DML saw an opportunity to join Dayton’s immigrant-friendly initiatives by reaching out to new citizens and English language learners. The library is a natural community center, providing services, materials and activities to people of all ages and backgrounds, building neighborhood connections and encouraging stronger communities. The New Americans Corner in DML’s Main Library is a destination (with comfortable seating, resources and support from a dedicated Librarian) where new Americans feel welcomed into the community.

The excitement behind this immigrant-friendly initiative drew new volunteers to lead regularly-scheduled Talk Tables -- casual gatherings that give non-native speakers the opportunity to practice English in a friendly setting, learn about library resources available to them, and form new connections within the community. (Self-paced language study is available at DML online through Mango Languages.) At monthly swearing-in ceremonies, DML representatives welcome new American citizens to the community and introduce them to library services.

An information services librarian has been hired to devote time to supporting new Americans. She maintains liaisons with community leaders, networking groups and community agencies that work with new Americans; she attends community meetings and gives presentations on initiatives and issues. She oversees the Foreign Language Collection in both reference and circulating materials. An expansion of this innovation for 2017, she is planning for classes, meetings and programs that celebrate cultural diversity in Dayton.