The ESL Conversation Cafe a public library program

The ESL Conversation Cafe: a public library program for Henrico County’s immigrant community Steven Carter-Lovejoy and Kate Mc. Clory Henrico County Public Library

Purpose • Henrico County has many foreign born, non-native English speakers moving into the county • More than 11% of Henrico County residents are foreign-born • The Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) wanted to reach this underserved population Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Concept HCPL developed the ESL Conversation Café as • a unique learning opportunity with meaningful impact to supplement traditional ESL classes • a program that can be sustained with reasonable resources (=cheap) • Minimal library staff with no ESL training using volunteers Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Description • Implemented on a monthly basis at 2 HCPL branches, beginning in 2010 Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County’s Tuckahoe Library Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County’s Dumbarton Library (R. I. P. ) Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County’s New Libbie Mill Library Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Description We use volunteers and staff to facilitate conversations with non-native English speaking immigrants Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Description • Intended for participants with high-beginning to intermediate speaking ability • Dumbarton uses a registration form – an initial interview using simple questions to assess a participant’s ability to converse Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

ESL Conversation Cafe Intake Form Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Description • Email reminders to participants and volunteers • Provide light refreshments • Provide library tools to facilitate conversations including atlases, dictionaries and ipads Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Description • Promote ESL learning tools such as language CDs and DVDs • Promote the county’s adult education and community ESL classes • Encourage participants to get library cards • Promote other library programs such as Book Discussions and Children’s Programs Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Description At Tuckahoe: • We establish separate tables of conversation each with 1 -2 American volunteers and 1 -5 immigrants • Conversations are free-form, and allowed to spin as they will (with volunteer guidance) • We encourage library tours following meeting Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Description • At Dumbarton we provide a more structured experience • We generally start together in a circle Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

• ESL Conversation Cafe Discussion Guide • Other topics include: • School • The Beach • Holidays • Pet Peeves Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

• ESL Conversation Cafe Bingo Card • Topic: Halloween Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

“Life’s a Beach!” Discussion Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Promotion • Typical library channels – in-library signs, library website, 3 x/year program guide • Flyers widely distributed to • ESL programs in schools and churches • Ethnic markets & community centers • Flyer distribution assistance by volunteers and participants Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

ESL Conversation Cafe Typical Flyer (also provided in quarter-sheet format) Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Results/success of program • Attendance averages 2 -6 participants (up to 21), 1 -3 volunteers • Who participates • Broad diversity, over 60 countries represented so far • Asia and Latin American most common, Europe and Africa also wellrepresented • • Most are well-educated, but many exceptions Both genders well-represented Both regulars and one-timers Many speak only their native language with family at home Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Results/success of program • Recognition • Local media • Richmond Times Dispatch article • Henrico TV documentary • 2014 Awards from National Association of Counties & Virginia Association of Counties Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe Recognition

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Results/success of program • Heartwarming immigrant stories • Personal successes • Helping others/building community • Participation in other library programs • Rewarding for staff and volunteers Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe

Henrico County Public Library’s ESL Conversation Cafe