For many people, libraries are a temple of knowledge, a place where we come and return to throughout our life to find the information we need. Nevertheless, with the advent of the internet relocating information in people’s homes, and more recently AI, public libraries have evolved into places that foster participation, lifelong learning and community engagement. Throughout this course, I have become gradually more and more interested in discovering how libraries have evolved into these community spaces, and how as a librarian, I can also be a participant in this evolution. As we studied participatory learning, Infinite Learning and Library 2.0, I was inspired to read about and watch those libraries whose users not only acquire knowledge but also build relationships, develop confidence, and actively contribute to their communities. Because I immigrated to the US myself, I know how overwhelming settling in a new place with a new language without knowing almost anybody can be. So I wanted to pause and think back about that. I wanted to take the time to reflect on what would have helped me at the time, and what could help other immigrants in situations different than mine.
My primary objective is to become a teacher librarian in a secondary school, so it seems at first that this proposal does not necessarily align with my professional interests. First, because we can only choose three final classes outside of the mandatory TL courses, it is true that I wanted to tap into a different kind of library. The array of public libraries we saw in this class, as I explained above, inspired me for projects in those environments. Second, my personal cultural background inspired me. And last but not least, it is actually relatable to a school library environment. We have many English Language Learners at school who have immigrated with their parents, and I could use this as a starting point to also reflect on what the school library could bring to them.
Hi @jenniferw — this is an incredible idea! I spent some time living in Berkeley and I can see this program being very successful. Like you mentioned, the large immigrant population seen in the area makes Berkeley a great candidate to host the Newcomer Learning Center. I can also envision a program like this expanding into communities where there is a bit more socioeconomic disparity such as Oakland and San Francisco. Additionally, services can be expanded to include bilingual storytimes where new parents can connect with one another and later on, as children become teens, the center can include college admission advising sessions. For many immigrant families, those children would very likely be first generation college students so providing services like these can help demystify the college admission process, which has historically been quite intimidating.
These suggestions are great and I love the full circle moment of this being a generational and generations-long program that can support immigrant families in getting into college and eventual careers. Maybe some of those kids will get their MLIS and work for the same program that helped them get to where they are! I know, very optimistic and romantic but I like to think that way sometimes 🙂
Hi Jennifer,
This is such an awesome and I think necessary idea. I work in a school library where we have special services to help newcomer students get adjusted to school. These services are really beneficial and I think the library is the perfect place for that service in a school, so of course it should be expanded and be available at the public library. In the public library as opposed to the school library you have more opportunities to make community partnerships, like you spell out in the report, and it makes sure that specific resources aimed and guiding immigrants through their new community is not age specific and is open to all. Grounding this report in the idea of infinite learning is just perfect.