STEPH - We lived in Montgomery County, Maryland for many years and interacted regularly with the numerous Libraries there. Several of them were very clever in devising ways to attract folks who would not ordinarily seek a local library or encourage their children and teenagers to explore the world through the library shelves and special programs devoted to specific learning opportunities. Friends at the Library of Congress in Washington also reached out to their neighborhoods after they completed their professional duties during the week and often hosted small gatherings at schools, the Y or other local organizations. My husband has been visiting friends in Maryland during the past week and one of the first places he headed was to our former neighborhood library. He laughingly reported it was a crowded as always and tons of kids were roaming around carrying stacks of books.
I also recall that in a County (like our former one in Maryland), where there were numerous folks from various countries, who were non-English speakers, some of the business establishments also worked to bring a love of books to these folks by hosting small reading groups on the premises of their businesses. Several of the Jewish synagogues and Islamic mosques in the area also held multicultural programs and reached out to fellow groups, as well as folks quite unlike themselves to bring about a clearer understanding. And, of course, to take advantage of a range of English language classes hosted by their facilities. Many of the Christian churches also participated and when the nearby University of Maryland (my home institution for 25 years) welcomed Fulbright Scholars or international students, the local groups ALWAYS made sure the new folks were aware of how welcome they were to attend religious services or community programs of a non-religious nature. Sometimes IT TAKES A VILLAGE, but often on a smaller scale there are some wonderful opportunities awaiting.
Perhaps if your Library closes early, nearby businesses might step forward and host reading events or other public programs designed for specific age groups or adults who simply want to learn. I remember sitting on the floor of a real estate office in Maryland, surrounded by folks from Vietnam, Nigeria and Ethiopia - all of whom wanted to learn basic English. They had their kids with them so it was a large group, but we had many good laughs together as they repeated basic English words after me.
HI BABI - don't feel too bad, since according to several news reports I've watched clearly showed that numerous folks did NOT realize that Muslims also lost their lives on 9-11. Chaps sent a prayer request two days ago from Iraq asking for blessings for his soldiers who were in a firefight at Fallujah (Iraq) AND for the civilian Iraqi Muslim contractors who work on post with the US military. He reaches out in creative ways whenever he can - like during the recent month-long celebration of the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan - while keeping a keen eye on the needs of his military men and women.
Indeed, Muslims around the world are enormously different in their cultural lives. Those from the Middle East are not always similar to their religious brethren in East Asia (especially the Phillipines). Moderate Muslims (from many world regions) are NOT as rigid in their customs as those raised in the ultra-orthodox environment of Saudi Arabia. And, of course, personality and family customs have an enormous impact on one's behavioral outreach to others.
In comparing the centuries of warfare world-wide, I remember reading about how horrible some of the Christian battles were to those of "other" beliefs. "Off with their heads," is NOT just a contemporary slang term, but one of sad reality in a region as close to us as Mexico.
Hard to believe!
CAROLYN - Wiggle and Rhyme is such a terrific title. I wonder if the Head of our local Library system is aware of it. She sends me info regularly about their Friends of the Library Program, so I'm going to mention it to her.
Mahlia
