ALI Information Literacy Committee Task Force
This guide was created by a task force of the Academic Libraries of Indiana Information Literacy Committee.
Task Force Members:
Eric Bradley | Goshen College / PALNI
Anna Brinegar | Ivy Tech Community College
Catherine Pellegrino | Saint Mary's College
Resources for Refugees
English Language Learning (in person)
English Language Learning (online)
Statewide Resources
- Indiana Refugee ServicesProvides assistance and services to refugees, asylees. Inquiries about the Indiana Refugee Services program can be directed to 855-673-0193 extension 5831 or 5838.
Want to donate or volunteer? This website has a list of Indiana organizations that assist new refugees/humanitarian parole across Indiana.Contact these groups to help. - Indiana Immigration Legal ResourcesList of organizations across Indiana that provide legal assistance with immigration issues.
Resources for People Working Directly with Refugees
Collections, programs, and events that public libraries can offer refugees.
Collections:
- English language instructional materials
- Citizenship and immigration resources
- Tutor resource materials
- Dictionaries in multiple languages
- Novels translated into other languages
- “How-to” books in multiple languages
- Periodicals and newspapers in different languages
- Information on various ethnic groups and cultures
- Original source materials
- Music and video resources
- Forms, brochures, and directories for community services
Programs and Events:
- Community resources seminars
- “American Issues” and civics discussion groups
- Cultural activities and holiday events
- On-site English language and citizenship classes
- Conversation-practice groups
- Free seminars by immigration lawyers
- Book clubs
- Voter education seminars
- Health seminars
- Family literacy programs
- Computer literacy programs
Public spaces with technology / internet access
Resources for People Who Want to Help But Not Currently Working Directly with Refugees
Organizations coordinating local refugee resettlement efforts:
National Organizations:
- Welcome.USA national non-profit initiative launched to channel support to newly arrived Afghans and their families. Includes opportunities to donate time and resources, sponsor a family, or host refugees in one’s home.
Indiana Organizations, Indianapolis:
- Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc.Requesting financial support for Camp Atterbury (call 317-247-3559) as well as seeking household items for refugees.
- Catholic Charities Indianapolis - Refugee & Immigrant ServicesRequesting donations for household items
- Burmese American Community InstituteIncludes Center for Integration and Community Development. Requesting financial donations
Indiana Organizations, Northern Indiana:
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend - Immigration & Refugee ServicesRequesting financial donations, household items, and volunteer time in tutoring, mentoring, and hosting refugees. See Refugee Volunteer Opportunities list
- The Welcome Network (Hammond, Ind.) - Afghan Refugee Resettlement“The biggest impact you can have is through engaging for the long term.” Seeking volunteers to help tutoring, mentoring, and assistance with their Welcome Home. See Volunteer Opportunities
Ways to support local refugee resettlement efforts:
- Financial donations
- Household items
- Transportation
- Hosting refugees in one’s home
- Mentorship
- Tutoring
- English as a Second Language instruction
Resources for Community Members
- Immigrants in IndianaFacts and figures of immigrants in our state from the American Immigration Council.
News coverage about the resettlement project in Indiana
Information about how refugee resettlement works in the United States in general:
Primary organizations in Indiana who are helping the refugees get resettled:
Fiction titles:
- 10 Books By or About Refugees and ImmigrantsBy Emily Pullen, Reader Services Coordinator, NYPL, September 2020
- 25 Great Books By Refugees in AmericaNew York Times, January 2017
Resources for Library Workers
Library Vocabulary
- Multilingual Glossary of common library termsUse to create library signage or communicate with patrons. Glossary is in English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese French, Spanish, Arabic, & Vietnamese
- English definitions of common library vocabularyExplains common library terms for new English learners
- Digital Literacy VideosVideos in Arabic, Dari, Spanish, Burmese, and more. Use to help patrons with accessing technology. Also include work readiness videos in multiple languages.
Resources from INSPIRE
- Consumer Health Information in multiple languagesAt "Search by Subject" page, browse World Languages section
- Read It! DatabaseArticles about history, life skills, literature, science and more, written for anyone who has a basic foundation in English grammar and reading but needs adapted reading material
- Citizenship Exam and Green Card ebooksAt "Test & Career Prep" page, browse Adult Core Skills > Become a U.S. Citizen content
Citizenship Info and Tools
- Library Outreach from U.S. Citizenship & Immigration ServicesTraining opportunities and immigrant related educational materials for libraries
- Order a Free Civics and Citizenship Toolkit for your libraryStudy tools for the U.S. Citizenship exam
Program Ideas
- English Conversation GroupsLearn tips how to start and run a group
- Host event with local organizations that support refugees/immigrants
- Storytime:
Storytimes in Arabic, Spanish, etc; bilingual storytimes. Storytime using immigrant/refugee focused stories
- Citizenship Prep ClassesFind training to teach citizenship classes
Resources to start or enhance services for New Americans at your library
- New Americans Library ProjectStudy & white paper with suggestions on how to provide and assess library services to new Americans.
- Celebrating Welcoming Week: a Guide for LibrariesProgram ideas, book collection suggestions, examples of marketing, case studies of public library services or events, and more info.
- Library Services for Immigrants A Report on Current PracticesThis report identifies current practices in library services for immigrants and offers ideas for libraries that wish to provide programs and services for immigrants living in their communities.
- Project Welcome: Libraries Serving Refugees and Asylum Seekers SummitResearch posters on current practices of libraries serving refugees
- Beyond the Welcome Sign: Tailoring Immigrant Services for SuccessRecorded webinar & resources
Book & Display Ideas
- Books on the Refugee CrisisElementary & YA titles from Holocuast & Human Rights Center
- Books To Help Kids Understand what it’s like to be a refugeePicture book & middle grade
- Children's Picture Books: Stories Set In AfghanistanPicture books
- Book list from Social Justice Books projectElementary & YA titles
Examples of other Public Library services/websites for immigrants and refugees