Stefanie Schmidt

LIS 806
Library Profile

As many know, libraries function because of the community it serves, without the
community there would be no public libraries. Because of this, libraries need to know
who they are serving to provide the best material for their patrons. It is important to
know the community for a few reasons, one is that, according to IFLA/UNESCO
Multicultural Library Manifesto says, Libraries serve diverse interests and communities,
they function as learning, cultural, and information centers. In addressing cultural and
linguistic diversity, library services are driven by their commitment to the principles if
fundamental freedoms and equity of access to information and knowledge for all, in the
respect of cultural indemnity and values. To provide and meet the needs for the variety
of patrons, it shows that the library is committed to helping everyone. Purchasing
materials of other languages, shows the community that libraries want to provide for as
many patrons as they can, and that they care.
Part I:
I will be looking at Kane County, my library serves patrons of this county, but I have to
note, my library serves a very little section of this county, and most of our patrons are
Latinos. Of the 523,643 population in Kane County, 569 are foreign born. The top
foreign born communities are German, Irish, and Polish. But, if we are looking at
countries of Latino origin they would be: Mexico (30.7%), Puerto Rico (1.7%), and Cuba
(0.2%).
The top multilingual groups in this community are:
Spanish 120,776 (25.4%)
Indo-European 16,163 (3.4%)
Asian Pacific Island 9,001 (1.9%)
Ages groups of people in Kane County:
Under 5 7.8%
18 years and over 71.2%
65 years and over 9.8%
Educational attainment for Latinos is:
Less than 9
th
grade 26,291
9
th
to 12
th
grade, no diploma 15,796
Regular High School, no diploma 17,807
GED or alternative 3,760
Some college, no degree 9,713
Associates Degree 2,858
Bachelors Degree 3,736
Stefanie Schmidt
LIS 806
Library Profile

Graduate Degree 2,305
Language spoken at home (Spanish or Spanish Creole):
Spanish or Spanish Creole 25.4%
Speak English very well 42.8%
Speak English less than very well 57.2%
73% of Latinos are foreign born. 50.8% is a naturalized citizen, while 84.6% is not a
U.S. citizen.
The disability status of the civilian non-institutionalized population is:
Total 37,814 (7.4%)
Under 18 years 4,015 (2.7%)
18 to 64 years 18,261 (5.8%)
65 years and over 15,536 (31.6%)
As it was somewhat difficult to find LGBT facts for Kane County, I decided to search
same sex partners, to at least get some information about LGBT. According to
American FactFinder, in 2012 there is:
Male householder with male partner 203
Female householder with female partner 62
I obtained all of this information from America Fact Finder and Quick Facts. When you
get to the main page for American Fact Finder, you put either the county or city in the
search box under Community Facts. If you would like to do a more advanced search,
and find specific information, then I would recommend using the advanced search,
because it is easier to find your information, rather than clicking through all the tabs in
the community facts section. But, once you do your community facts search, it will take
you to a page where you can access information about Population, Age, Business and
Industry, Education, Housing, Income, Origins and Language, Poverty, and Veterans.
Part II:
I thought the best way to really know the community and understand their needs and
feelings about their library; I needed to contact someone in the literacy connection
organization. Since their offices are located in one of the public libraries in Kane County,
I chose Gail Borden, in Elgin. I was able to get in contact with Tina Viglucci, the
Hispanic Manager of literacy connection, and this is how it went:
Are ties to the country of origin strong and important to the community?

Stefanie Schmidt
LIS 806
Library Profile

-Yes, and I think the fact that a large number of the Hispanics in Elgin are foreign-born
has to do with this. Generally family connections are very important to Hispanics and for
those who are foreign-born many members of the nuclear or extended families are still
in the country of origin, thus there are especially strong ties. The same applies to
customs and traditions that they grew up with and are eager to pass on to children born
here.
What expectations do Latinos have of the library?

-I am not sure that there are expectations of the Library, since the concept of our public
libraries here is different from what people know and may be familiar with, if at all. Some
people truly do not know what to expect when they walk in for the first time. In general,
people seem grateful for the services the Library offers and impressed at the range of
offerings.
What is their perception of the library and the services that the library provide?

-We have not formally surveyed the Hispanics in our community, but I would like to think
that they perceive the Library as a place that is welcoming of Hispanics and all races
and ethnicities. I have heard through third parties that the Library has been mentioned
by Hispanic community members at City Council and School District meetings as an
example of a community resource that they feel connects well with them, in large part
due to the use of Spanish in many of our communications. I have also been in
meetings where parents have voiced their appreciation of all the programs and activities
available for them and their children, in Spanish and English. I do think many people are
not aware of the many services the Library is able to offer; even though our computer
classes are always full, I always run into people who don't know we offer them. I also
have helped many people who think there is a cost to Library services; that they will
need to pay a fee for checking out books, a Library card or one-on-one help; others
mistake us for a 'librera" (bookstore) and think the books are for sale.
What has been the experience of Latinos in your community with your library?

-Through programs and services offered by the Library and many community partners,
Latinos of all ages have taken advantage of opportunities to enjoy materials in Spanish
in all formats, develop their childrens literacy skills, connect with their culture, get
information related to health, housing, nutrition, wellbeing etc., find employment, learn
English and computer skills, and get involved with the library through volunteering and
jobs. They also enjoy just coming to enjoy the spaces the Library has to offer, from an
early learning play center to study rooms. Many of the Latinos who come to the Library
are repeat/frequent customers. I have also spoken with customers who have attended
ESL programs and computer classes and they have shared their stories of how what
they have learned has helped them in their personal and professional lives.
Stefanie Schmidt
LIS 806
Library Profile

For first-generation Latinos, what was their experience of libraries in their home
country? How are those experiences different than the tradition of the library in
the United States?

-Many come from urban and rural communities without a public library. Others have
been exposed to libraries where services may be obtained through fees, memberships
or affiliations to educational institutions.
Are there obstacles that prevent Latinos from using the library? Obstacles might
include long distances between Latino neighborhoods and libraries, lack of
information about library services, institutional distrust as a result of bias,
discrimination, stereotypes, racism or ethnic conflict in the community.

-Transportation is definitely an obstacle. Many families have no or limited means of
private transport or are limited in using private transport due to not having
documentation. Even though a public bus route stops right by our library, getting around
in the winter and/or with children is always a hassle. Another obstacle is lack of time to
visit the Library because of work schedules and time spent at home with children. The
Library is expanding outreach services to help bridge some of those obstacles. People
who lack records for a permanent address may also not be able to get a Library card; I
think there may be a good number of people who fall in that category.
What are important holidays, cultural events and traditions? How are they
celebrated or observed?

-Below is a list of some of the holidays and traditions we celebrate. Note that since most
of the Hispanics in Elgin are from Mexico we focus on that country, although we try to
be inclusive of other Latin American countries.
Three Kings Day, Da de los Nios, Cinco de Mayo (historical aspect of the Battle of
Puebla), Mexican Independence Day, famous persons (Benito Juarez, Frida Kahlo,
Cesar Chavez), Christmas posadas, Virgin of Guadalupe (cultural program), Da de los
Muertos, crafts (piatas, papel picado, alebrijes), dance (folkloric, cumbia, salsa, tango.)
What kind of programs would be of interest in this community?

-See question above. Also childrens storytimes, ESL, computer classes. Programs on
self-help topics are popular too. Also multigenerational programs designed for the whole
family to enjoy.

What media venues are most effective in reaching this target population? (local
radio, TV, newspapers in Spanish)
-We have not used much mass media, although if we would I think radio would be good.
Mostly we have publicized our services and events through localized media: the Library
newsletter, our partners own communications outlets (school district and parent groups
Stefanie Schmidt
LIS 806
Library Profile

are particularly effective), the Elgin Hispanic Network, GBPL website social media
pages, and email.
What word-of-mouth networks are most responsible for spreading information in
the Latino community?

-School district parent organizations, program/class participants, other non-profit
organizations.
In the end, I actually found this project to be a little difficult. Finding the
information about the County was somewhat difficult and confusing on where to go to
find exact information, it was also VERY time consuming. One thing I noticed was the
Fact Finder for English spoken at home and how well Spanish speakers can speak
English, which is definitely seen in my library. We have many patrons who have their
children translate for them when they need help, or have questions. So, I can definitely
say that the statistics for Spanish speakers, who speak English less than very well, is
pretty accurate. There was one statistic that did surprise me, which was the same sex
couples; I was surprised to learn that in all of Kane County there were only 203 male
householders with a male partner. To follow that, there were only 62 female
householders with a female partner, I was anticipating it to be bigger, probably because
Kane County is relatively big.












Stefanie Schmidt
LIS 806
Library Profile

Works Cited
American FactFinder." American FactFinder. Web. 2 June 2014.
<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml>.
"IFLA/UNESCO Multicultural Library Manifesto." International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions (IFLA). 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 29 May 2014.
<http://www.ifla.org/publications/iflaunesco-multicultural-library-manifesto>.
"United States Census Bureau." State and County QuickFacts. Web. 2 June 2014.
<http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html>.