Serving Non-English Speakers in U.S. Public Libraries

American Library Association (ALA) study provides new information about library services and programs developed for non-English speakers, including effectiveness of services, barriers to library use, most frequently used services and most success library programs by language served.
http://www.ala.org/ala/olos/nonenglishspeakers/

The American Dream Starts @ Your Library TOOLKIT!

Great new toolkit http://www.americandreamtoolkit.org/
is now available and sponsored by the ALA and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The toolkit offers tools, resources, models and examples with a
focus on services to immigrants to the USA.

"For generations, the public library has been the cornerstone of the American dream. The library collects the heritage of the American past and shapes the promise of the future. The library also helps immigrants hold on to their native words and customs so that they can tell their stories, preserve their culture, and share their wisdom across generations"

Congratulations to all who contributed!

The toolkit was done in conjunction with ALA President Loriene Roy's Platform component: The Circle of Literacy - which includes reaching out to immigrants in the USA and around the world, indigenous youth, and the incarcerated.

Crossword Puzzle

Here is the crossword puzzle that Narda came up with. I'll get it uploaded to the website soon.
Kit

Gathering of Readers Crossword Puzzle

Dear friends,
Here are some clues and answers for a possible Jingle Dancer crossword puzzle. Is there any way that this could be put on the Gathering website? If you have more clues and answers please feel free to add them!
Thank you,
Narda

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Jingle Dancer – Crossword Puzzle -- Answers & Questions

Tink What sound do the jingles make?
Powwow Where will Jenna dance?
Moccasins What type of shoes does Jenna wear to the dance?
Four How many rows of jingles does Jenna need for her dress?
Bat What animal did great-aunt Sis tell Jenna a story about?
Ball Game What type of game did the animal win?
Fry Bread What type of food will Mrs. Scott be making at the powwow?
Brum What sound does the drum make?
Regalia What is the word for the highly valued clothing and accessories of a dancer?
Autumn What time of year is it in the story?
Lawyer What type of job does Jenna’s cousin Elizabeth have?

Gathering of Readers Contest

Dear friends,
Here are some "rules" and an announcement for our contest. Please look them over and suggest changes!
Thanks to everyone,
Narda
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The “Gathering of Readers” is pleased to announce a Reading Contest for students in all grades from participating schools. The Reading Contest is offered to students in three levels: Level I is for students in grades Kindergarten through 3; Level II is for students in grades 4 through 7; and Level III is for students in grades 8 through 12.

Members of the Circle of Literacy Task Force will choose winners for each level at each participating school. Each winning student will receive a bag of books and writing supplies as prizes. Each winning student’s work will be published on the “Gathering of Readers” website. All participating students will receive a certificate of merit and a gift.

Level I: Grades Kindergarten through 3
Art Contest:
Students will draw a scene from their favorite book. Drawings should be no larger than 8.5 inches x 14 inches. Students may use crayons, pencils, magic markers, pens or any other medium they like. Drawings may be decorated with scraps of fabric, buttons, lace, etc. Students should include a caption describing the scene they have drawn at the bottom of their picture.
Drawings will be judged on: originality, use of details from the book being depicted and accurate description of the scene being drawn.


Level II: Grades 4 through 7. Write a letter of 250 – 500 words.
Level III: Grades 8 through 12. Write a letter of 500 – 750 words.
Letter Writing Contest:
Students will write a letter addressed to an author (living or deceased) of a book they have recently read and about which they have strong feelings. Students should tell the author how reading their book (include the book’s title) has changed the way they think about themselves and/or the world around them. They should explain how the book affected them. Here are some tips students can use for writing an effective letter:
Do not summarize the plot of the book! Remember, a letter is a correspondence between you and the author not a book report/review.
Avoid the temptation to compliment instead of correspond.
Do include questions that you might want to ask the author about his/her book.
Look for ways to get the reader's attention in your letter.

Each letter should include the student’s name and school address in the upper left corner of the first page of the letter. Letters should be typed or printed using ink (no pencil). Letters must be legible. Illegible letters will be disqualified.

Letters will be judged on : content and organization; originality and expression; and grammatical correctness.

Contest deadline: ???

FERGUSON LIBRARY BLOG IN SPANISH

This blog has regional/national issues posted. Also you can find helpful links to ESL sites and valuable information about what immigrants can do when faced with raids from the US immigration department...
http://fergusonblog.org/spanishblog/
Also check out their webpage "Serving Stamford's Multilingual Community" where you can find Fergurson blog for New Americans and other interesting links...
http://www.fergusonlibrary.org/mult_languages/wlang.htm

San Diego County Library and CA Native Americans

San Diego County Library's webpage acknowledges the presence of California nations in the state. I saw a posting on the California Library Association CALIX distribution list recently and it highlighted the SDCL page for Native American Day which is the fourth Friday of every September in California.
http://www.sdcl.org/NativeAmericanDay.html
The Four Directions Institute looked interesting to me in that it has a page which highlights the languages of many California nations - so relevant to non-traditionial forms of "literacy" i.e. the oral tradition.
http://www.fourdir.com/california_indians_index.htm
and the library site has links to 8 California tribal websites
There are other resources and links.
San Diego County Library seems to be in sync with ALA President Roy's platform on Celebrating Community, Collaboration, and Culture!
Have fun looking it over!

Thanks to SDCL Polly Cipparrone for posting on the CALIX list.

DIVERSITY COOKBOOK

Webjuction has posted information about a very interesting online database developed by librarians at the Ocean County Library, The Diversity Cookbook. Focus Communities include African American/Black, American Indian, Asian American/Asian/Pacific Islander, Differently Abled, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered, Hispanic/Latino, Multiracial/Interracial, Other, Religious Diversity, Staff, or Women.
http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=17879