Juarez, Lorena E.

What Public Libraries can do to Help Reduce the Barriers Faced by

Immigrants

The American Library Association (ALA) lists three fundamental values of librarianship,

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. On their website, ALA defines diversity “in all its complexity

in order to recognize and honor the uniqueness of each ALA member, all members of our

profession, and our very diverse communities” (American Library Association, 2018).

Immigrants are often part of the diverse communities served by libraries that are unfortunately

underserved and underrepresented in the programs and services offered. With the assistance of

the 2020 U.S. Census, the American Immigration Council recognizes an estimated 44.9 million

immigrants residing in the United States (American Immigration Council, 2021). That translates

to 14% of the U.S. population identifying as immigrants. Through its most recent years, the

United States has seen an increase in its immigrant population, and it can be expected to continue

in the same pattern for years to come. With one in seven U.S. residents identifying as an

immigrant, it is important for the library to be aware of their needs in order to better serve the

immigrant community.

The top five countries of origin of U.S. immigrants are Mexico, India, China, the

Philippines, and El Salvador (American Immigration Council, 2021). Immigrants may come

from a country where they are not familiar with the library, or their libraries back home do not

offer the same services as those found in the U.S. The unfamiliarity in American library systems,

may make it challenging for the immigrant population to have complete trust in the library and

its staff. However, the Library’s Bill of Rights ensures that the best interest of all patrons is at the

forefront of all services and programs offered, regardless of their country of origin or

immigration status. It also guarantees complete “privacy and confidentiality in their library use”

(American Library Association, 2007). The library is a place for all, and its services should also
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be reflective of that. A study by Chunying Wang, et al., highlighted the importance of ensuring

the needs of immigrants being met. If not, they can have a hard time integrating into society

which could ultimately lead to social exclusion (Wang, C., et al., 2020, p. 1).

In their book, Serving New Immigrant Communities in the Library, Sondra Cuban (2007)

recognizes that immigrants are not a new community to the library. However, they have become

a “larger story” making it even more crucial that libraries are doing everything in their power to

ensure their informational needs are being met (p. 1). In order to do so, library professionals

must understand what those needs are and also be aware of the barriers immigrants may face

when accessing information. It is also important to recognize that not all immigrants are the

same. Not only can they be from different countries of origin, but they can also be in different

stages of their migration journey. This is something that can also influence their needs. In the

same study by Wang, they looked at how the dynamic of needs of immigrants changed with time

(Wang, C., et al., 2020, p. 4). Within recent arrival, immigrants are more likely to require

services and information about basic survival, such as housing information, or information that

will help them navigate the American education system. With time, their informational needs

focus more on social welfare and social status. Immigrants that have been longer might need

services and information more geared towards political participations and civic engagement.

When planning services, librarians should keep in mind the needs of immigrants in the varying

stages of their migration journey.

The reason it is key for library professionals to be aware of informational needs of

immigrants is allow them to better understand the barriers this community may face when

accessing information. Once there is consciousness of the hurdles the immigrant community may

face, they can develop the right types of programs and services that will truly make a difference.

One way librarians can examine the barriers immigrants face when accessing information's by
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focusing on the relationship between immigrants and the library. Similarly, in a study by Sussane

Grossman, they explored these relationships and the social determinants of health on different

levels (Grossman, S., 2022, p. 807). These four levels are at the individual level, the

interpersonal level, the community level, and the political level. Immigration is an intricate

matter. This type of organization is useful in helping break down the complexities of the topic,

allowing for a more in depth exploration of the barriers faced by the immigrant community.

On the individual level, librarians should pay special attention to the barriers that may

affect the behavior of the individual. One of the most common obstacles immigrants may face is

with their language skills. Low English proficiency can have an immense effect on the way

immigrants obtain their informational. It can also have a negative influence on their everyday

needs. Libraries can have a key role in language acquisition directly by offering conversation

classes or other types of programs aimed at improving immigrants’ English proficiency. Support

in language acquisition could provide immigrants with further opportunities in education access

and quality, which is one of the social determinants of health. Another way the library can assist

in the language acquisition of immigrants and/or non-native English speakers is explored in an

exploratory study of English Second Language (ESL) students. The author found that the library

is a place that provides the patrons with opportunities to improve their language skills in four

different areas: listening, speaking, writing, and reading (Bordonaro, K., 2006, p. 520). This is

something simple and straightforward that a library can provide to immigrants that will

ultimately lead to an increase in confidence and self-esteem. Another low stake accommodation

librarians can provide to immigrants is highlighted in a text by Nicole A. Cooke. They suggest

library staff avoid using colloquialism or slang when addressing patrons with low English

proficiency (Cooke, N., 2016 p. 57). This could help minimize any confusion when the patrons is

attempting to communicate with the library staff.

