Libraries as Linguistic and Cultural Community Centers

It comes as no surprise that public perception of libraries is shifting – drastically. Libraries are no longer just houses for books. As communities and technologies evolve, libraries must keep up with the changes to remain centers for lifelong learning. As a result, many libraries are doing everything they can to provide cultural resources and learning opportunities for the increasingly diverse communities they serve – and survey results show the changes are working.

In this white paper, we will explore different ways that libraries can serve as multicultural hubs for their community, with examples from libraries across the United States, including:

• In-Person Language Classes and Conversation Groups
• Foreign Movie Nights
• Cultural Exhibits and Events
• Read around the World
• Story Times
• And more