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Libraries serve growing Spanish-speaking population in Newport News
Spanish-language collections and computer games are just a couple of the services available
With a growing Latino population in Newport News, the Newport News Public Library System is offering more services and programs for the Spanish-speaking community.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. 2008 Sep 15
With a growing Latino population in Newport News, the Newport News Public Library System is offering more services and programs for the Spanish-speaking community.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2006 estimates, 7,844 Latino people live in Newport News. “We serve the entire community,” said Elizabeth Speigle, assistant director of the Newport News Library System. “We are trying to be proactive in serving the community’s growing Hispanic population.”
In conjunction with the Healthy Family Partnership, New Parent Support at Fort Eustis and Mary Immaculate Family Focus, the Library System presents a monthly bilingual storytime at St. George Episcopal Church in Newport News.
Donna Diamonti, senior information services specialist at Grissom Library, reads to the children and parents in English, then the stories are translated into Spanish. Children and parents also have the opportunity to engage in songs and hands-on flannel board activities.
The library has also added Bookmobile stops to areas of the city with the highest concentrations of Spanish-speaking residents, including a stop at Wellington Apartments, 819 Forest Drive. More stops are being planned.
Other services in the libraries include:
· More than 860 bilingual and Spanish-language titles for adults and youth
· Spanish-language collections for children and adults at Grissom and Main Street Libraries and the Bookmobile
· Bilingual and Spanish-language educational games on a children’s computer at Grissom Library
· Library membership applications in Spanish
· Staff members who speak Spanish
“The library continues to look at more and better ways to provide needed programs and services,” said Spiegel. “Libraries are a place for communities to connect. They are places of opportunity for all. I invite everyone to check us out! Are you overdue?”
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