Why Multilingual Collections Matter
Speaking two or more languages and learning proficiency in both supports larger vocabularies, problem-solving skills, and executive function (Payne & Ralli, 2017). For youth, developing proficiency in two language is essential for cultural connection as well: “The development of children’s home language may associate with strengthening of family cohesion and intimacy, parental authority and transmission of cultural norms, all of which can lead to healthy adjustment and a strong identification and internalization of the social values of the family” (Toppelberg & Collins, 2010). According to the NCES, 10% of public school students are learning English as a second or third language, and that number has been consistently on the rise since 2000.
According to RUSA, a branch of the American Library Association, libraries should provide materials in languages spoken by their community members not as an additional service, but fully integrated into the library's collection development. Providing information and other materials in a variety of languages and formats should be part of the library's goals and policies. These should come in a variety of formats, including print, online, books, and films.(Davis et. al, 2007).
The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) also emphasizes the importance of multicultural and multilingual materials in their Multicultural Library Manifesto. They defend the importance of diversity in an increasingly globalized world, and advocate for libraries to "reflect, support and promote cultural and linguistic diversity at the international, national, and local levels, and thus work for cross-cultural dialogue and active citizenship" (IFLA, 2015). Purchasing multicultural materials and supporting different languages in services and collections are two main principles of a diverse library.
The Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) affirms the importance of diversity of cultures and languages in children's materials for their effect on children's self-image, learning about themselves and the world, and seeing their own experiences reflected in literature; conversely, those who do not see themselves represented will feel that their culture is unimportant and not valued by society. Libraries are in a unique position to help children learn and grow through literature and by reflecting the communities they serve (Naidoo, 2014).
While most library directors agree that access to relevant and informative materials is an important service that should be offered by public libraries, there is a tendency to overlook materials and sources to minorities. Most libraries attempt to collect some Spanish materials, but failure to promote these materials due to lack of staff knowledge or understanding can influence how Spanish speakers use their library (de Cordeiro, 2016). In Arizona, from 1999-2009 collections showed a significant increase in Spanish content, while programming, Spanish-fluent staff, and other services showed slower growth (Adkins & Burns, 2010). Some challenges to developing Spanish collections include a lack of reviews of materials or reviews not written a language librarians understand, few lists of core materials, working with a large number international vendors, translations not being applicable to the dialect spoken by users, and non-durable quality of materials (Boula, 2013).
As it is the most spoken language among immigrants to the U.S., this page focuses on collection of Spanish materials.
General considerations for selection: (adapted from RUSA Guidelines for Library Services to Spanish-Speaking Users)
- Develop and maintain a Spanish Language Collection Development Policy based on a needs assessment of the library community, considering age and ethnicity.
- Collect materials that are relevent to the informational and recreational needs of the Spanish-speaking community.
- Include materials from the nationalities and ethnicities represented among the Spanish-speaking community as well as accurate translations of English materials.
- Bibliographic access of subjects and catalog should be available in English and Spanish.
- Select, evaluate, and promote Spanish collections in accordance with the collection development statement and library mission.