FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) announced the launch of its newly redesigned Cultural Connection website. ACPL describes it as a digital destination showcasing programming, partnerships, and learning resources for non-English speakers.
The launch coincides with Welcoming Week, a community-wide celebration of Fort Wayne and Allen County as welcoming, diverse, and inclusive places for all people. Welcoming Week is led by Welcoming Fort Wayne, a community initiative aiming to decrease social, cultural, and economic barriers and maximize the potential of all Allen County residents.
“We live in a growing, diverse community, much of it shaped by immigrants and refugees,” said ACPL Partnership and Programs Specialist Esteban Coria. “Our goal is to remove barriers and expand access to books, services, and programs so everyone knows they belong at ACPL.”
The following was released:
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 13.7% of Allen County residents speak a language other than English at home – roughly 54,000 people. Coria points out that these newcomers are best served when they have access to resources in their native language while they are learning English.
The new site highlights relevant programs, bilingual and multilingual resources, partnerships, literacy/language tools, and community services. It is presented in commonly spoken languages in Allen County including Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, English, French, German, Karen, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
“All of Allen County benefits from a connected, educated, and prosperous community, including newcomers. The Cultural Connection site celebrates the vibrancy they bring to our community, while also supporting English language acquisition. When all of our neighbors are included, all of Allen County succeeds.” said Coria.
The launch supports key pillars of the 2024–28 ACPL Strategic Plan “Allen County’s Window to Lifelong Learning and Discovery” including creating a culture of belonging by highlighting collections, services, and spaces representing our community and reflecting its diversity in cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. It can be accessed HERE
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