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The issue of providing essential services to a changing population – especially in an era of tight budgets – is
one that requires careful thought, planning and creativity. A methodical analysis of the community, and the inclusion of its
representative members in the planning process, will be necessary to fashion a practical strategy to serve the library’s
needs not just today, but into the future.
Hiring staff that is more reflective of the community’s ethnic variety is a worthwhile goal, but for the moment may
not be economically feasible or even possible - especially given the sheer number of languages that are represented. The library
profession already faces a dearth of ethnic diversity, and while more aggressive recruitment of minorities to the field may
improve the situation in time, it will not resolve the problem many libraries face right now. With a rapidly changing ethnic
population the library may even find itself in the untenable position of replacing staff with merry-go-round regularity. What
about disabled populations? Should the staff include someone fluent in sign language, for example? Even if limitless resources
were available (highly unlikely these days), simply pouring money into expanding staff and materials is not a viable long-term
solution.
The acquisition of materials in many languages is also a commendable goal, and one that the library may be in a position to
work towards. However, this objective must also be approached with deliberation and careful planning. What languages will
be included in future acquisitions? How much funding should be set aside? Will monies come out of the present budget, or
is there an alternate source of funds? Which types of materials should be purchased? Who will determine the best materials
to include for each language represented? These and other complex issues must be considered before any progress can be made.
What, then, is the best possible solution to the problem of change?
To begin with, librarians must have a clear and current understanding of community needs: what are the current and projected
demographics? What services does the library provide, and what services are needed? Are there any agencies that currently
serve identified needs, or with whom the library may collaborate? What can the community itself contribute to the development
and improvement of services?
The library might try a kind of “Get Acquainted @ Your Library” social event. Advertise by radio, newspaper, town
crier – get the word out through local schools, churches and community organizations. Solicit the support of local businesses.
Have library staff on hand to answer questions, survey citizens, make connections with leaders throughout the community. Get
to know the residents, and let them get to know what their public library has to offer - and what it needs to serve the community
well. Garner the interest and support of citizens, and the library can repay that support in programs and services.
One option would be to institute an active volunteer program in partnership with members of ethnic groups in the community,
recruiting volunteers to translate, to act as advisers for alternate-language materials, or to conduct mutual ‘language
exchange’ classes - not just to teach English, but also to teach other languages to staff. Learning even a few words
of Thai or Spanish or Russian can establish a connection, a sense of equality and empathy that is otherwise simply unattainable.
While a volunteer program is not the only answer to myriad problems, it can be an effective means for both the library and
the community to reap the enormous benefits of cooperation. The public is invested in its library, and the participation of
people from diverse backgrounds creates a stronger community – with a vibrant library at its center.
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