Des Moines Register
O2/06/06
Libraries adapt to serve Latinos
Officials work to provide easier access, more selection
By DANA BOONE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Libraries in Des Moines, Perry and across the nation are trying to meet a growing
demand for Spanish-language books, programs and services and make it easier
for Latinos to obtain library cards.
Latino activists in Perry four months ago asked their library officials to increase
the number of books and materials in Spanish and consider changing the
identification requirements necessary for newcomers to obtain library cards.
"I think for some people who don't have IDs from the U.S. or a Social Security
card, you have completely limited their access," said Rosa Morales de Gonzalez
, who coordinates a literacy program for immigrant families.
Perry library officials responded by relaxing the requirements to get a library
card. Patrons don't need a driver's license or a Social Security card, but can now
use other forms of identification, such as a work ID card, officials said.
Similar changes have sparked controversy elsewhere. An Associated Press
report last fall said that some people were critical of efforts by the Denver, Colo.,
library system to reorganize some branches and emphasize bilingual services
and materials. Critics said the library shouldn't purchase new Spanish material at
the expense of bringing in new English material. Others said it was inappropriate
to spend money to serve a population that can include undocumented
immigrants.
Perry Library Director Donna Emmert said no one has complained about the
changes at the library. She said she believes the changes won't be controversial
because they make it easier for people to use the library.
Emmert said the library is working hard to meet the needs of the city's growing
Latino population and to encourage immigrants to use the library as a way to
help them adapt to the city.
"We're hoping to set a model for other areas where immigrants do move in," she
said.
The trend is happening elsewhere across the country as libraries try to improve
accessibility for Latinos, boost their collections and add bilingual staff, said Laura
Maldonado , president of the Washington, D.C., metro chapter of REFORMA, the
National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and
the Spanish-Speaking.
In Perry, before the policy change, undocumented immigrants lacked the forms
of identification that the library requested.
"The main goal is to get people in and yet still have some access to a location if
we need to call them and tell them we have some materials for them or if there's
an overdue book," Emmert said. "We do have to have some responsible way of
tracking our materials when they're out of the building."
Now, undocumented immigrants can use a Tyson pork processing plant ID card,
for example, to get library cards for themselves and family members, Emmert
said.
"If that one person in the family has some ID that's reasonable, then other family
members could attach to that and then have access to the library and be able to
use our materials," she said. "They could bring their children in and use the
library so they can all begin on literacy."
Des Moines' libraries require proof of address and a picture ID to obtain a library
card. The online application also asks for a Social Security or driver's license
number, but it's not required, officials said.
Carol Brey-Casiano , immediate past president of the American Library
Association and director of the El Paso Public Library in Texas, said libraries are
improving services to Latinos by allowing newcomers to obtain library cards with
alternate forms of identification, offering English as a second language classes
and adding Spanish-language materials.
"Many immigrants coming from other Spanish-speaking countries do not have
the kind of library tradition that we have," she said. "Part of our job as librarians is
to reach out and explain and invite them to come into the library."
Iowa's Hispanic population grew 26.2 percent, to an estimated 104,119, between
2000 and 2004, according to the latest Census data. Projections show the state's
Latino population will grow to 269,830 by 2030. Perry's Latino population also
has increased, from 47 people in 1990 to 1,873 counted in the 2000 census.
In Des Moines, Spanish-language materials are being moved to the front of the
library to improve access. Signs will be posted in Spanish, said Lorna Truck,
deputy library director.
Neither the Des Moines nor the Perry library has information about the libraries in
Spanish on its Web site.
Rosa Morales de Gonzalez , who works for Iowa State University Extension,
leads a storytelling program for immigrant families in Perry. She said the library
has done a good job of adding more Spanish books and now has about 600
Spanish language titles. The children's section has been expanded.
"The kids get really interested in reading more books and spending more time
reading," she said.