Making a Place at the Table: A Guide for Small, Rural, and Suburban Libraries

Abstract

This article serves as resource for libraries in rural and suburban areas that are serving communities experiencing changes to their ethnic diversity, particularly an influx of immigrants from one central location with English as a second language (i.e. India, China, Syria, etc.). Within, resources include: research supporting the benefits of having a multilingual collection; common missteps and pitfalls in serving minority communities; examples of how to determine the community’s needs; provides recommendations for finding community partners; and shares resources from the American Library Association and other organizations to find grants, develop collections, and conduct outreach services.