Public libraries: Allies for bilingual families

Public libraries are one of our nation’s most important resources. They support literacy, act as an inclusive gathering space for the community, and provide a plethora of public services. In this episode, we dive into how public libraries have been supporting bilingual families and how they can support you in your community.

We hear from Madeline Peña, President of REFORMA, an organization whose mission is to promote Spanish-language and Latino materials and services in U.S. public libraries; Loida García-Febo, president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA); and Lucía González, library director for the city of North Miami Public Library.

Additional resources

• Information for libraries and librarians serving Latinos & Spanish- speaking communities, REFORMA
• American Library Association
• Pura Belpré Award – Named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York City Public Library, this award recognizes Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
• Prime Time – A national humanities focused program that offers grants meant to engage young children in reading and critical thinking.
  

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