the Somali community

• Be aware that some Somali families are on fixed incomes when assisting them with outstanding fees

• Should you encounter langauge barriers; get a translator on the phone as soon as you can

• Make the best use of time by establishing mutual understanding 32 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Common Reference Questions

• “Where Can I find English Learning DVDs?”

• “Where Can I find DVD’s Of people having basic conversations in English?”

• “I want to learn how to use the computer: Are there computer classes?”

• “Is there a Somali English dictionary?”

• “How do I find books?”

• “My Kids are doing project so and so, how do we find books related to said subjects?”

• “Where can I find help on housing, and electricity bills?”

33 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

Useful Library Material

• Living Languages: English for the real World • Living Languages: English for new Americans • Learning to speak English • Mango: Online source • Somali-English dictionaries • Children’s books in Somali

34 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

Living Languages Living Languages CD’s + handbooks CD’s +handbooks (For new Americans) (Everyday life)

Includes conversations Includes conversations like: like:

~Introductions ~Going to the doctors ~Asking for directions ~Going to the pharmacy ~Time & Date ~Social Services ~Grocery Shopping ~Reporting Crime ~Using the phone

35 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Somali Family Time as one of own teaching

36 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Somali Family Time

37 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Somali Support Organizations • IRCO: Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization • Somali bantu Community Organization of Oregon • Lutheran Community Services • Somali Service Providers Network (WA County) • Somali American Council of Oregon SACOO • Somali Bajuni Community Services coalition • Somali Youth Of Oregon • Center for intercultural Organization • African Woman’s Coalition 38 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY What I Hope To Do As A Bilingual LA • Reduce language barriers • Make Library resources available • Outreach: To adults, newcomers, and the youth • More Material in Somalia • Programs: Somali poetry & Open Space for programs chosen by the youth themselves • Workshops for Somali parents on basic computer skills (Somali Family Time, and Computer Classes)

39 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY CHINESE PROGRAMS

Presented by Glendy Folwick Chinese Bilingual Clerk Midland Library

40 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY My Family

41 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Chinese Collection

42 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY What if I can work in the library . . .

43 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Chinese Staff

44 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Citizenship Classes

45 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Chinese Computer Lab

46 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Chinese Story Time and the Moon Festival Celebration

47 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Lunar New Year

48 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Outreach at the Convention Center Chinese New Year Cultural Fair

49 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY SERVING THE LATINO COMMUNITY

Presenter: Laura Bradshaw Spanish Bilingual Library Assistant Fairview Library

50 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Biography

• Mexican • Bilingual and bicultural • Administrative and teaching background • Project Management Skills

51 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Fairview-Columbia Library

• Fairview Library is part of the East regional library group among other 3 locations • One of the smallest libraries in the system • Located in East County between Fairview and Wood Village Cities • 50% of the staff Spanish Bilingual - intentional staffing to expand outreach

52 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

My Position

Bilingual Reference WSYL Outreach Service

Spanish Programming Collection

53 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY The Latino Community We Serve

• 20% of the population in the city of Fairview and 39% of the population of Wood Village are of Hispanic heritage.

• Mostly composed by new immigrants and a small group of first and second Mexican-Americans.

• 80% are Mexicans and 20% are Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans.

• Characteristics: indigenous descendants, undocumented, strong family ties, low income, limited English, limited formal education, and strong cultural roots among others.

