A FORUM FOR COMMUNITY ISSUES : Making a Difference : One Library’s Approach: Greet a Changing Community With Open Arms

Los Angeles County Library’s Gardena branch responds to an influx of Korean immigrants and helps the community deal with the frustrations of change.

Spring 1989: Driving to her job as manager of the Los Angeles County Library’s Gardena branch, Julie Fu notices a proliferation of Korean signs along Western Avenue. She and the library staff apply for a state grant to reach out to this community. Fu identifies and gathers local Korean leaders to determine immigrant needs, and a bilingual survey is delivered to Korean residents.

Summer 1989: Survey indicates need for Korean-speaking librarian and information about American education system and business. Also, materials about jobs, learning English and starting small businesses as well as clarification of what a public library is. “They are surprised at the concept of public libraries,” said Fu. “In South Korea, libraries are used for academic purposes.”

Fall 1989: State denies library’s Korean-American Research and Education (KARE) grant proposal, but Los Angeles County offers to pick up the tab.

June 1990: Korean-speaking KARE librarian Katie Kim reports for work, providing translation services for local organizations as needed.

1990-91: Library holds seminars on the American education system, writes bilingual phrase books, installs donated Korean-language best-seller lists for books available in Korean.

The mayor, hearing complaints from the Chamber of Commerce about the aloofness of Korean business owners, cites library as a model of community outreach.

October 1992: KARE collection contains 5000 books, 200 audio cassettes, 100 video cassettes, 20 periodicals. Its best-seller lists and the bilingual phrase book are distributed to libraries countywide. After an informal meeting with library staff and Korean service organizations, the Chamber of Commerce reports increased involvement of Korean businesses in chamber activities.

Determining and Responding to a Changing Community’s Needs

UNDERSTAND YOUR COMMUNITY: Be alert for demographic and economic changes. Learn about local resources, including public-access cable and non-English language television, radio stations and newspapers. Get to know social, educational, cultural, religious, recreational and service organizations.

ASK OTHERS FOR HELP: Talk to citizens and community leaders, organize a public meeting to discuss local needs; conduct a survey if possible.

IDENTIFY NEEDS: Using community knowledge and feedback, define the most urgent needs, but watch for bias-resist projecting personal or organizational agendas into the process, or at least acknowledge them openly. Distinguish real, current community needs from outdated concerns.

ADAPT: Revise group or institutional goals and practices to respond to the changing community. For example, the addition of Korean-language signs at the Gardena Library increased Korean patronage.