Longmont Public Library’s Bilingual Programming Supports Speakers in Longmont and Beyond
On a Wednesday evening in March, Isabella Scarpelli guides English language learners through the alphabet as part of 1,000 Words in English and More!—or rather ¡1,000 Palabras en inglés y más!—at the Longmont Public Library.
“Let’s focus on the letter F,” the library assistant says, writing it on the whiteboard. She practices the letter’s sound and uses the word “frog” to emphasize its pronunciation. “F-R-O-G. Do you recognize the F sound? What is a frog? What color is it?”
Scarpelli, accompanied by librarian and bilingual outreach coordinator Lilian Bucio, is leading guests through various practice exercises to help improve their English fluency.
This program, which meets four times per month, is just one of many bilingual offerings from the Longmont Public Library.
In fact, the library’s level of bilingual programming is on par with, if not greater than, neighboring libraries’, despite a limited budget, according to Claire Studholme, the children and teen services manager.
“We do more and more with less and less, but I wouldn’t say we are exceptionally unique in terms of serving Spanish speakers at libraries,” says Studholme. “In recent years, libraries in general across the U.S. have become more dedicated to serving Spanish-speaking communities, especially with the help of national organizations.”
The library is critical in serving not only Longmont’s Hispanic and Latine communities, which account for nearly 25% of residents, but also residents from Mead, Frederick, and Firestone.
“We see a lot of folks from the Latine community who live outside of Longmont, as well,” says Studholme, adding that this illustrates the need for ongoing programs and services.
Children and Families
The library launched Noche de diversión familiar (Family Fun Night) more than a year ago with the intention of serving Spanish speakers rather than English speakers who are learning.
Offered the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, Noche de diversión familiar programming alternates between Mexican board game Lotería and Bilingual Storytime with Snacks. Activities have included various crafts, piñatas, and themes around seasonal celebrations such as Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The library also hosts the always-popular Lotería on the first Sunday of each month for the entire family.
For nearly a decade, Studholme has made it a point to expand the bilingual offerings in children and teen services. A Spanish and Bilingual materials section in the children’s area is growing larger with several shelves of Spanish books. And the audience for Bilingual Storytime continues to grow.
“When I came in, we had one bilingual children’s librarian who [worked] 30 hours a week,” she says. “A lot of our positions now are either requiring or preferring Spanish fluency, and that has really transformed what we’re able to do.”
Adult Programming
Bilingual programming and services for adults go beyond the bookshelf or fun events. The library’s adult services include support for Spanish-speaking visitors from eight bilingual staff members. They translate and share information sheets on printing, access to computers, and finding local resources.
“Many adults just need to get life done. They need to apply for jobs, they need to get their bank accounts set up, they need to get paperwork completed for their kids. Helping them with these kinds of tasks is a really big part of our bilingual services,” says Pennie Howard-Burris, head of adult services. “We’re helping these adults do life.”
The library offers ¡Hablemos! Let’s Talk!, a weekly conversation group for English and Spanish speakers. Both are geared toward skill building in a second language.
Friends of the Library
The availability of these programs is due in large part to support from the nonprofit Friends of the Longmont Library (FOLL), which underwrites programs and services, Howard-Burris explains.
“The Friends support the majority of our library programming,” says Howard-Burris.
Beyond FOLL, Studholme encourages local residents who want to support the library to share their stories about its effect on their lives.
“We don’t expect everyone to be able to donate money,” she says. “Donate your time to a city council meeting or share how the library has impacted your life or someone you know. The library is an essential service to many in the community, and it’s important to share that with others who may not be aware of the library’s impacts beyond book lending.”
Photographs by Katy Ibsen
