1 Cyberspace en Español Web Resources in Spanish Oregon Library Association Conference April 20, 2007 Speakers: Dee Goldman, McMinnville Public Library Lorie Vik, Eugene Public Library Laura Staley, WebJunction

2 Cyberspace en Español Web resources in Spanish OLA 2007 Lorie Vik – Eugene Public Library

3 Cyberspace en Español Web resources in Spanish OLA 2007 Lorie Vik – Eugene Public Library

4 Session Agenda –Case Study: McMinnville's experience with Computación Sin Barreras –Case Study: Computer Classes for Spanish speakers at Eugene Public Library –The Digital Divide and Making the Case for Serving Spanish Speakers –Library Technology Programs for Spanish Speakers –Resources for Working with Computers and Spanish Speakers –Questions and Answers

5 What is WebJunction? “An online community where library staff meet to share ideas, solve problems, take courses, and have fun.” support library staff with technology support and library development materials provide courses for online learning and professional development bring library community together in online discussions and programs, and for meeting in person when possible

6 Philosophy READ LEARN SHARE Community-driven approach Community contributes content and ideas Community editors, moderators and advocates

7 Spanish Language Outreach Pilot Partnership with 41 state libraries over 4 years Goals –Improve the knowledge and skills of local library staff toward outreach to Spanish- speaking residents, with the longer-term goals of: increasing the numbers of Spanish-speakers involved in public access computing at their local public libraries. increasing the number of activities directed at reaching Spanish-speaking residents

8 The Role of Public Libraries Libraries can play an important role in closing the gap in technology access between English and Spanish speakers, but doing so requires effective outreach to Hispanic/Latino communities. Effective Outreach involves: –Identifying the needs of the community and addressing the needs through developed services –Making Spanish speakers aware of how the library can help them improve their lives –Letting Spanish speakers know they are welcome in the library and have access to all library resources –Delivering services in a culturally responsive way

9 MAKING THE CASE “…in order to meet the changing and growing needs of our communities, it is becoming a basic service to reach out beyond our walls and make library services not only accessible but also relevant to diverse populations.” Serving Latino Communities: A How-To- Do-It Manual for Librarians By Camila Alire and Orlando Archibeque

10 Changing Landscape Hispanic/Latinos now comprise the largest minority group in the US and the fastest growing segment of the population Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2004, “U.S. Interim Projections by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin.”

11 The Digital Divide 56% of Hispanics go online in comparison to 71% of non-Hispanic whites Just one in three (32%) Latinos who speak only Spanish go online. 78% of Latinos who are English-dominant and 76% of bilingual Latinos use the internet (that is higher than the 71% of non-Hispanic white online Internet use is uniformly low for whites (32%), Hispanics (31%), and African Americans (25%) who have not completed high school Latinos are less likely than whites to have an internet connection at home. Just 29% of Latino adults have a broadband connection at home, compared with 43% of white adults Latinos Online Report:

12 Challenges Faced by Hispanic/Latino Population Education –27% of Hispanics/Latinos have less than a ninth grade education compared with only 4% of non- Hispanic whites. Language –75% of Hispanics speak a language other than English at home. –Among Hispanics, approximately 2 in 5 speak English less than “very well.” Economics –26% of full-time, year-round Hispanic workers earn $35,000 or more, compared to 53.8% of non-Hispanic whites. Source: U.S Census Bureau, “Annual Demographics Supplement to the March 2002 Current Population Survey.”

13 Activity: Making the Case Directions: Brainstorm responses to the following: –Explain the importance of serving Spanish speakers to someone within the library (staff, director, board member) who is resistant or believes the library should address other priorities –Explain the importance of serving Spanish speakers to a community member who is resistant

14 Building Support Within the Library for Serving Spanish Speakers Become an advocate Communicate/collaborate with administration Get philosophical commitment - include in library’s strategic plan/mission Prioritize - select target segment, specific need, specific service to start with Develop specific outcomes and action plans Start small, but plan for the long term Communicate and involve all levels of staff Report, document, evaluate, adapt

