Description:

Communicating with patrons can be hard enough when everyone is speaking English. It can be even more difficult when the patron is a non-native English speaker.

In this interactive and informative program, we will address five common types of non-native English speakers and their particular service needs. We will also discuss best practices for front-end staff when assisting bilingual patrons, including methods that facilitate communication when staff speak the target language and when they do not. In addition, the presenters will provide examples of programs and services that serve speakers of other languages.

As a result of this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify the needs of non-native English speaking patrons
• Facilitate customer service interactions when another language is involved
• Develop programs and services that address bilingual patrons’ needs

Presenter:

Sarah Brubaker is a Library Associate at the Dacula Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library . She learned Spanish as her second language and is studying American Sign Language as her third. Sarah coordinates language programs at her library.

Victoria Montes de Oca Perez is the Branch Manager of the Lilburn Branch of Gwinnett County Public Library. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and co-coordinates language programming at GCPL.

Registration:

This event will take place online. Please register via the PCI Webinars link to receive login information. Please note that subscription to this webinar is proprietary to South Carolina library staff. Do not share the connection link on public listservs, Facebook groups, or other online training calendars.

Cost:

Free

Accessibility:

If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please contact the organizer at least two weeks prior to the event.

Questions about the event?

Please contact the Continuing Education Consultant Tiffany Hayes