More Than a Book Lender: The Vital Role Librarians Play as Community Ambassadors
How does your library help you feel more connected to your community?
There’s so much more to the library than borrowing books.
Local history museum. Entertainment center. Information resource hub and workspace. Cultural gateway.
Libraries nationwide are ALL of these and more, thanks to dedicated teams of highly qualified librarians and staff who are leading the way as community ambassadors.
In a time when US businesses such as Starbucks are actively eliminating their publicly available communal gathering spaces to make way for more quick-service in-and-out models, libraries — and all they have to offer — are becoming ever more crucial. Librarians are not only responsible for being fonts of research knowledge but also for creating inclusive, welcoming environments for all — particularly people new to the United States, offering English as a Second Language courses and citizenship help. For instance, my local Houston Public Library (HPL) offers free citizenship assistance, with information available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Other adult services offered include job search assistance and computer help sessions.
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“Library staff play a pivotal role in creating accessible, supportive literacy opportunities for both adults and children,” shares HPL Assistant Director of Customer Experience Edgar Fuentes. “For instance, librarians design literacy programs specifically for ESL adults and children, recognizing their unique needs and challenges.”
Fuentes says HPL librarians support literacy for ESL patrons by curating collections of bilingual books, language-learning materials, and multilingual resources, as well as hosting storytime in multiple languages for children.
“These materials serve as bridges, allowing patrons to access information in their native language while gradually building their English proficiency,” says Fuentes. “We offer welcoming spaces, a vast collection of books and resources, access to technology, all free of charge! These practices and more reflect HPL’s commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for all community members who visit.”
HPL also makes a point to acknowledge heritage months throughout the year, such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, and Black History Month. The library offers a space for hosting unique cultural experiences, such as this fall’s performance of the Tung-Hua Puppet Theater of Taiwan in conjunction with Rice University — an entirely new experience for myself and my family.
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And if you can’t come to a Houston library, HPL will come to you. Fuentes says the Community Engagement and Education Team’s mobile units bring books, digital resources, and library services to local schools, parks, community centers, and local events. I am a member of Asia Society Texas, which helps me stay connected to my cultural roots in Hong Kong — a country I called home for half a decade and is the birthplace of my young daughter. HPL is a regular presence at Asia Society Texas special events, such as the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival celebration held earlier this fall.
“HPL functions as both a cultural and community resource center by offering a blend of educational, cultural and support services that enrich the lives of its patrons,” says Fuentes. “Our vast and diverse collection includes books, audiobooks, movies and music in both physical and digital formats that reflect our city’s cultural diversity.”
University libraries also play a valuable role in engaging with the community beyond their academic walls. Circulation Manager Jenn Palomino at SUNY New Paltz Sojourner Truth Library shares that their gallery of large display cases available to the public are continuously booked year-round by various academic departments to share their research with a broader public audience.
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“Exhibits include research posters, faculty and student art showcases, photographic documentaries, and instructor-led student exhibitions,” says Palomino. “Our library faculty build relationships all over campus, and we invite students and faculty to use the lobby for events, talks, and presentations.”
Additionally, the Sojourner Truth Library staff collects and assists with the creation of zines, self-published offbeat books or magazines with limited runs available to the general public. Since 2014, the New Paltz Zine Library has strived to represent the SUNY New Paltz student body as well as the broader Hudson Valley zine community, with topics ranging from race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability to sustainability, fine art, and how-to features. Librarians also coordinate and host zine-making workshops, reading, design seminars, and meaningful zine inclusion in the academic curriculum.
“[Zines] allow for creative expression, discourse, and sharing information,” says Palomino.
Next time you head to your public library, thank a librarian or staff member for the many hats they wear to make our communities inclusive, engaging, accessible, and dynamic — inside and outside the building!
Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries.
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