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Spanish Set to Become Official Language of Seven Denver Public Library Branches

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by poncho, Aug 10, 2005.

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  1. poncho

    poncho Well-Known Member

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    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    August 3, 2005 Contact: Rob Toonkel
    rtoonkel@usenglish.org


    In a sharp break from American tradition, the Denver Public Library is promoting a plan that would make seven of its branches “Spanish focused,” banishing English language books to the backroom. The “Languages and Learning” plan would dramatically increase Spanish language offerings and staff, designating some locations as Spanish dominant. The proposal is currently under review by the Library Commission and an advisory board.

    “Denver’s action is a dubious first in American history: a major U.S. city is creating a public institution that intentionally excludes native-born Americans,” explained Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of the Board of U.S. English, Inc. “This action goes against the model of assimilation that has successfully served the United States for centuries.”

    SOURCE
     
    #1 poncho, Aug 10, 2005
  2. JGrubbs

    JGrubbs New Member

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    WOW!
     
    #2 JGrubbs, Aug 10, 2005
  3. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    The OP is misleading.

    The Denver Public Library System's Language and Learning plan involves increasing the number of Spanish-language books and periodicals at seven local libraries. The plan also involves utilizing a bilingual staff (much of their staff is already biligual, so this is a nonissue), and making available classes for Spanish speakers on subjects such as English acquisition (something the OP noteably omits). The Denver libraries WILL NOT "banish" English books, as the OP states. Approx 20% of Denver's taxpayers are primariy Spanish speakers, accounting for about 1/2 of Denver's Spanish-speaking taxpayer base.

    If this were a case where English were being banned, I'd be all up in arms. However, this is nothing more then a case where Spanish materials are simply being made more readily available to the public.

    Seeing how there is no official language in the US, I really don't see how this is a problem. It's Denver's tax dollars. If this is how they choose to utilize their tax dollars, that's their sovereign right.
     
    #3 Johnv, Aug 10, 2005
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