Library Programs and New Americans: A White Paper

With 55 percent of new Americans reporting that they use public libraries at least once a week, the American Library Association (ALA) discusses the necessity of transforming libraries into a more accessible space for migrants, refugees, visitors and non-native English language speakers. In 2018, the ALA Public Program Office partnered with New Knowledge Organization Ltd. to review the services and programs of six public libraries in five cities. Along with interviewing new Americans, the researchers talked to library patrons, staff and community partners to better understand the role public libraries play in America’s immigration landscape and how public library programs can more effectively serve this growing population. In “Library Programs and New Americans: A White Paper,” the authors find that new Americans are drawn to library facilities for their offerings in English language learning, citizenship preparation, digital literacy education, cultural exchange and social networking opportunities. While these services are helping new Americans more fully integrate into local communities, ALA offers recommendations on how to build a communal space where both established residents and New Americans can benefit from the libraries’ multifaceted resources. These recommendations include: fostering partnerships with community organizations, training staff in cultural literacy skills, and offering multilingual, flexible programming to accommodate the community’s varying needs and schedules. The paper also gives detailed “action steps” for each of its recommendations. (Monica Leon for The Immigrant Learning Center’s Public Education Institute)

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