BPL Expands Multilingual Programming & Services Across All Branches

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) announced this week that it will offer expanded multilingual programming and language access resources — including a family cultural program series and real-time Language Line interpretation services — in all 60 of its branches through a new partnership with Apple Bank.

Coney Island Library will host Quack … Cuac!, a bilingual (Spanish/English) children’s play on October 30, the first in a monthly series of multilingual family cultural programs to take place in library branches throughout the borough.

The event schedule also features an upcoming Russian Mother’s Day concert at Kings Highway Library; an Urdu family music program at Kensington Library; a Spanish-language theater program at Williamsburg Library for Dia de los Ninos; and others which will be announced soon.

“Brooklyn Public Library serves one of the most diverse communities in the world, and language access is among our foremost priorities,” said BPL President and CEO Linda Johnson. “We’re pleased to partner with Apple Bank to make it even easier for Brooklynites to access the many helpful resources and materials available in our branches.”

Language Line is a telephonic reference and referral service that allows speakers of different languages to communicate with the assistance of an interpreter. Beginning later this year, librarians and front-line staff in BPL’s 60 branches will use the service to assist patrons in 20 of Brooklyn’s most frequently spoken languages. Language Line is used by staff in various city agencies, including the dispatchers in New York’s 911 and 311 call centers.

In addition to the Language Line service, Apple Bank will fund the purchase of new ESOL materials and citizenship books for BPL’s New Americans Corners, which offer multilingual resources—including naturalization test study aids and information on various city, library and legal services—in easily accessible, well-trafficked areas of every public library in New York City.

Apple Bank is the second-largest state chartered savings bank in New York State with close to $12 billion in assets and 79 branches in greater New York. Apple Bank has 18 branch offices in Brooklyn.

“We are very gratified to partner with the Brooklyn Public Library and provide Brooklynites with access to the help and resources they need to achieve their dreams, whether these services are available in the BPL branches or our own Apple Bank branches,” said James Matera, Executive Vice President and Head of Apple Bank’s Consumer Banking Division.

Below is a flier for the upcoming Spanish-English children’s play at Coney Island Library:

Find more information about Brooklyn Public Library’s many multilingual programs and services here.