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Draft:Library services for recent immigrants in the United States

Libraries have long been known to house collections of books and other materials, and even to provide technological services to their patrons. Modern libraries continue to adapt services, holding classes on a broad range of topics. Among these, some libraries are beginning to focus on services for recent immigrants to the United States. Providing services for immigrants aligns with the policies listed in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which notes that:

“I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.” (American Library Association, 2019).

History

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Historically, public libraries have acted as hubs of information and education for immigrant populations. Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, an immigrant himself, supported public libraries in this role and has been called the “Patron Saint of Libraries.” (Bobinski, 1969). Carnegie donated millions of dollars to build libraries and fund collections, believing that doing so would help educate immigrants and aid in assimilation to American culture. More recently, the Institute of Museum and Library Services convened a working group in the early 2000s to assess the state of resources provided by libraries for recent immigrants in the U.S. In 2003, they formulated a report detailing efforts of many public libraries to meet those needs.

An episode of the New York Public Library’s The Librarian Is In podcast, titled Immigrants in America, discusses “the history of politically radical immigrants in America” and other related topics with historian Pam Nogales.

Examples of services

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These services offered by Kansas City Public Library (KCPL) in Missouri are a few examples of the types of services becoming more widely available to recent immigrants (Kansas City Public Library, n.d.).

English language learning classes (sometimes referred to as “English as a Second Language”, or ESL) Naturalization courses Financial literacy Driver education Conversation groups

A video created by the Chattanooga Public Library contains examples of library services for immigrants, including information regarding available resources for immigrants interested in obtaining citizenship. Other services described in the video include: materials about the naturalization process, civics flash cards to study for the naturalization test, ESL materials and classes for all ages and levels of English speakers, information about voting registration and elections, absentee ballot request forms, information and resources about obtaining or renewing passports, and more. This video contains useful examples of library services for immigrants and contains helpful information for public libraries seeking to increase services for recent immigrants. Additionally, creating partnerships between libraries and local organizations can help relieve resource burdens associated with a high demand for services. A report on current practices for providing library services for immigrants created by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (Department of Homeland Security) describes the roles partnerships can play: 

“In many communities with large or new immigrant populations, public libraries and organizations that serve immigrants often face a demand for services that exceeds their resources. Working group participants identified partnerships between libraries and immigrant-serving organizations as a strategy for bridging the resource gap. Partnerships help to leverage resources, provide avenues for sharing information and referrals, and can provide technical assistance to a library’s program.” (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, n.d.)

Library web resources for recent immigrants

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Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) offers a list of free resources for recent immigrants. Multnomah County Library offers a comprehensive list of legal and advocacy services in the Oregon area. The immigration Advocates Network website describes their project Immi, which “[…] helps immigrants in the U.S. understand their legal options and access critical resources from any location. Through Immi, users can learn about various forms of relief, access a directory of over 1,000 non-profit legal organizations, stay up to date with changes to immigration law, and make a plan in case of an encounter with ICE.” (Immigration Advocates Network, n.d). Kern County Public Library (KCPL) in California posts bilingual storytimes on their YouTube channel for Spanish-speaking families.

Library web resources for librarians

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A free webinar from WebJunction provides free and trustworthy financial literacy information to provide instruction on the U.S. Financial System to recent immigrants (WebJunction, 2023). A video created by the Immigration Advocates Network describes their project Immi, mentioned above, and includes information about ways libraries can start or expand immigration services U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services has a toolkit for public libraries wishing to engage in outreach and programming activities aimed at recent immigrants. The American Library Association published a guide titled Engaging Multilingual Communities and English Language Learners in U.S. Libraries that is “designed to support library personnel who serve multilingual patrons through events, collections, and enrichment opportunities.” (American Library Association, 2021).

Current status and controversies

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Rising anti-immigrant rhetoric in recent years has placed immigration in the spotlight (Marvine, 2024). While libraries’ activities serving recent immigrants have not yet stirred controversy, the potential does exist. As with library materials everywhere, books and other library materials that are seen as diverse or challenging to the status quo are seeing increased challenges or efforts to ban those materials (Velshi, 2024).

References

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1. American Library Association. (2021). Engaging Multilingual Communities and English Language Learners in U.S. Libraries. https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/aboutala/content/Engaging%20Multilingual%20Communities%20and%20English%20Language%20Learners%20in%20U.S.%20Libraries%20%20Toolkit.pdf

2. American Library Association. (2019). Library Bill of Rights. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

3. Bobinski, George S. (1969). Carnegie Libraries: Their History and Impact on American Public

4. Library Development. Chicago: American Library Association.

5. Immigrants and the Library | American Libraries magazine. (2018, May 17). American Libraries Magazine. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/immigrants-and-the-library

6. Cunningham, M., & Cunningham, M. (2024). Missouri won’t let Kansas City become a sanctuary city, but the mayor wants more immigrant workers. Beacon: Kansas City. https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/04/30/kansas-city-mayor-quinton-lucas-immigration-sanctuary-city-2024/

7. Immigration Advocates Network. Immi Project. (n.d.). https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/immi-project/

8. Kansas City Public Library. (n.d.). Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment (RISE). https://kclibrary.org/rise

9. Marvine, J. (2024). For immigrants in Kansas City, racist election messaging is 'harming all of us'. NPR in Kansas City. https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2024-11-01/for-immigrants-in-kansas-city-racist-election-messaging-is-harming-all-of-us

10. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (n.d.) Library Services for Immigrants: A Report on Current Practices. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/G-1112.pdf

11. Velshi, A. (2024). Ali Velshi banned book club on erasing immigrant stories. The Philadelphia Citizen. https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/listen-ali-velshi-banned-book-club-removing-immigrant-stories/

12. WebJunction. (2023). Libraries helping refugees and new immigrants learn the us financial system. https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/new-immigrants-financial-system.html

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