As of 2016, more than 43 million immigrants were living in the US, and that number is growing. Immigration can breathe new life into the local economy as young workers replace retiring baby boomers, open new businesses, and become active consumers. Libraries can ease immigrants’ transition into the community by acting as a resource hub. Asset mapping encourages libraries to go out into their communities and uncover and assess the resources available to immigrants. The information they gather gives the insight libraries need to develop programming to serve these patrons and help them thrive. This webinar will discuss how asset mapping can facilitate community entry for immigrants by helping libraries better understand the needs of this population and address those needs through service and program development.   

Presenters from Halifax Public Libraries:

• Heather MacKenzie, Manager, Diversity Services
• Amanda Fullerton, Manager, Eastern Shore & Musquodoboit Valley Library Service
• Kenneth Williment, Branch Manager, Sackville Public Library and Acting Manager, Tantallon and Hubbards

This webinar is hosted in collaboration with TechSoup for Libraries.

Access Recording

• View Webinar Recording (You will be prompted to login to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
  
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.
• Asset Mapping Template (doc)

Related Resources and Links

• The Community-Led Libraries Toolkit is a free downloadable e-book that describes methods for libraries to work with low-income communities through a community development approach.
• Asset Mapping Template (doc)
• Welcome to the Library videos from Halifax Public Libraries
• Newcomers webpage on Halifax Public Libraries
  
• Immigrant Asset Mapping at Halifax Public Libraries, feature by Jim Lynch, TechSoup for Libraries
• Community-Led Libraries - collection of resources on WebJunction
  
• For a look at Halifax Public Libraries' asset mapping questions, see appendix A in Asset Mapping at Halifax Public Libraries: A Tool for Beginning to Discover the Library's Role with the Immigrant Community in Halifax
• Ken Williment also co-wrote the book Developing Community-Led Public Libraries
• The Canadian Library Association Community-Led Library Service Network has a listing of several additional community-led projects from other Canadian libraries.
• Related WebJunction webinars, with numerous links to additional resources:
  
  • Community Engagement: Serving Diverse Communities Where They Are
  • Beyond the Welcome Sign: Tailoring Immigrant Services for Success
• Kitty Yancheff of Humboldt County Library, created a helpful set of Community and Library Services Analysis Tools
• ALA has been partnering with the The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation in recent years, to explore ways that libraries can engage with their communities. The Libraries Transforming Communities initiative aims to help libraries turn outward and better leverage their trusted position in the community to engage people on issues that matter to them. There are a number of excellent tools made available to all, including the Step-By-Step Guide to Turning Outward to Your Community and Public Innovators Lab Workbook.
• Community Leader Interview Guide (from WebJunction's Spanish Language Outreach project)
• Design Thinking for Libraries