Alvarez, B. (2015).

Immigration services at the library: A new

approach to pathways to citizenship. Public Libraries Online.
Retrieved from:
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/11/immigration-services-atthe-library-a-new-approach-to-pathways-of-citizenship/
In this short article responding to Dankowskis piece called,
Librarians as Immigration Lawyers, Alvarez achieves a
balanced perspective. Presenting her readers with an overview of
the librarys expanding involvement in matters of social service,
Alvarez informs her readers about the incorporation of legal
services on that list. However, while she acknowledges the good
librarians can do when licensed in immigration law, she gently
reminds us that we cannot possibly provide every service
ourselves.
Asher, C. (2011). The progressive past: How history can help us serve
generation 1.5. Reference & User Service Quarterly , 51(1). 4348.
In this article, Asher parallels librarianship to social work by
explaining the influence libraries have on Generation 1.5.
Described as a generation made up of students who are not firstgeneration immigrants, yet not fully assimilated due to their
homes linguistic environment, Generation 1.5 is the focus of
many libraries efforts. Asher explains how understanding this
generation enables a bigger difference.
Bala, B. and Adkins, D. (2004). Library and information needs of
latinos in dunklin county, missouri. Public Libraries, 43(2). 119122.
By drawing from actual events in Dunklin County, Missouri- Bala
and Adkins establish the central role language plays in an
immigrants public library experience. In this particular article,
the authors highlight how the language barrier deters interaction
with public library services, while also providing examples of how
small, practical actions can counter this affect.
Bolick, J. (2015). Librarian, literature, and locality: Addressing language
barriers through readers advisory. North Carolina Libraries,
73(1). 1-11.
In Bollicks study she not only acknowledges the importance of
readers advisory in the library as a service, but also as a
formative bonding experience between librarians and their

patrons. By examining the impact that language has on North

Carolinian Readers Advisory services, Bollick encourages her
readers to do the same in their home libraries. The study closes
with an evaluative survey to aid in ones examination of their
own library and how it presently accommodates language
barriers, etc. in their services.
Burke, S. K. (2007). Use of public libraries by immigrants. Reference &
User Services Quarterly, 48(2). 164-174.
By using data collected through the Current Population Survey
(CPS), Burke
explores how public libraries can meet the needs of their
immigrant populations by maintaining current foreign language
collections, creating specialized programming to meet their
immediate needs and interests, providing a warm and welcoming
atmosphere, as well as actively reaching out to the community
whether it be through needs assessments or service outreach.
Burke, S. K. (2008). Public library resources used by immigrant
households. Public Libraries. 32-41.
In Burkes qualitative study she explains the surrounding
literature in immigrant public library use, but she also lays the
ground work onto which public librarians can mold their efforts to
help their immigrant populations. Beginning with an overview of
the services public libraries provide for this demographic, Burke
moves on to discuss the actual needs this population is looking
to have met, along with the barriers both they and library staffs
face.
Chapralis, S. (2014). Addressing immigrants information needs.
American Libraries. 11-12.
By focusing on the partnerships forged between public libraries,
specifically in Los Angeles, Hartford and Waukegan, and the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Chapralis highlights the many ways to support this demographic
in your community. She provides an overview of each partnership
within the above-mentioned communities along side specific
numbers and interactions with their immigrant population. The
explanation of each situation, paired with the results, helps one
to fully understand the benefits of these partnerships.
Danokowski, T. (2015). Librarians as immigration lawyers. American
Libraries. Retrieved from:

http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/librariansas-immigration-lawyers/
In this article, Danokowski covers everything from the what to
the how to the reasons why librarians pursue training in order
to provide legal immigration services to their patrons. With
specific examples and a break down of the accreditation process,
this article is truly informative. While Danokowski describes an
extreme scenario, she paints a picture of a future librarianship
and why it is and will be so important to communities all over the
United States.
Jaeger, P.T., Gorham, U., Taylor, N.G., Kettnich, K., Sarin, L.C., and
Peterson, K.J. (2014). Library research and what libraries actually
do now: Education, inclusion, social services, public spaces,
digital literacy, social justice, human rights, and other community
needs. Library Quaterly: Information, Community, Policy, 84(4).
491-493.
If you need a reminder as to why library and information science
is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference, this article is for
you. Directly referencing the editing process for Library Quarterly
throughout the years of its development, the authors of this
article work to remind its readers the beautiful side of any and all
trials LIS professionals face on a daily basis. Yes, we have been
forced to do more with less and take on more social
responsibilities, yet because of this we are given a voice in
addressing societal problems and playing out our roles in social
service.
Koerber, J. (2016). Celebration & integration. Library Journal. 48-51.
In this empowering article, Koerber works to redefine 21st
Century Community Service. By addressing the three key areas
of immigrant integration within the United States: Linguistic,
Economic and Civic, this article expresses the importance of
shifting public library immigration services, no matter how large,
from simply making referrals to actually providing collaborative
programs.
Libraries. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Retrieved from:
https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/organizations/libraries
This webpage not only overviews the partnership goals of USCIS
and IMLS, but it provides a number of suggestions as to what

