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Language Access at Austin Public Library Baylor Johnson, Public Information & Marketing Program Manager Presentation to Austin Library Commission, May 2025 Contains slides by Diania Miranda-Murillo, World Languages Selector Overview: • Language Access requirements and processes for City of Austin Departments • Unique situations and challenges for Austin Public Library • Programming in languages other than English. Language Access at City of Austin Language Access policy set forth in Administrative Bulletin Number 22-02 The City of Austin Communication and Public Information Office (CPIO), through its Language Access Program, oversees and coordinates all language access services for City departments. The program provides support, guidance, and assistance, staff training, as well as a wide range of resources. Services & Resources through CPIO • Supports all city departments in development and implementation of Department-specific Language Access Plans, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and policies, incl. CoA Language Access Policy and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 • Negotiates and contracts with vendors for interpretation and translation services. • Coordinates and leads quarterly meeting with department Language Access SPOCs. • Administers the “iSpeak Austin” live remote interpretation service • Collects and reports language access data iSpeak Austin Austin Public Library Language Access Plan • Last updated January 2023 (due for revision this year) • Sets forth Library’s goal and strategies around language access “The Library’s Goal is to provide meaningful access for customers to successfully use and benefit from Library information, programs, services, and materials.” Austin Public Library Language Access SPOC: Baylor Johnson, Public Info. & Mktg. Pgm. Mgr. Language Access at APL Language Service Interactions, By the Numbers: In the first 3 months of 2025, APL Staff reported: •2,061 Direct Service language interactions (communicating directly with a customer in a language other than English) •17 in-person interpretation interactions (staff or a contractor interpreting between an English and non-English speaker) •13 phone interpretation interactions (an interpreter over the phone, interpreting between an English-speaking employee and a non-English speaking customer, such as through the iSpeak Austin service) •1 video-based ASL interpretation The overwhelming majority of these interactions took place in Spanish, but other languages represented include ASL, Japanese, French, Portuguese, and Tamil The primary objective of the World Language Collection is to support and serve the informational needs of migrant groups, refugee communities, international students, second and subsequent generations to preserve the language, culture and identity of these communities. APL’s World Languages Collection The World Languages Collection aligns with the Austin Public Library’s Materials Selection Policy and supports the Comprehensive Library Strategic + Facilities Plan (2023). World Language Collection Data • Total collection size = 99,000 print & media items (digital items separate from this total) • $202,000 for World Languages Collection materials purchasing in 2025 Languages Available: • Arabic • Chinese Simplified • Chinese Traditional • French • German • Gujarati • Hebrew • Hindi • Italian • Japanese • Korean • Marathi • Polish • Portuguese • Spanish • Russian • Tamil • Turkish • Ukrainian • Vietnamese Programs in Languages Other than English World Cultures & Languages Programming Team, led by World Language Librarian Diana Miranda-Murillo, creates programming in languages other than English to create spaces and experiences for people in the community who speak other languages, including: • Quinceanera series • German book club • Ukranian book club • Community Story Hours: Turkish, Ukranian, Arabic • Sister City, Angers France (book exchange) • Japanese Calligraphy and mindfulness workshop • Cuentos en Pijama (Remote) and All Spanish story time at APH. These are the activities, events or programs that will be delivered in its entirety in the Language spoken by the target community. Bilingual programming is not part of the scope of this presentation nor programming about cultural traditions in English. What do we mean when we are talking about Programs in Languages Other than English? Why does programming in languages other than English matters? Reflects the linguistic diversity of the community Fosters inclusivity and belonging Increases library engagement and attendance Serve as a bridge between our World Languages collections and its target community Planning programs in a Language other than English: things to consider Know your community: demographic information, observation Select programs relevant to communities that speak languages other than English Indentify resources: community partners, staff, volunteers Promote to these communities: APL social media, Facebook cultural groups, cultural associations, flyers, newspapers, etc. Baylor Johnson Public Information & Marketing Program Manager Baylor.Johnson@austintexas.gov 512 974 7319 library.austintexas.gov