Strangers in a Strange Land

Abstract

How do library leaders worldwide handle the influx of international patrons? What type of outreach is needed to assist those patrons who are in a new location and have very limited resources? As people are immigrating, evacuating, or studying abroad, these are questions that library leaders must be prepared to answer. These questions are even more important to answer in light of the recent 1.7 million evacuees from Ukraine. In both public and academic libraries, international patrons need different types of assistance compared to their domestic patrons. Should language and culture classes be offered? Should libraries work with lawyers to provide legal assistance? Should social workers be on site to assist? What other types of programming, events, or assistance can libraries provide? This poster will display what an academic library in the southeastern United States has done, what other libraries worldwide have done to help their patrons, and additional ideas of what can be done. Stop by to share your thoughts and ideas or provide additional information on what programs your library has successfully implemented to help the international patrons.