Increasing Diversity

In our Libraries

Presented by Stephanie Metzger

Imagine Learning

stephanie.metzger@imaginelearning.com

The Problem

Vision

The young adult book selection available at our public library does not represent the community it serves.

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For our local communities to have language diverse libraries that reflect our communities

The Importance of Diverse Books and Literature

Why is it important?

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• Literacy in students’ L1 improves their literacy in L2
• Having books that reflect our student’s narratives, culture, and situations
• Representation
• Access to educational materials and to encourage literacy in all communities
• Have the library seen as a resource for immersion schools and families���Jennifer Rothschild: Children's books about Race and Diversity

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Alexandria Public School

YA Students Language Diversity (6-12)

Source: Data from ACPS

More than 50% of students in ACPS speak a language other than English at home. The most frequently spoken languages among ACPS students are Spanish, Amharic and Arabic.

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From 6-12th grade, 32.1% of our students speak Spanish at home.

Alexandria Public Library

YA Book Language Diversity

Source: Alexandria City Library Catalog *when searched 91 come up, but half of those are video/DVD materials and many more were just english books with no translation*

Spanish YA books represent .002% of the Young Adult Library in Alexandria.�

Spanish-speaking YA students represent 32.1% of Alexandria Public Schools.

Initial thoughts? Reactions?

Of those 18 books many are translated straight from english, very few are culturally authentic books�About half are the hunger games translated, then other books like artemis fowl, john green books, and harry potter.

Arlington Public School

Students Language Diversity

Source: Arlington Public School Demographics

Arlington Public Library

YA Book Language Diversity

Source: Arlington Public Library Catalog

Spanish YA books represent .006% of the Young Adult Library in Arlington.�

Spanish-speaking students represent 21.65% of Arlington Public Schools.

Initial thoughts? Reactions?

Research & Report Back

1. Go to your local libraries webpage
2. Write down the total YA book #
3. Sort by language
4. Write down the total YA (language) book #
5. Sort through that list, how many are translated? Authentic?
6. Find local librarian email/contact

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Comparison

Spanish (Ya) 64/ English (YA) 9,784

Arlington

Spanish (YA) 78/ English (YA) 14,549

Fairfax

Spanish (YA) 18/ English (YA) 8125

Alexandria

Spanish (YA) 144 / English (YA) 9541

Loudon

Spanish (YA) 418 / English 1 18,728 (YA)

DC

Spanish (YA) 23 / 8982 English (YA)

Prince William

The young adult book selection available at our public library does not represent the community it serves.

*The spanish YA #’s may be inflated, often when you comb through there are many just English books*

Research & Report Back

• Go to your districts homepage
• In search bar look for ELL population or language
• Specifically for middle-high school
• Look of email of ELL specialist or coordinator

This information can be a bit more difficult to find, but important to report to our libraries & making those connections.

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Proposed Solution - Next Steps�

1. Contact your local library to provide this information

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Email template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ttZIhcotPPdgXVOtYnOCM9dIw6fVTKgwa4hoSI2cpfE/edit?usp=sharing

Proposed Solution - Next Steps�

2. Prepare presentation

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Powerpoint: Template

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_DdJoSXU8SSqTSJhb9M3sM2EELCDOY-LoSU5fTMkBHk/edit?usp=sharing

Proposed Solution - Next Steps�

• Set up a community led book Spanish donation & funds�
• Goal, Funding 100 new YA books that are culturally relevant and not just translated Book List from Gunston Book List 2

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• Increase priority towards purchasing YA books in Spanish

Other things to consider for school and local libraries

-Placement of books - are they off in a corner labeled “Spanish” or mixed throughout the library?

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-Do students know what multilingual options are available? Is this celebrated?

¡Gracias!

Questions?

Stephanie.metzger@imaginelearning.com

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Padlet: https://padlet.com/stephaniehmetzger/qj8nzxl147aykee6

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