We buy all the good Spanish books we can get our hands on, said Karlan Sick, supervisor of the Fordham library s young adult section since 1984. She has a generous budget to do so but has a hard time finding books in Spanish that fit into the public school curriculum, she said. About half of the Hispanic children who visit the branch want materials in Spanish, according to Alfalla. Many of them look for books in their native language to help with specific homework assignments. She prioritizes buying those items, but purchases videos, cassettes, CD-ROMs and recreational reading as well.
Library branches can also borrow from a reserve location in Manhattan.
But finding biographies and various books about American history, which Hispanic children often need to do homework, can be difficult. In addition, she said, there is a lack of bilingual librarians to help select books. With the census announcing more Hispanic children in the borough, the committee may consider making even more selections. We look at the population before we do the budget, Bonitch said. If there is a greater need for books in Spanish then there will have to be an increase in budget.