An East Brunswick Public Library patron works with the Pronunciator program, part of the library’s Global Connection program, which offers members the chance to learn up to 80 foreign languages. MICHAEL NUNES/STAFF EAST BRUNSWICK — The East Brunswick Public Library is taking steps to bridge the gap in the township’s diverse population.
“We have so many people from other countries who were doctors or engineers [in their home country] coming here,” Jill D’Amico, adult services librarian, said about new arrivals acclimating to the community.
Funded by a grant from the American Library Association (ALA), Global Connections is a program of online resources and library-sponsored workshops meant to teach library patrons about different cultures.
The program aims not only to give East Brunswick residents a chance to learn other languages, but also to help acclimate recent immigrants to life in the township.
Global Connections will also provide those new to the country the opportunity to participate in advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) classes as well as offer library members the opportunity to use the Pronunciator language learning software. Through online lessons, patrons can choose any of the 80 languages offered by the program, which include Spanish, French, Italian and Hindi.
Pronunciator can also be accessed through home computers as well as via the library website, www.ebpl.org.
There is also an app available through Apple, Android and Kindle Fire, which will allow users to access the programs on the go.
The library will also host a variety of workshops to get new residents acclimated to the area, showing them how to get their children enrolled in school as well as where the closest hospital is.
Future plans include hosting workshops in the fall centered on helping residents with their English pronunciation and learning useful English-language terms for business.
From Aug. 4 through Sept. 22, the library will offer a casual conversation workshop to improve the everyday English of new residents. The Accent Workshop will be held Sept. 21 through Oct. 12.
These are also available free of charge for members of the library.
According to D’Amico, the library is often the place where new residents come to get information regarding the town.
This led D’Amico to apply to the ALA for funding for the program. For the future, she said she would like to see the library become a force in welcoming new members to the community.
“I would like to create a sustainable, welcoming resource that people can count on to get acclimated, get information, help them look for jobs,” D’Amico said.
“The library is a valued resource for people that come from other countries. The idea that we have this free public library is a great one, and people appreciate it. I want to create a lasting community center so that people can connect to their community.”