Refugee, migrant worker, immigrant: terms defining differing circumstances for people born outside of the U.S. living right here in Medina County. There have always been people who need to leave their homeland due to political or social unrest, for a better life or to pursue education. The war in Ukraine brought refugees to Medina County and to the front of our minds. For their children to thrive in our public schools, for their parents to find work and for the entire family to meld with our culture, these non-English speakers seek ways to improve their language and cultural skills; and they are doing so at Medina County District Library (MCDL).
World Language Collection
Imagine living in a country where you cannot read the headlines on the grocery store magazine rack. You would crave something familiar in your new environment. Medina and Brunswick Libraries created a World Language Collection complete with popular books and magazines in languages such as Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish and Chinese.
“We have a Japanese mother who checks out all the items we bring in. She waits for her daughter at gymnastics and gets an escape to her culture through the pages,” says Jenna Garrity, the Brunswick Library Associate in charge of the World Language Collection.
Forty languages and varying items are available through this partnership with Cleveland Public Library.
Bilingual Books for Kids
Brunswick and Medina Libraries were getting requests from teachers wanting books for their English-learning students. “We have Ukrainian children reading their native language and English side by side to help them learn the language,” says Jenna.
Bilingual fiction, picture and board books are available at all MCDL locations.
ESOL Classes and Conversation
MCDL partners with Project: LEARN, an adult education organization, to bring English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) classes to Brunswick, Lodi and Medina Libraries. A lively Conversation Group is also hosted at Brunswick Library. Jenna says, “The students come ready to talk. We discuss current events and cultural themes that help them understand the phrases Americans use.”
Next Step: Citizenship
Brunswick Library debuted a Citizenship Corner in early 2024. The space has study kits which include flash cards, practice tests, books, naturalization forms and access to online resources. It was inspired by Conversation Group attendee, Sammy Sabra, who emigrated to the U.S. from Jordan. Sabra earned her U.S. Citizenship in 2023 and says, “I am grateful to everyone at the library for teaching me and encouraging me to speak English. I’m also thankful for teaching me American history and helping me study for citizenship exam.”
Citizenship Exam Prep courses are offered at Brunswick Library throughout this fall.
Support
Quality of life opportunities are another way the library can help. Tara Azin was a refugee from Afghanistan granted asylum in the U.S. “I never attended school in my life until we moved to Medina and I began classes at the library.”
She also just earned her Citizenship: “The day I became a citizen, I bowed down and kissed the ground. I am treated as a human here. My children are safe. I am so grateful.”
Go to MCDL.info/WorldLanguage to register for courses and learn more about any of these resources.