Resources for Libraries

ALA Resources

• Writing Immigrants: An electronic discussion
  A debate with five specialists in the field of immigrant literature, developed as a blog in June 2005.
   
• Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
  ALSC is a network of more than 4,000 children's and youth librarians, children's literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and other adults committed to improving and ensuring the future of the nation through exemplary library service to children, their families, and others who work with children.
   
• Young Adult Library Service Association (YALSA)
  YALSA’s mission is to advocate, promote and strengthen service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to this population.
  

Other Resources

• An Immigrant Class: Oral Histories from Chicago's Newest Immigrants by Jeff Libman (2004)
  Jeff Libman teaches English as a Second Language at Truman College in Chicago. This book is a collection of interviews of his former students. The students talk about their immigrant experiences and the struggles they faced along the way. This award winning book focuses on Chicago, but its themes are universal. A related website features a teacher's guide.
  
  
• Office of Citizenship, a Bureau of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  The website of the Office of Citizenship provides information and resources to immigrants at two key points in their journey towards civic integration: when they first become permanent residents and when they are ready and eligible to begin the formal naturalization process. It includes a guide for new immigrants written in 11 languages.