{"id":7125,"date":"2018-04-09T09:47:18","date_gmt":"2018-04-09T13:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/language-news\/?p=7125"},"modified":"2020-10-01T12:05:03","modified_gmt":"2020-10-01T16:05:03","slug":"libraries-lead-the-charge-for-a-multilingual-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/language-news\/2018\/04\/09\/libraries-lead-the-charge-for-a-multilingual-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Libraries Lead the Charge for a Multilingual America"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week marks the 50th<\/sup> annual National Library Week<\/a>, a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation\u2019s libraries\u2014and librarians.<\/p>\n

The theme for this year\u2019s National Library Week is: \u201cLibraries lead.\u201d<\/strong> This is not just a nice sentiment\u2014it\u2019s a fact, reinforced by our dealings with more than 1,000 libraries throughout the US and beyond. We are proud to work with librarians to bring language learning opportunities to their communities.<\/p>\n

Despite the US position on the world stage, politically, economically, and socially, our country faces a language deficit so serious that the Boston Globe recently called it a national emergency<\/a>. Language skills are in high demand from employers, but schools continue to cut language programs to balance their budgets. \u00a0A national report commissioned by Congress called for \u201cclosing the language gap\u201d, lest we risk being left out<\/a> of any conversation not taking place in English.<\/p>\n

Libraries are leading the charge to close the language gap.<\/h2>\n

While schools, employers, and other organizations will have a role to play, libraries are leading the charge to close that gap.<\/p>\n

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The first meeting of the English Club for English language learners at Dover Library. (Photo by RTLibrary on Flickr is licensed under CC BY 2.0)<\/p><\/div>\n

Libraries around the country are expanding their foreign language collections. <\/strong>We\u2019re thrilled to work with Queens Library, who maintains the\u00a0largest multilingual collection<\/a>\u00a0in the country, providing material in 40+ languages. The collection includes popular fiction from all genres (sci-fi, romance, mystery, etc.), self-help books, and even cookbooks. \u00a0Many U.S. immigrants also rely on libraries for news from abroad. Queens Library consists of 62 branches, each of which has the option to subscribe to newspapers that are most relevant to their specific patrons.<\/p>\n

Libraries offer online language learning opportunities. <\/strong>Most libraries around the country provide free access some kind of online language platform, including the hundreds of libraries<\/a> who offer Transparent Language Online to all library card holders. This allows busy community members to learn from home or on the go using their laptops, tablets, or phones\u2014no visit to the library necessary.<\/p>\n

Libraries facilitate foreign language and ESL conversation groups. <\/strong>Speaking and using the language is integral to the learning process, but a good conversation partner is hard to find. Not so if your local library hosts regular conversation groups.<\/p>\n

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This fun, informal group is a great place to work on your English skills! We\u2019ll have volunteers from Kirkwood Community College here to help with conversation skills, expressions, pronunciation, and more, Friday at 10 a.m. in Meeting Room E. pic.twitter.com\/GkoYXsqqIy<\/a><\/p>\n

— Iowa City Public Library (@ICPL) April 4, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n