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Services
Language Services
Latino Services Department attempts to bridge language barriers by offering
various types of language assistance to Latino and Spanish-speaking patrons.
Areas of assistance include:
- Interpretations: Spanish-speaking staff
members are available nearly all hours the Library is open to assist
Latino patrons in library transactions. Patrons can find assistance
in getting a library card, finding and checking out materials, signing
up for children’s programs, computer classes or the Internet, reserving
study rooms and more.
- Translations: Patrons who need written
documents translated can access on-site translation software available
at the Library’s Computer Center. The software translates from
English to Spanish with about 70% accuracy, so final editing is recommended
for all documents.
Bilingual and translated program fliers and printed patron information
are available at various Library help desks. Currently translated hand-outs
include monthly events calendar, computer class information, library
card application and brochure as well as "Useful Library Phrases"
in English and Spanish.
- Staff Spanish Training: Latino Services
trains library staff members in the mastery of basic library transaction
communications. The goal of this training is not for staff members to
master Spanish, but to use basic library vocabulary and phrases resulting
in improved library service to Latino patrons and greater staff empowerment.
more
Collections
Through collections and iBistro, the online catalog, Latino Services
aims to provide Spanish-speaking patrons with the materials and resources
they need and desire, and the tools to find them.
- Spanish and English
Literacy Collections: Latino
Services develops and maintains the Children’s Spanish, Adult Spanish
and English Literacy Collections. Books, videos, books-on-tape, magazines,
CD-ROMs and music recordings are included in these collections.
Collection development collaboration and purchase suggestions are solicited
from local Latinos (adults, teens, and kids) and teachers. Collections
highlight the newest titles in Spanish language publishing, as well
as specific areas of interest to community members.
- Online Catalog in Spanish:
Patrons can search our Library’s holdings as well as all those
in the state using the Spanish interface of "iBistro" —
our online catalog system. This is an important tool for monolingual
Spanish speakers.
Computers
Spanish computer classes and the Library’s Computer
Center aim to meet the technology needs of local Latinos.
- Spanish Computer Classes: We offer Spanish
computer classes on Wednesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. Classes
include Introduction to the Computer, Introduction to the Internet,
Basic Word Processing, Internet Search Techniques, e-mail training,
iBistro our online catalog, and introductions to the language resource
"Tell Me More." Basic typing skills and mouse tutorials are
included in the beginning classes.
- Computer
Center: The Library’s Computer Center includes 13
internet machines, two word processors and one multimedia computer.
Library word processors operate in MS Word in both Spanish and English,
and can facilitate document translations with translation software.
Electronic English acquisition courses on CD-ROM are available for patrons
to use on the multimedia computer.
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