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Another obstacle that can be encountered on the individual level is lack of information

literacy. This is something that can stem from low English proficiency or low education levels.

Information literacy is particularly important when considering how it goes hand in hand with

health literacy. Health literacy is just as important considering the increase in e-health resources

that have become available. Having strong information and health literacy skills can ensure an

individual is adequately evaluating their resources. This will help warrant the best possible

decision when evaluating their resources. E-health literacy can help the person feel in control of

their health. In addition, it can make someone feel more involved in their healthcare needs. In an

article by EunYoung Yoo-Lee, et al (2016), they place an emphasizes on the position libraries

have with their communities that allows them to be the ideal candidates for assisting with

information literacy (p. 88). Librarians should extend their responsibility of educating users on

the proper evaluation of information to include immigrants by implanting programs that will

show them how to properly find reliable resources. By helping strengthen the information and

health literacy skills of immigrants, librarians are also improving their healthcare and quality,

which is another social determinant of health.

The interpersonal level analysis focuses on barriers that can impact how immigrants

interact and build relationships with others. Immigrants in the earlier stages of their immigration

journey may have small social networks. This may be because they can have a hard time

building trust. Poor communication skills can also be another disadvantage immigrants may

have. In a study conducted in 2011, a group of immigrant women were interviewed to

understand how the public library served them as a meeting place (Audunson, R. et al, 2011).

They focused on how the library can function as both a low intensive and high intensive meeting

place (p. 226). Viewing the library as two different kinds of meeting place allows for the

exploration of different benefits. In a high intensive meeting place, immigrants are interacting
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with members of the community who come from different cultural backgrounds than them. An

example of this is a meeting with friends or joining a library program that celebrates culture

different from their country of origin. On the other hand, a low intensive meeting place is where

immigrants can interact with individuals who have shared interests and cultures. In the study, this

was experienced when the library provides newspapers of immigrants’ home country (p. 22).

The newspaper corner became a place where people would gather to discuss news from back

home.

In a study mentioned earlier, it was found that the lack of extensive social networks leads

to immigrants relying on their personal networks to obtain essential information on subjects like

housing and healthcare (Wang, C., et al., 2020, p. 5). By allowing the library to be a welcoming

space, librarians are closing the gap of valuable information that might have otherwise been lost

if immigrants only relied on their personal networks. Ragnar Audunson (2011) describes the

library as “an institute that gives access to a broader specter of literary and cultural expressions

from both minority and majority cultures” (p. 220). This would not be possible if the library did

not present itself as a welcoming space to all. The conversations needed to help bridge different

cultures together would not occur if the immigrant community did not trust the library and its

staff. Library professionals should be aware of any bias they may possess that could prevent

immigrants from viewing the library as a space where they can extend their social networks.

Ensuring the library serves as a common ground for all, can improve a quality of another social

determinant of health, the neighborhood and physical environment.

Transitioning from the interpersonal level analysis, there is a broader level that when the

appropriate support and programs are offered could have a powerful impact on immigrants. The

community level analysis can help address the issues that impact another aspect of the social

determinants of health, which is social and community context. Immigrants may have a hard
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time adjusting to cultural norms and participating in community engagement. The difficulty

adjusting to a new community can cause homesickness and social exclusion. In an article

released by the Queens Library in 2008, the authors present all the initiatives the Queens Library

has taken to provide equity in access to its extraordinarily diverse community, a population from

over 190 different countries (Gitner, F. & Rosenthal, 2008). The library acknowledges the

significance of “assisting immigrants in the acculturation process” (p. 3), but it also recognizes

that it is only half of the battle. Cultural preservation is equally as urgent as cultural integration.

