Library Services for Hispanic Patrons

Abstract

Data from the 2000 Census show that “the Hispanic population has grown faster than the overall U.S. population since 1990 and is projected to become the largest U.S. minority group by 2005,” comprising 12.6% of the U.S. population. By 2050 that number will increase to 25%.2 The implications of these statistics give a clear mandate to public libraries to develop collections and services to meet the needs of the growing Hispanic population. This paper discusses the history of library services to Hispanics and current needs for staff development, marketing, programming, outreach services, and collection development to provide these services.