libraries can do to make active progress. With numerous links to

resources, trainings, citizenship information sites, as well as
various employment links to aid immigrants in determining their
eligibility for various jobs, this cite is not only informative for
librarians, but their immigrant patrons as well.
Library services for immigrants: A report on current practices. The
Institute of Museum and Library Services and United State
Citizenship and Immigration Services. 1-7.
The result of a collaborative group of librarians working through
the IMLS and USCIS partnership, this document gives a step by
step guide to librarians on how they can help their immigrant
patrons. With an introduction that overviews, partnerships,
collections, information services, programs and events, outreach
and planning as the six target areas through which libraries can
reach this portion of their demographic, the article
communicates its advice effectively. Furthermore, the
supplemental examples that the working group includes
throughout the document helps encourage librarians to engage
with this advice in their own setting.
Naficy, H. (2009). Centering essential immigrant help on the library
web site: The American place (TAP) at Hartford public library.
Public Library Quarterly, 28. 162-175.
In this article, Naficy draws on the actual experiences at the
Hartford Public Library to communicate a new angle on the
digitization of immigration/citizenship forms. With visuals to
supplement thorough explanations of each stage of citizenship
that immigrants, as well as refugees, face, Naficy helps to
familiarize librarians with various difficulties this demographic
faces and ways they can actively help ease the process.
Peterson, K. J. (2014). Including the culturally excluded and socially
forgotten: Information services for spanish migrant workers in
the united states. Ibrary Quarterly: Information, Commuinty,
Policy, 84(3). 390-401.
Focusing her discussion on Latino Migrant Workers, Kaitlin
Peterson addresses the socioeconomic, regulatory, linguistic,
cultural, geographic and societal barriers that this demographic
faces in a nation where information equality is said to be
experienced unanimously. Furthermore, Peterson acknowledges
the many location dependent needs of migrant workers, while
still outlining basic resources libraries should look to provide.

Presenting a well-rounded perspective, Petersons article is

resourceful and informative.
Rosales, R. (2016). Cmo puedo ayudarle. Public Libraries, 55(1). 3133.
Rosales uses this short article to highlight the magnitude of
presence the Spanish language has within the United States. His
overview, as well as explanation of this demographic and the
varied takes on the services public libraries provide, helps one to
understand why it is so important for a librarian to strive to meet
this population halfway.
Ruhlmann, E. (2014). Connecting latinos with libraries. American
Libraries. 36-40.
In this article, Ruhlmann diligently explains the first hand and
diverse experiences of Latino interaction, or lack thereof, with
public libraries. In doing so, Ruhlmann dispels the belief that
being Latino is diversity enough and that much more diversity
lies within the demographic. Suggesting that librarians reach out
and build trust within their Latino communities before pushing
established programming, provides a much-needed perspective
in the literature on this topic.
Ruhlmann, E. (2014). Two success stories: A glimpse of community
engagement. American Libraries.
In this supplementary article, Ruhlmann explains how the
Waukegan and Denver Public Libraries have incorporated aspects
of the Latino culture into their immigrant services in order to
better serve their population. This article is short, but provides
concrete examples that any librarian could adapt to fit their own
communitys needs.
Serving new americans. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Retrieved from: https://www.imls.gov/issues/nationalinitiatives/serving-new-americans
This web page is a wonderful resource explaining the connection
between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services. It provides multiple
links back to USCIS, the Memorandum of Understanding
developed between the two organizations, as well as numerous
free online webinars (with dates and times) to expand the

knowledge base of their listeners, as well as keep them up to

date on new developments.
Shannon, C. (2011). To license or not to license? A look at differing
approaches to policing the activities of nonlawyer immigration
service providers. Cardozo Law Review, 33. 437-489.
In this review, Shannon delves into the many ways non-licensed
immigration service providers can do wrong by the immigrants
they are serving. While some of the examples provided in this
segment expose malicious acts against immigrants, many of the
examples Shannon highlights provide food for thought. By
familiarizing oneself with this content, a librarian will further their
ability to best help their immigrant population, as well as decide
whether or not the needs of their patron population calls for a
licensed staff member.
Witteveen, A. (2016). Word of mouth. Library Journal. 45-47.
With a focus on the numerous possibilities English Language
Learning (ELL) Programs bring to communities with large
immigrant populations, Witteveen calls her readers to action. She
stresses the role that word of mouth plays in determining the
most immediate needs of a community, as well as the
importance of moving this demographic from their assumed
position on the margins into active participation. This article is
short, but overflowing with real examples for practical
application.