The United States has a history strongly rooted in immigration and has ethnically diverse

populations. Cultural preservation in the library can help strengthen the bridge between the

immigrants’ history and customs from home country and their new country. Diversity should be

celebrated not rejected. Through cultural integration in the library, staff is creating an accepting

and comfortable environment that allows immigrants to feel welcomed to explore. This will also

enable them to meet their informational needs. The Queens Library offers several examples of

low stakes and high stakes ways cultural integration and preservation can be achieved. Queens

Library celebrates diverse ethnic groups by offering programs such as music, dance, storytelling,

and presenting multicultural materials (Gitner, F. & Rosenthal, 2008). By hosting more

immersive programs, libraries also have the potential to promote community immersion and

engagement.

When patrons were interviewed about their experiences in the library, one immigrant

described the ways it helped them with their homesickness, “sometimes I feel like everything is

dark and quiet. Then I come to the library and see people sitting there talking together and it

gives me a good feeling.” (Audunson, R., et al, p. 224). Public library can help combat the

loneliness and emotional stress immigrants may experience is by including their heritage in the

collections and offering newspapers of their countries back home. The impact multicultural
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collections have shouldn’t be underestimated. They have the power to present the library as an

accepting space for all.

The final level of barrier analysis in the immigrant community is the political level

analysis. One of the major hurdles immigrants may encounter is political integration. This is an

area where immigrants' needs can differ depending on where they are in their immigration

journey. Someone who is early in their migration journey might need assistance understanding

their rights as an immigrant, or they may need classes to help them prepare for their citizenship

test. Later on, they might need more support in areas of civic engagement like registering to vote.

These are all areas that libraries can address through workshops. Libraries are in the ideal

position to offer such assistance because of their unique position in the community where all of

their services are offered free of any charge. Another strategy that could benefit immigrants on

the political level is through partnership and collaborations with other organizations (Chu, C.,

1999). Libraries can only offer so much, through outreach collaborations with other

organizations in the community, the number of successful and useful services offered can

increase. Often librarians aren’t offered the proper training to educate immigrants on the

legislative systems and all its intricacies. This is where it would be beneficial to reach out to

organizations who may specialize in immigration rights or other areas of interest. Proper civic

engagement and knowledge of the American political system has the ability to benefit another

social determinant of health, economic stability.

The barriers explored earlier are just a few of the difficulties immigrants may encounter

when attempting to meet their informational needs. It is also important to acknowledge that there

may be other unprecedented barriers immigrants may encounter. The needs of a community

should never be simply assumed, especially when serving a community that little may be known

about. It is key to actually consider the needs of the community when developing programs.
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Author Sondra Cuban offers several recommendations of different forms of data collection and

analysis such as, “gathering demographic data, being an observer, as well as conducting

interviews, focus groups, and surveys” (p. 42). As mentioned earlier, country of origin and how

far they may be in their immigration journey can also be factors taken into consideration when

designing programs and services. No two communities are alike; therefore, each library should

listen to the feedback of their community to ensure the programs, services, and collections are

meeting the information needs of that community.

Author Nicole A. Cooke (2017) states the following:

If the organization is not welcoming or understanding of patrons who are

marginalized or somehow exist outside of the accepted culture, these potential users will

not frequent the library, no matter how wonderful the programs or extensive the

collection. (p. 48)

Offering a welcoming and safe space in perhaps one of the most crucial things a library can do.

Without it, the conversations that need to be had and the benefits the library can bring will be

nonexistent. The public library has a very unique place in the community. It offers free unlimited

resources, and it is widely accessible to large part of the U.S. population. The ALA is founded on

core values that further emphasize the librarians’ responsibility in helping minimize the obstacles

immigrants face when meeting their informational needs. Some of these values include providing

equal and equitable access to resources, valuing the nation’s diversity, respect for intellectual

freedom, promoting lifelong learning, and upholding a social responsibility to help solve

problems in society (ALA, 2019). These commitments make library professionals powerful

partners in ensuring immigrants’ informational needs are being served to their fullest potential.
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American Immigration Council. (2021, September). Immigrants in the United States, American
Immigration Council. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/immigrants-
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