University of Denver (University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education)

In this Early Career Research Development project, Dr. Keren Dali of the University of Denver will investigate how public library staff can more effectively serve multilingual communities in culturally and linguistically sensitive areas. Working with staff at the New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, and Pueblo City-County Library District, Dr. Dali will design and execute a qualitative survey of library staff who work with multilingual patrons and a qualitative survey of multilingual patrons in the three partner library systems. The study will result in the development of a framework for library staff to study multilingual communities effectively and efficiently; evidence-based recommendations for library managers on the diversity audit of multilingual collections; and evidence-based recommendations for developing a staff training certificate that enhances cultural knowledge of every staff member, irrespective of their language proficiency. Library staff who interact with and provide services to multilingual patrons will benefit from this project.