Project Welcome
Broward County Library, Fla.
Innovation Synopsis
Project Welcome is designed to make library services relevant and accessible to Broward’s newcomers and English Language Learners (ELL) through the development of programs and service in other languages. Programs and materials targeted to newcomers afford them library access as their language skills develop.
Challenge/Opportunity
The number of newcomers to South Florida, including Broward County, is constant and increasing and many of those are ELL. While Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese speaking families are the largest non-English speaking communities in Broward, library services in these languages are currently limited. Project Welcome is designed to fill that gap by connecting newcomers to resources that can help them thrive and succeed in their new communities.
Key Elements of Innovation
Project Welcome is divided into two parts. Part 1/Engaging welcomes newcomers and their families, and Part 2/Transitioning offers programs and services that ensure family success. Part 1 includes materials in Spanish, Haitian Creole and Portuguese introducing new users to Broward County Library’s resources as well as Welcome Ambassadors, volunteers to help guide newcomers as they adjust to living in Broward. Part 2 provides a series of program in three languages which focus on jobs, computer skills and education.
Achieved Outcomes
Project Welcome will show newcomers that Broward County Library plays an essential role in the community and that the library is a safe, welcoming, free place to access resources and services that can make adjusting to their new home easier. It will encourage our community’s newcomers to leverage Broward County Library’s resources to become acclimated and engaged in their new communities and foster a sense of inclusion and welcome.