CDL-Policy for non-English materials (Response #1)

[Original posting on this topic is reproduced below; the response follows it.]

Does anyone know of a well-designed collection development statement for 
non-English materials - applying a to public library serving a population 
of under 50,000 people? What are the parameters used to determine the 
various languages and the percentage for each of them? How to enhance such 
materials?

Thank you in advance.

Philippe Cantié

cantie_at_enssib.fr

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From: Linwood DeLong <linwood.delong_at_uwinnipeg.ca>

These are interesting questions.  Here in Canada, we use the census data to 
identify the major languages spoken in cities of 50,000 (or any other 
size).   People from some countries where there is a strong colonial 
language (e.g. India - where English is very widely spoken and taught in 
the school system) may be served to some extent by library materials in 
that language.   People from other countries where there is probably not 
the same presence of a colonial language (e.g. Viet Nam, Thailand, 
Malaysia) may have stronger needs for library materials in their own 
language(s).   Census data, which would give percentages of people who 
speak certain languages, may need to be "adjusted" slightly for situations 
such as these.

Book dealers who serve ethnic communities are certainly an important source 
of information about current titles that would be of interest to people 
from these communities, and may also serve as suppliers for this 
material.  Information about circulation trends in libraries located in 
sister cities with a similar type of ethnic composition could also help you 
to determine which ethnic groups appear to be strong users of libraries and 
perhaps even titles that appear to be popular.  Good luck with your project.

Linwood DeLong
Reference Coordinator
University of Winnipeg Library
515 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
R3B 2E9
Ph. (204) 786-9124
FAX (204) 786-1824