New Americans

Resources for Libraries Serving New Americans

Guidelines for Multicultural Outreach

• Civics & Citizenship Toolkit developed by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to help organizations start or build a citizenship education program for immigrants.
• Bridging Refugee Youth & Children’s Services (BRYCS) aims to strengthen the capacity of refugee-serving and mainstream organizations across the U.S. to empower and ensure the successful development of refugee children, youth, and their families.
• Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Roundtable’s Guidelines for Outreach to Immigrant Populations aims to provide a basis for the development of library services and programming that facilitate recent immigrants’ inclusion and participation into the broader society while also preserving and promoting their distinct cultural and linguistic heritages.
• International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Library Services to Multicultural Populations Section works to promote best practice in delivering library services and collections to cultural and linguistic minorities.
• The New Americans Library Project is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office that explores how public libraries can provide the services New Americans need to thrive.

Resources and Training for Librarians

• Welcoming Immigrants Through Cultural Programming: Lessons from the Field (Infopeople)
• Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the U.S. and offers a library of learning resources, a range of self-paced e-learning courses and regular live learning opportunities.
• Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange connects and supports refugee resettlement staff globally to deliver effective cultural orientation to help refugees achieve self-sufficiency in the United States.
• The Multilingual Information Literacy Toolkit provides a step-by-step guide for assisting patrons who speak other languages using internet resources and the Vermont Online Library.

Resources for Libraries to Share with Patrons

Online Resources available through VTLIB

• Learning Express Library provides a comprehensive selection of academic and career-related solutions available in one platform:
  • GED and HiSET prep
  • US citizenship test prep
• Universal Class is an online learning platform offering over 500 continuing education courses on a diverse array of topics:
  • ESL classes
  • US citizenship class

Translation and Interpreter Services

Please note that these organizations are on the state's established list of statewide contracts. While public libraries do not have access to state-negotiated pricing, these suppliers have been vetted by the Vermont Office of Purchasing and Contracts (OPC). These suppliers are often willing to work with other entities of the state and offer competitive pricing.

• Association of Africans Living in Vermont: AALV helps new Americans from all parts of the world gain independence in their new communities through a range of integration services.
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Vermont: Provides newly arrived refugees with a comprehensive set of linguistically and culturally appropriate services, with a goal of attaining self-sufficiency.
• Corporate Translation Services Inc. DBA Language Link: Delivers a full suite of translation, interpretation, and localization solutions.
• Telelanguage Inc.: Provides interpretation and translation services.
• Worldwide Interpreters Inc.: Provides on-demand phone interpretation to local governments, hospitals and businesses across the United States.

Citizenship

• Study Materials for the Civics Test provided by USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
• USCIS Information for Libraries
• Universal Class
• Learning Express

English Language Learners

• Universal Class
• LINCS Literacy Information and Communication System: Free online courses on English Language Acquisition for teachers of adult ESOL classes.
• USA Learns: Free online lessons for English Language Learners and Citizenship Preparation
• Vermont Adult Learning: VAL teaches English Language Learners skills to advance educationally and at work.
• Central Vermont Adult Basic Education: CVABE offers instruction in English language that prepares the student for U.S. citizenship.

Legal Assistance

• Legal Services Vermont: Provides a wide range of civil (not criminal) legal services to Vermonters.
• South Royalton Legal Clinic: The South Royalton Legal Clinic (SRLC) serves Vermont residents who are unable to afford counsel and who need assistance with issues such as bankruptcy, children’s rights, disability, domestic violence, family law, housing, immigration, veterans issues and wills.

Workforce Readiness

• ReSource: Our programs offer an opportunity for adult and youth who have barriers to employment to hone job skills and prepare for a successful work life as productive members of their communities.
• Northeast Kingdom Learning services: NEKLS offers adult education and literacy services that include career preparation, workforce readiness, and workforce development.
• Vermont Department of Labor: The Workforce Development Division operates 12 regional offices across the state.

Other Vermont Resources

• Vermont State Refugee Office: The State Refugee Office works closely with Vermont voluntary resettlement agencies, as well as other area partners to support refugee integration.
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Vermont: Provides newly arrived refugees with a comprehensive set of linguistically and culturally appropriate services, with a goal of attaining self-sufficiency.
• Ethiopian Community Development Council Brattleboro: ECDC’s programs assist refugees and immigrants by giving them hope for their future, and helping them become self-sufficient, productive members of their communities.
• Migrant Justice: Organizing for economic justice and human rights.
• Association of Africans Living in Vermont: AALV helps new Americans from all parts of the world gain independence in their new communities through a range of integration services.
• Vermont Department of Health: Immigrants and Refugees: Their Refugee Health Program works with refugees from the time they arrive in Vermont through a community-based system of care.
• Vermont Language Justice Project: Provides information about all things Covid in 14 languages in a video format.
• Vermont Human Rights Commission: The mission of the Vermont Human Rights Commission (VHRC) is to promote full civil and human rights in Vermont.
• Financial Empowerment for New Americans (CVOEO): Provides information on how to manage money, start a business, buy a house, or build your credit and savings in a new country.
• Somali Bantu Community Association of Vermont: Assists refugees, low-income, and religious minorities in establishing a home in Chittenden County, Vermont.

Resources for Afghan Refugees

• USCIS Information for Afghan Nationals
• Settle In Facebook page for Afghan refugees
• Videos about resources for Afghans (in Pashto)

Resources for Migrant Farmworkers

• Access to Drivers Licenses in Vermont (Migrant Justice)
• Farmworker Resources (UVM Extension)
• Migrant Education (State of Vermont Agency of Education)