Travel The World At Library

This Library has great programs to help all their clients learn about the world, languages and cultures. More than just provide books for them, too. DP

by: Jessica Noll, Kentucky Post

You’re invited to travel the World at the Kenton County Public Library and learn about different countries through bilingual programs and materials designed for both English speaking and non-English speaking people who love to learn.

The Kenton County Public Library offers special programs designed to teach about world cultures while having fun. Put on your traveling shoes and experience the Chinese Way of Tea New Year Celebration, Celebrate Philippines, Silent Music: A story of Baghdad, El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), Culture Fest, International Thanksgiving and much more throughout the year.

The Chinese Way of Tea New Year Celebration will kickoff the Library’s Bilingual Programs for 2009 on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. at the Covington location. Attendees will learn Chinese, enjoy tea, make good luck banners and receive Chinese New Year gifts. (See attached flyer for other bilingual program details).

The Library also offers to programs to boost reading skills: Reading Buddies – a club for both English and non-English speaking children – at the Erlanger Branch and Puppy Tales – an opportunity for children to read one-on-one to dogs – at all three branches.

To support bilingual and cultural programming, the Library has a large foreign language book collection for children and adults, other foreign language materials, travel planning materials, and world music.

“I was so glad to find books written in my own language,” says Pilar Hernández de Mason, who was born in the Dominican Republic and still has family there.

In addition to books and materials, the Library always has reference staff on duty to help find resources and provide computer assistance.

The Kenton County Public Library has been offering programs, services and materials like this for years as an effort to reach out to new immigrants, as well as natives, in the community. Although the Library does not always have bilingual staff on duty, the staff will make an effort to meet the needs of foreign language speakers.

All programs and services are free and you do not have to have a Kenton County Public Library card to attend a program. You do not have to live in Kenton County to receive a free Kenton County Public Library card. All you need is a valid ID with your current address or a recent piece of mail.

Children can also receive a free Library card with parent permission.