Shaka. Pew Internet research recently released a report about
Public Libraries and Hispanics. If you have a large or increasing Spanish speaking constituency that your library serves, perhaps you might want a closer in-depth look at the Pew report. The report is important because the Hispanic population in Nebraska has grown, and is projected to continue to rise (see the chart at the right—sources: U.S. Census and UNO Center for Public Affairs Research). The increasing Latino/Latina population underscores the need for Spanish language materials (more than half of immigrant Hispanics are Spanish-dominant speakers). Interestingly, immigrant Latinos also are more likely to prefer
audio and
video over print book reading (32% v.s. 18% of whites). Also, Latinos are more likely to view library closings as having a major impact on their families and communities (40% v.s. 26% for whites). How many libraries have collection development policies specifically addressing materials in languages other than English? I’d venture to say a number have a version of these already. Perhaps it is time to review those, and plan for the future.
Shaka. Pew Internet research recently released a report about Public Libraries and Hispanics. If you have a large or increasing Spanish speaking constituency that your library serves, perhaps you might want a closer in-depth look at the Pew report. The report is important because the Hispanic population in Nebraska has grown, and is projected to continue to rise (see the chart at the right—sources: U.S. Census and UNO Center for Public Affairs Research). The increasing Latino/Latina population underscores the need for Spanish language materials (more than half of immigrant Hispanics are Spanish-dominant speakers). Interestingly, immigrant Latinos also are more likely to prefer audio and video over print book reading (32% v.s. 18% of whites). Also, Latinos are more likely to view library closings as having a major impact on their families and communities (40% v.s. 26% for whites). How many libraries have collection development policies specifically addressing materials in languages other than English? I’d venture to say a number have a version of these already. Perhaps it is time to review those, and plan for the future. 