15 Building Support Within the Community Acknowledge that changing attitudes and values is difficult Focus on what’s in it for the community Reward, acknowledge, recognize efforts Provide frequent, safe opportunities for people to learn about/interact with Spanish-speaking community Collect stories, anecdotes from Spanish speakers and share them with the community at large Use relevant examples and statistics to persuade –Example: local drop-out rate of Latino students

16 Additional Resources for Making the Case 10 Reasons We Buy Spanish Books – By Al Milo, Spanish Translation of the Library Bill of Rights REFORMA Language Rights

17 CURRENT LANDSCAPE How are libraries meeting computer needs of Spanish speakers?

18 Why Do Spanish speakers Want/Need Computer Training and Access? Keep up with children Apply for jobs & function in current job Access important information (health, legal, educational, etc.) Communicate with family/get news from home Learn English Entertainment

19 Types of Programs Being Offered Basic computer skills Internet/ Word and other common applications Using search engines: how to find the information you need ESL tutorials Social software, eg. Skype Open hours – one-to- one help

20 Finding the Right Instructor Language Ability Technology Skills Awareness of Cultural Differences eg. appropriate dress for teaching Knowledge of the Spanish-speaking community

21 Overcoming the Language Barrier Find a volunteer from the Spanish- speaking community to serve as a translator Keep the class size small Refresh knowledge of technology terms in Spanish

22 Class Logistics Scheduling Course Information Enrollment Transportation Child care Marketing

23 Preparing for Class Before Class –Prepare computers As Class Begins –Anticipate late arrivals –Address fears –Demonstrate basics Throughout Class –Explain terminology –Provide clear handouts in Spanish –Empower students

24 Tips For Successful Computer Classes Full information about the classes Weekly regular classes Benefits of attending Classes tailored to local issues Bilingual instruction/handouts

25 Additional Strategies Marketing Materials for Public Access Computers in Spanish Open lab hours staffed by bilingual staff Instructions for Opening and Using a Hotmail Account in Spanish ESL Software Reference list of Search Engines/Resources in Spanish Reference list of Spanish Online Computer Tutorials

26 Lessons Learned Importance of conveying that libraries provide what is often the only computer access available to Spanish speakers in community Computer classes in Spanish should be offered and integrated into library’s long range plan Make no assumptions about what the community knows about the library or its services Start small, commit for long term

27 Curriculum Resources Basic Skills Internet & Office Applications ESL Resources HTML See Resource Packet for annotated list of web resources or visit:

28 MARKETING TO THE SPANISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY

29 What Are You Marketing? Focus on selling the service or program in terms that “connect” or mean something to the community — that relate to their needs, problems, life situations, etc. Focus on selling the concept that the library is there to help. Avoid focusing on selling the “library.”

30 Developing Messages That Connect Instead of publicizing a list of computer classes, talk about what the classes will help them do: –Do you want to learn how to communicate with your family in Mexico? Come to the library to learn how to send messages. –Are you looking for a job? Come to learn how to submit your job application on the computer.

31 Tips on Preparing Marketing Materials Emphasize the visual. Use color. Emphasize the 4 F’s –Free (Gratis), Family, Food, Fun Use their language Get it down to basics Get help reviewing translations

32 Techniques for Better Word- of-Mouth Exposure Promote service among local community leaders Hold special events within the community tailored to community needs and interests Partner with community events Work with the ethnic media to help spread the word

33 Community of Interest at WJ Content Message Boards Program Curriculum Materials Spanish Language Outreach Online Course! Monthly 1-hour Webinars Follow-on Curriculum – Building and Sustaining Multicultural Partnerships Program evaluation including Focus Groups

34 Lots of Links – Library Sites Boston Public Library Contra Costa County Library searchmain.html#recursos Los Angeles Public Library Queens Public Library =Spanish

35 Lots of Links – Library Sites San Francisco Public Library m Multnomah County Library Newport (OR) Public Library (nice concise list)

36 Oregon Resources Mexican Consulate in Portland The Beehive onal/Default.aspx

37 News and Portals Univision Yahoo MSN CNN Links to International Newspapers odicos/

38 Health Resources MedlinePlus sh/medlineplus.html NOAH CDC (Center for Disease Control) Healthfinder

39 Learn English La Mansión del inglés Curso de inglés Dictionary m

40 Computer Instruction Aprenda la Red (Learn the Net) 00start.html GCF Global Learning