FYI,

The New Jersey State Library and its partners are thrilled to call for registration for Cross Cultural Communicators in Libraries, a groundbreaking pilot program aimed at increasing cultural and linguistic competence and effectiveness in communication among English/Spanish speaking bilingual individuals working in public libraries.

Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, this two-year project offers a comprehensive training on cultural competence and interpretation/translation skills in order to address significant challenges faced by front-line librarians and library support staff in an increasingly multicultural and multilingual society we live in. How do we communicate with and provide desired library services to our communities when substantial portions of our residents do not speak English? How do we develop engagements that are culturally responsive and effective?

 What will I learn?

Cultural Communicators in Libraries offers a blended learning opportunity that consists of:

• Five, self-paced, one-hour, webinars on topics essential to developing cultural competence such as diversity and cultural norms, language and cultural barriers, citizenship and integration;
• One, full-day, face-to-face workshop on improving translation and interpretation skills offered in project partners' regions.

 Who can apply?

Open to any library professional who is bilingual in Spanish and English and works in a public library setting in one of the project partners' region (New Jersey, Connecticut and California or in NY only open to Queens library staff)

How is 'bilingual' defined? 

Someone who is able to communicate in two languages with equal fluency. In this project, we welcome participants who self-identify themselves as bilingual Spanish/English speakers.  

Who are considered 'library professionals'?

We use the term 'library professionals' to refer to MLS-degreed librarians, library technicians, and library assistants. This project is open to bilingual Spanish/English speaking individuals who work in a public library setting including volunteers and other staff (approved by the library administration).   

I'd love to participate but do not live in one of the project partners' states. Can you help?

The cultural competence webinar series, clearinghouse of learning materials and samples, etc. will be made freely available online after the grant period ends. The project team is committed to continuing to offer guidance and support for libraries that will try to model this project for their own staff development training.

How much will this cost?

There is no cost for participation.

How can I register?

Please visit the project website: www.njstatelib.org/cccil  

Deadline to register is April 30, 2019.

Questions? Contact:

Paula Guzman-Bell, Project Coordinator for Cross Cultural Communicators in Libraries, New Jersey State Library, at 609-278-2640, x169, or ...@njstatelib.org" target="_blank">pguz...@njstatelib.org.

Mimi Lee, Project Director, Diversity and Literacy Consultant, New Jersey State Library, at 609-278-2640, x191, or ...@njstatelib.org" target="_blank">m...@njstatelib.org.

Forwarded by:

Sharon Rawlins, MLS

Youth Services Specialist for Lifelong Learning

NJ State Library

185 West State St.

P.O. Box 520

Trenton, NJ 08625-0520

...@njstatelib.org">sraw...@njstatelib.org

609-278-2640 ext. 116

609-278-2650 – fax