Rewriting Book on Libraries From Immigrants' View

Many immigrants are using the libraries as their place to learn culture and language. This has increased the use of libraries. A great use of the library, in my opinion. DP

Branches Catering to Immigrant Needs

By Cameron W. Barr, Washington Post Staff Writer
The Washington Post: After Shahla Mostafavi arrived in Montgomery County from Iran a decade ago, the public library became her comfort and refuge -- a place to learn about her adopted land and meet new people. "For immigrants, the first place they usually go is the library," she said last week as she sat in the Gaithersburg branch library.

In the next room, Fares Azzoug, 25, an Algerian, checked his e-mail and filled out a Selective Service form on one of the library's computers. He later joined Cesar Chavez, a Salvadoran, and a score of other new arrivals for an English conversation club. "For me, it's very, very important," said Chavez, gamely practicing his new language. "When I came, I am not speaking any English."

As the Washington suburbs draw more immigrants, many of the region's public libraries are recasting themselves as welcome centers for "new Americans," emulating a program pioneered decades ago in the New York borough of Queens. Signs at the Gaithersburg branch identify the checkout desk in Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. The profusion of return dates stamped on the back of Chinese romance novels shows the popularity of the library's growing foreign-language collections.
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