Spanish Set to Become Official Language of Seven Denver Public Library Branches

Doglips · 08-08-2005, 03:41 PM

I just wonder If I moved to a nother contry would they make English stuff avialble for me? Would my new boss let me speak only English? I got no problem with some spanish books..but 7 libary branchs "banishing English language books to the backroom"...thats just messed up.

Spanish Set to Become Official Language of Seven Denver Public Library Branches

Distribution Source : U.S. Newswire

Date : Wednesday, August 03, 2005

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In a sharp break from American tradition, the Denver Public Library is promoting a plan that would make seven of its branches "Spanish focused," banishing English language books to the backroom. The "Languages and Learning" plan would dramatically increase Spanish language offerings and staff, designating some locations as Spanish dominant. The proposal is currently under review by the Library Commission and an advisory board.

"Denver's action is a dubious first in American history: a major U.S. city is creating a public institution that intentionally excludes native-born Americans," explained Mauro E. Mujica, chairman of the board of U.S. English, Inc. "This action goes against the model of assimilation that has successfully served the United States for centuries."
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"In a nation of immigrants, focusing on a single non-English language is the type of favoritism that we should have abandoned years ago. The taxpayers of Denver -- residents who speak 68 languages -- should not stand idly by while their money goes to support immigrants from El Salvador or Colombia over immigrants from Vietnam or Egypt."

Library officials counter that the switch to Spanish dominant libraries is an extension of the institution's purpose. They claim that the Languages and Learning plan will assist Spanish speaking residents in becoming members of their community. Proponents call the plan "cutting edge" and "revolutionary."

"I fail to see how an 'Official Spanish' Library will aid immigrants in learning English and becoming Americans," Mujica continued. "If anything, it will further the notion that Spanish-speaking immigrants can live in relative comfort without needing to learn our common language. If we are to successfully continue as a nation of immigrants, we cannot send an 'English Optional' message to any immigrant group."

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U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non- partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. now has more than 1.8 million members nationwide. U.S. English, Inc. can be found on the Web at: http://www.usenglish.org.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

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/© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

inuyasha · 08-08-2005, 04:04 PM

truthfully i cant say this is that unexpected to me... i was just in denver a week ago and we went through most of the areas (we were there a solid week.. trust me, i saw more than enough of the town) and my dad was complaining how you could drive for like 10 blocks and not be able to read even half of the store signs. i think it is insulting to force english out like that, itd be like going to mexico and forcing them to speak german, it just aint right. i can see having some more spanish stuff just because the people in that area speak mostly spanish... i went into the burger king and everyone in there spoke spanish except when taking the food order.. was rather funny since i know a decent amount of spanish (lived in texas for 5 years, enough said)

Big Dog · 08-08-2005, 05:09 PM

Try going anywhere in Florida south of Alligator Alley. We don't call it North Cuba for nothing.
When we print the annual School Reports for the parents of schoolkids, we do both English and Spanish copies. Used to be a MAJOR PAIN when we had to load each district's own pre-printed forms into the old printer.
The Administration thinks they are providing a service to these families - but it gives them no incentive to learn English, and they suffer later when trying to get a decent job. Some are able to rise above this nonsense, but too many get stuck in the barrios - no real future. Let's all give the naive, well-meaning but clueless idjits in Guvmint a rousing ovation. More tax-dollars wasted, another avenue of learning closed off.

08-08-2005, 03:41 PM	#1
Doglips Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 9,089	Spanish Set to Become Official Language of Seven Denver Public Library Branches I just wonder If I moved to a nother contry would they make English stuff avialble for me? Would my new boss let me speak only English? I got no problem with some spanish books..but 7 libary branchs "banishing English language books to the backroom"...thats just messed up. Spanish Set to Become Official Language of Seven Denver Public Library Branches Distribution Source : U.S. Newswire Date : Wednesday, August 03, 2005 WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In a sharp break from American tradition, the Denver Public Library is promoting a plan that would make seven of its branches "Spanish focused," banishing English language books to the backroom. The "Languages and Learning" plan would dramatically increase Spanish language offerings and staff, designating some locations as Spanish dominant. The proposal is currently under review by the Library Commission and an advisory board. "Denver's action is a dubious first in American history: a major U.S. city is creating a public institution that intentionally excludes native-born Americans," explained Mauro E. Mujica, chairman of the board of U.S. English, Inc. "This action goes against the model of assimilation that has successfully served the United States for centuries." ADVERTISEMENT "In a nation of immigrants, focusing on a single non-English language is the type of favoritism that we should have abandoned years ago. The taxpayers of Denver -- residents who speak 68 languages -- should not stand idly by while their money goes to support immigrants from El Salvador or Colombia over immigrants from Vietnam or Egypt." Library officials counter that the switch to Spanish dominant libraries is an extension of the institution's purpose. They claim that the Languages and Learning plan will assist Spanish speaking residents in becoming members of their community. Proponents call the plan "cutting edge" and "revolutionary." "I fail to see how an 'Official Spanish' Library will aid immigrants in learning English and becoming Americans," Mujica continued. "If anything, it will further the notion that Spanish-speaking immigrants can live in relative comfort without needing to learn our common language. If we are to successfully continue as a nation of immigrants, we cannot send an 'English Optional' message to any immigrant group." ------ U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non- partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. now has more than 1.8 million members nationwide. U.S. English, Inc. can be found on the Web at: http://www.usenglish.org. http://www.usnewswire.com/ -0- /© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

08-08-2005, 05:09 PM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,205	Try going anywhere in Florida south of Alligator Alley. We don't call it North Cuba for nothing. When we print the annual School Reports for the parents of schoolkids, we do both English and Spanish copies. Used to be a MAJOR PAIN when we had to load each district's own pre-printed forms into the old printer. The Administration thinks they are providing a service to these families - but it gives them no incentive to learn English, and they suffer later when trying to get a decent job. Some are able to rise above this nonsense, but too many get stuck in the barrios - no real future. Let's all give the naive, well-meaning but clueless idjits in Guvmint a rousing ovation. More tax-dollars wasted, another avenue of learning closed off. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

08-08-2005, 04:04 PM	#2
inuyasha Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: US occupied territories of "south dakota" Posts: 355	truthfully i cant say this is that unexpected to me... i was just in denver a week ago and we went through most of the areas (we were there a solid week.. trust me, i saw more than enough of the town) and my dad was complaining how you could drive for like 10 blocks and not be able to read even half of the store signs. i think it is insulting to force english out like that, itd be like going to mexico and forcing them to speak german, it just aint right. i can see having some more spanish stuff just because the people in that area speak mostly spanish... i went into the burger king and everyone in there spoke spanish except when taking the food order.. was rather funny since i know a decent amount of spanish (lived in texas for 5 years, enough said)