The population of the United States is growing at an exponential rate. As we continue to grow, the population becomes more and more diverse. It is the job of the public libraries to accommodate to the residents of an area, and this means they must begin to carry books that will appeal to a broader scope. I recently read an article on the USA Today website about the issue. “’We have always been concerned with new and emerging communities’ said Loriene Roy, president-elect of the ALA. ‘Libraries were writing pamphlets back in 1910 on how to serve their immigrant communities. It’s part of our legacy and part of our history.’” Libraries seem to be a safe haven for non-English speaking Americans. People can find literature in their own language or maybe even find books that can help better their English. Film, music, and news in other languages and of other cultures would help to make immigrants feel more at home and help to broaden the horizons of other library patrons. This would benefit everyone and is a great way to spend library funds. I would love it if UNCW took steps to bring more information in from outside the United States.
