This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Since the Longmont Public Library’s closure on March 16, local librarians have been working to secure additional resources for the City’s Spanish-speaking residents. Because staying informed is of paramount importance right now, priority was placed on adding a new news service to the Library’s menu. Press Reader provides free, unlimited digital access to dozens of daily local, national and global newspapers through the RB Digital app or web access. Readers can access hundreds of Spanish language newspapers and magazines from around the globe, plus thousands of English materials, such as The Denver Post, The Washington Post, and many more with their library card on http://bit.ly/MaterialesLib.
Entertainment is also important right now to keep boredom at bay, so the Library is introducing Pongalo which creates, acquires, and distributes Latino-focused content to audiences in the US and over 15 countries. Pongalo controls one of the largest libraries of Latino-focused films and TV shows in the world, which includes premium titles from Latin American and U.S. producers, including Hollywood blockbuster films. The company's 13,000+ hours of film and TV content feature global stars such as Guillermo Del Toro and Jennifer Lopez, as well as an expansive collection of works from a new generation of Latino content creators. Spanish speakers and learners can both enjoy this incredible catalog of programs. This streaming service requires a library card and can be accessed through the Library’s website at http://bit.ly/MaterialesLib.
There couldn’t be a better time for a good book, and the Library has lots of options, including Spanish language books, and you can access them for free with your library card online. Just head to the “Materiales en español” webpage at http://bit.ly/MaterialesLib and find your next favorite book.
Interactive and virtual connections are also crucial for many people during this stay at home time. Families can gather for Bilingual Storytime every Monday at 11 am with Librarian Valerie on the Library’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube platforms. Also, for those Spanish speakers who want to practice their English conversation skills, the Library’s popular “Say Hello!” English Conversation Group is moving online via Webex, every Saturday from 10 to 11 am and “¡Hablemos! Let's Talk!” Spanish/English Conversation Group will likewise be online every Tuesday from 12 to 1 pm. Once registered, participants will receive instructions to join the online Webex meetings through their email. All bilingual programs are featured on the Library’s “Programas Bilingües” webpage at http://bit.ly/LibProgramas.
The City of Longmont has also created multiple Spanish language webpages and resources for residents. They can be found at https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/coronavirus_recursos_en_espanol.
Finally, if your English is good enough, the Library has also added scores of fun things to do at home and online in English. See the Library’s homepage for complete details (www.LongmontColorado.gov/Library). Have questions for the librarians? Spanish-speaking librarians can answer them. Just send an email to [email protected].
Don’t have a Library card? No problem. You’ll need to follow English instructions, so get help from a friend if necessary. To read books on the Libby app (these are Overdrive eBooks), go to the Library’s eReading page (in English) at http://bit.ly/eMaterials and follow the instructions to obtain a card. Also, very soon, you’ll be able to access the RB Digital app and all of our other digital services that require a library card. Watch the eReading page at http://bit.ly/eMaterials for details.
We’re all in this together, and we’ll get through it, separately, safely, at home and be glad to see each other when the Library reopens.
