Census provides inspiration for library to help immigrants

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

As the 2015 Census results were made public, the data gathered not only provided town council with valuable information before heading into their fall budget process, but the Strathmore Municipal Library also utilized the material in accommodating the immigrant population within the community.
While the census proved useful in providing details on a climbing population and variances among age groups, it also categorized languages spoken in Strathmore. Although just over 97 per cent of Strathmore’s 13,327 population speaks English, the Filipino community attracted attention with 44 households – or 1.01 per cent – speaking Tagalog, the second most spoken language in the town.
As a result and in conjunction with the Wheatland Interagency Meeting, the library partnered up with the Foothills Community Immigrant Services (FCIS) to provide translated materials and special immigrant packages.
“Often when you move to a new country, you’re thinking about getting your home started and getting your kids into school and some of those little extras sometimes get put on the backburner,” said Carmen Erison,
“Having an opportunity like this and being able to welcome them to the library a little bit more and integrate them is handy. If we can draw them into the library and show them all of the wonderful free programs that we have, I think it would help.”
With the help of FCIS, the library translated their original library brochure and program brochure, as well as a bookmark with titles of books in the international collections, into Tagalog and Spanish. The library also created immigration packages that include a free one-year family membership, which was also translated into the two languages.
By offering these materials, the library hopes to see more immigrants take advantage of their international book collection and free programs.
Having already volunteered with the Strathmore 55 Plus Alberta Summer Games and the Superhero Clean-up, the Filipino Association in Strathmore also wants to be more visible within the community.
“I met some people who want to learn Tagalog, now I tell them there are some books available in the library, so if you want I can teach you how to read that if you like,” said Carlos Bongala, president of the association.
“We want to let the Strathmore community know that the Filipino community wants to share, because we’re part of that community. We want to help as much as we can.”
The library collection also carries books in Punjabi and French. By offering the packages, Erison hopes more immigrants will make their way to the library, which is not the case currently.
“We wanted to really kind of hone in on that community because we know that the library can offer them many great services that they might not know of,” Erison said.
“It’s a small collection that we have, but it’s something and we want new immigrants to know that they are completely welcome to come.”
If anyone knows of new immigrants in the community who could benefit from this opportunity, they are encouraged to call Nancy Risdon with FCIS at 403-938-4699.