Contact Information
(press inquiries only)
The New York Public Library
Public Relations Office
188 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
phone: 212.592.7700
fax: 212.592.7729
The New York Public Library Reaches Out to Hispanic Communities with Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca
October Open Houses in Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island include Library Orientations, Computer Demonstrations, and Live Musical Concerts
The New York Public Library will host open houses for Spanish speakers at three of its Branch Libraries in October. The events are part of Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca, a library project designed to reach out to Hispanic communities in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island with a wide range of new materials, programs, and services. Presented in Spanish, the open houses include an orientation outlining services and resources available in Spanish; an introduction to Spanish-language computer classes; a hands-on demonstration of computer-based English instruction; and an opportunity to sign up for library cards. Musical performances are scheduled at some of the open houses. The events will be held Saturday, October 15 at the Port Richmond Library in Staten Island; Tuesday, October 18 at the Tremont Library in The Bronx; and Saturday, October 22 at the Seward Park Branch Library in Manhattan.
Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca Program
The two-year Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca program was started in spring 2005 and was created to change perceptions of libraries and to improve awareness of Library resources and programs among Spanish speakers. Hispanics comprise the largest minority group in the city, accounting for 27% of the population. Despite their great information needs, many Hispanic immigrants do not turn to public libraries for assistance; in many Spanish-speaking countries, public libraries are mostly geared to support academic curricula and do not provide services for the non-academic public. As part of Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca, The Library is expanding its collections of Spanish language materials, including Spanish language bestsellers and translations of English language bestsellers, popular music CDs, and feature film videos and DVDs. A series of ethnic heritage programs for families, featuring music, dance, and song reflective of the diverse Hispanic community, will be presented regularly over the next two years.
Spanish Language Resources at The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library has a wide variety of services for the city's Spanish-speaking population. In addition to the Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca programming, The New York Public Library recently introduced its Spanish language catalog, which can be accessed online here. The latest addition to the Library's Spanish web presence, the catalog also includes 12 licensed databases in Spanish. Information about English language learning and citizen preparation materials are available at Branch locations. Bilingual signage is posted in the Branches to promote the collections and assist users in locating resources. Novedades, a monthly list promoting these collections highlights new titles of special interest available in branches throughout NYPL's system; this is disseminated in print and online through the Library's Spanish language webpages.
Saturday, October 15, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Port Richmond Branch Library Open House
75 Bennett Street (at Heberton Ave.), Staten Island
Library cards will be given out from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Library orientations and computer orientations are each a half-hour in length and will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A musical concert is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. For additional information, the public should call (718) 442-0158.
Tuesday, October 18, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Tremont Branch Library Open House
1866 Washington Ave. (at E. 176 th St.), Bronx
Refreshments will be served in addition to the orientations and demonstrations. For additional information, the public should call (718) 299-5177.
Saturday, October 22, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Seward Park Branch Library Open House
192 East Broadway (at Jefferson St.), Manhattan
Dressed in original costume, Mariachi Citali presents a live performance of song and dance at 2 p.m., after the library orientations and computer demonstrations. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, the public should call (212) 477-6770.
Bienvenidos a la Biblioteca (Welcome to the Library) is supported in part by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, and by the New York State Coordinated Outreach Services Grant.
