WebJunction

During our Friday morning staff meeting last week, Paige and I shared the task of discussing the information we have covered in our Web Junction Spanish Language Outreach program. Paige discussed the cultural differences we face with the Latino population, e.g. the multiple last name challenge when filling out an application, education gap, family centered culture and loyal patrons once they feel comfortable and accepted in a given situation. Paige covered the requirements that were met to satisfy the grant. The Podcast in Spanish for library card applicants was met with great interest. I reviewed the upcoming ELL high school visits that will be hosted by April. I familiarized the staff with the Web Junction web page and how to access it from our library home page. I reviewed the "Survival Spanish for Library Staff" written material and we showed them the CD. Also, Jan and I presented a short dialog en Espanol that we learned from taking Workplace Spanish through our local community college. The "Survival Spanish for Library Staff" has come in extremely handy during that class. With the changes we are making as a result of the grant and the spanish language classes many of us are taking, I think our library is becoming a much more welcoming place for our growing latino population.