54 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Outreach and Programming Offsite

Elders: Book Club - twice a month

Lego Club - twice a month

55 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Storytime & book exchange

Every week

56 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Listos para el kínder

• Co-facilitate Listos para el kínder (Ready For Kindergarten) 12 sessions – Oregon Childhood Development Coalition partnership • Parents’ workshops • Summer Reading Program • Local outreach - drop off and post fliers • System Wide Outreach support (WIC, Baby Dental, Migrant Schools)

SRP Migrant Camp

57 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Programming Onsite

Family Craft Hour

Listos para el Kinder co - facilitator 12 sessions - 3 locations - 6 groups

58 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Resources for Spanish Speaker Patrons

• Spanish Bilingual Staff - 101 personalized help

• MCL website in Spanish (Mango Connect, tutor.com, Learning Express, Hoopla)

• Spanish Collection and periodicals

• Culturally specific programs for all ages

• Spanish Book Lists

• Technological appointments

59 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Resources and Support for Staff

• Cultural Awareness among the staff • Spanish Storytime wiki • Rescue Reference videos • LSTA website • Reforma

60 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY MANAGING WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE

Presented by Patrick Provant Supervisor Midland Library

61 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Technical Challenges

(Things that expertise can fix) The problem is clear, the solution is clear.

62 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY IRCO, the Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization = do you have a local equivalent?

63 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

Adaptive Challenges

Defining the problem requires learning.

The solution requires learning.

(Don’t forget all your stakeholders.)

64 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY KSA

A “Knowledge, Skills and Ability” requirement

65 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Who We Are Now

(Father’s Day 2014 at . Why were all these dads working?)

66 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Rescue Reference

67 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

We Speak Your Language Collections at the Midland Library

All along one wall, for almost the whole length of the building!

68 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Multilingual Website

69 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY 70 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Questions

71 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Resources

Pew Research Center’s report: The Next America http://www.pewresearch.org/next-america/ Book: The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown by Paul Taylor

Telephone Interpretive services: •Language Line: http://www.languageline.com/ •IRCO Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization - International Language Bank: http://ilb.irco.org/services/interpretation/

Multnomah County Library MyMCL translated pages: •Spanish https://multcolib.org/es •Vietnamese https://multcolib.org/vi •Russian https://multcolib.org/ru •Chinese https://multcolib.org/zh-hans

72 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY MyMCL Featured Languages booklists: https://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/explore/featured/languages

Multnomah County Library YouTube videos https://www.youtube.com/user/multcolib/playlists

Multnomah County Library Metro East Community Media videos about the library in Spanish https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvIKw8nBoJnz9wQekuB4DUiEHsMTlNq9H

Multnomah County Library Bilingual Storytime Wiki: http://mclbilingualstorytime.pbworks.com/w/page/11631841/FrontPage

Multnomah County Library Every Child Posters and Rhyme Books in multiple languages https://multcolib.org/every-child-birth-six/every-child-posters-and-rhyme-books

Article: Black Storytime Flourishing at Multnomah County Library by Lisa G. Kropp http://www.slj.com/2015/01/diversity/black-storytime-flourishing-at-multnomah-or-county- library/

73 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY We Need Diverse Books http://weneeddiversebooks.org/

Census Bureau American Community Survey data: http://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/data-profiles/

LSTA Library Services and Technology Act grants: http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/lsta.aspx

Reforma The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking: http://www.reforma.org/

74 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY Picture Credits

• http://www.pewresearch.org/next-america/#Two-Dramas-in-Slow-Motion

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/neilarmstrong2/5031148670/sizes/m/ - Picture by Neil Kramer

• www.banadirsoftware.com

• http://www.anh-usa.org/incandescent-light-bulb-ban-could-harm-your-health/ - Picture by Duncan Harris

• http://www.irco.org/who-we-are/

• https://www.flickr.com/photos/randstadcanada/7631076586

75 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY

Thank you

• Rita Jimenez, Neighborhood Libraries Director - [email protected]

• Laura Bradshaw, Fairview Spanish Bilingual Library Assistant - [email protected]

• Glendy Folwick, Midland Chinese Bilingual Clerk - [email protected]

• Deanna Kohn, Hillsdale Clerk - [email protected]

• Suad Mohamed, Capitol Hill Somali Bilingual Library Assistant [email protected]

• Patrick Provant - Midland Library Supervisor [email protected]

76 MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY