Population Served:
25,798 Project Contact: Michele Seipp Project Title: English Integration@your library Project Description: Our project is intended to build on the current English language learning options available in Lafayette, and to encourage adults attending English classes to take advantage of other services in the library. We added higher level classes, and 2 laptops with Rosetta Stone software for practice outside the classes. Several family events were held, as a way of advertising the services, helping people feel comfortable in the library, and exposing parents to some of the early literacy activities for their children. |
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Notable accomplishment, promising practices, or human interest stories: We’ve been able to attract more students and volunteer teachers, and have ongoing English classes at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Other volunteers work individually with women in their homes, reaching women who would not be able to attend a class at the library. Having consistent attendance, and having students in all 3 levels is an enormous success. We don’t know the reason for the turn-around, but it’s rewarding to see people persevering with their English and moving up to the next level.
At this year’s Dia De Los Muertos celebration, several of the Spanish-speaking parents who came shared stories of relatives they wanted to honor. It seemed that they were finally feeling comfortable enough with the surroundings to be willing to speak and have their words interpreted as they went along. Getting people to show up for event used to be our measure of success, but having them actively participate took our measure to the next level.
Key lessons learned: It isn’t anything new that we’ve learned, but reminders that this work is slow, sporadic, unpredictable, and often intangible in its success. In a world that wants statistics, solid numbers and measurable outcomes, showing the results of all our efforts is difficult. The cost/benefit ratio is high, compared to other library programs, and there must be a commitment to the importance of this work from library management for it to continue. It can be hard to justify programs with such a high per-participant cost.
We have chosen to focus on spreading the word in person, and find that approach more effective. Comparing attendance at programs, one where we relied on flyers and published announcements, and the other where we talked with parents at a school function, we had a much larger audience at the one where we talked directly to parents.
Advice for
other libraries serving adult English language learners: Collaborate with other groups rather than strike out on your own, especially groups that are working already within the community and have a core of potential students.
Aim for quality rather than quantity, even though it means the numbers on your reports won’t look as good – the difference you make in someone’s life matters more.