Off the Shelf - Fall 2012 - Free Library of Philadelphia

from theNEIGHBORHOODSphoto Credit: Tim GrahamLibraries speak a universal language.No matter where they are located, librariessignal community, safety, learning, andadvancement. They are a place whereneighbors gather to meet, learn, andinteract. It is this sense of community andopportunity that draws new Americans inPhiladelphia to the Free Library.The 2010 Census reports that 12% of Philadelphia’s population was bornoutside of the United States and almost a quarter of homes speak alanguage other than English. Navigating the ins and outs of urban lifeis sometimes hard enough for born-and-raised Philadelphians, and thelanguage and cultural barriers that burden new Americans only add tothat difficulty. The Free Library of Philadelphia is committed to offeringhelpful, accessible resources to all: English-language classes, specialworld-language collections, citizenship classes, online language tools,and much more across all of its neighborhood libraries.Libraries in Northeast Philadelphia, a section of the city settled by adiverse immigrant population, serve individuals and families fromacross the globe. New Americans from China, South Korea, SaudiArabia, Morocco, Turkey, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Greece, Cuba, Brazil, Haiti,Ukraine, and more establish themselves in Philadelphia and look to theneighborhood libraries for support during their acclimation process.“It’s very welcoming here,” explains Jennifer Chang, Regional Librarianat the Northeast Regional Library. “People have their own communitiesin the library, and it’s a good place to grow their families.”At Bushrod Branch, another neighborhood library in the Northeast,English-language classes empower participants with new vocabulary;after-school program staff help children who speak limited English; andWelcome! Willkommen! ようこそ!Serving Philadelphia’sNew AmericansLEFT: Regional Librarian Jennifer Chang(far right) helps New Americans learnbasic computer skills in the Gates Labat Northeast Regional Library.RIGHT: A Translation Station helps librarystaff communicate with non-English speakingcustomers in ten different languages includingArabic, Cambodian, and Korean.photo Credit: George Matysikextensive collections of world-language materials—books, CDs, DVDs—bring a little taste of home to customers when they need it most.Although assimilating to a new culture is difficult and often trying,the journey is rewarding—both to customers and library staffalike. “There is often a challenge of basic communication, such asconveying that the ESL classes are full—which they almost alwaysare,” remarks Catherine Krystopowicz, Branch Manager of Bushrod.But the adjustment period pays off. “Learning to speak Englishfacilitates an immigrant’s assimilation into society, as well as theuse of the library services.”And with the Free Library’s online digital resources, customers wishingto practice their language skills at home are in luck. Programs likeMango Languages, available at freelibrary.org, provide interactivelanguage acquisition in a variety of world languages including Spanish,French, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Russian, and more, aswell as English-as-a-Second-Language classes in multiple languages.Mango Languages combines practical conversational skills withmemory-building activities through interactive lessons, all accessiblewith a Free Library card and PIN.However, it’s not just language skills that the neighborhood librariesare focused on—they assist new Americans in all aspects of adjustingto life in Philadelphia. At Northeast Regional, workshops for smallbusiness owners and computer classes are constantly in demand.Recently, librarians held a trilingual program for customers buying ahome for the first time. Participants gained knowledge on the processof home ownership in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.Across the city, Philadelphia’s population is increasingly diverse.The Northeast libraries—and their many immigrant communities—are just a few examples of how the Free Library strives to serve allPhiladelphians. As each neighborhood library assists its distinctiveblend of cultures and ethnicities, the Free Library is proud to bepart of a welcoming new home.• • • BY EILEEN OWENSBELOW: Let’s Speak English groups—which meet weekly in several librariesacross the system—help internationaladults practice conversational English.photo Credit: George MatysikThe Free Libraryof Philadelphia iscommitted to offeringhelpful, accessibleresources to all:English-languageclasses, special worldlanguagecollections,citizenship classes,online languagetools, and muchmore across all ofits neighborhoodlibraries.CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:Queen Memorial’s originallocation at Hope PresbyterianChurch at 33rd and Wharton StreetsQueen Memorial’s presentlocation on South 23rd StreetOriginally named SouthwarkLibrary, charles santore librarywas a Carnegie Building locatedat 5th and Ellsworth streets.Children’s department of theCharles Santore branch currentlylocated on 7th and Carpenter streetsA Hundred Years in the Making:QUEEN MEMORIAL AND CHARLES SANTORE2012 marks the 100-year anniversary for two of our neighborhood libraries. Both Queen Memorialand Charles Santore libraries are celebrating a century of service in South Philadelphia!Queen Memorial Library—named after Philadelphia optician, pioneer microscope maker, andphilanthropist James W. Queen—became part of the Free Library system on December 13, 1912.Currently located in the Landreth Apartments, a residence for seniors on 23rd and Federal Streets,Queen Memorial was first housed in a church on 33rd and Wharton Streets, and then relocatedto Point Breeze Avenue, before settling in its final location in 1995. The library now serves thesurrounding community and is proud to celebrate its history and service: “The 100-year anniversarymeans quite a bit,” says Betty Beauford, head of Queen Memorial’s Friends Group. “The library is awonderful resource for our community and is very needed in our neighborhood—the resources areconstantly being utilized!”Charles Santore Library, originally the Southwark Library, was a Carnegie Building located at 5th andEllsworth Streets that opened on November 15, 1912. After moving locations in 1963 to South 7th Streetin Bella Vista, close to the Italian Market, the library eventually changed its name in 2004 to honorCharles Santore, a South Philadelphia boxer, Republican ward leader, and father of the acclaimed,eponymous children’s book illustrator. Currently, Charles Santore is closed for renovations, but thestaff is looking forward to reopening in early September and celebrating the anniversary. JanetPuchino, Branch Manager at Santore, says the celebration—taking place on November 10, 2012—willbe an opportunity for the Library to offer customers a memorable thank you for their support: “It willbe an all-day event, generously paid for by the Friends of the Charles Santore Library. There will bemusic, fun, games, historical images, contests, and prizes!” And, of course, a celebratory cake.With celebrations and a commitment to their communities, we look forward to what the next 100years will bring to Queen Memorial and Charles Santore libraries!photo Credit: EILEEN KENNEDY• • • BY EILEEN OWENS{ 12 }photo Credit: Ryan Brandenberg{ 13 }