“It’s definitely a growing trend,” said Carol Brey-Casiano, former president of the American Library Association.

– New York Times (AP source)

“It’s definitely something we’re seeing more and more, because the Hispanic population is growing in our country,” said Carol Brey-Casiano, former president of the American Library Association.

– Rocky Mountain News (AP Source)

Which quote tells the story better? Guess it depends on what story you want to tell.

“The interest is in rural areas and cities that aren’t the usual Spanish areas, like New York or Miami, but in North Carolina, Illinois and the Midwest,” said Carmen Ospina, editor of Critica, a magazine for librarians that highlights Spanish-language material.

Well, guess that explains it. New York’s urban elite always know what’s best for others.

But not all agree.

“[T]he growth has been controversial in some places, with critics saying taxpayer money shouldn’t be spent on a population that can include illegal immigrants or on proposals that promote languages other than English.

The plan being considered by the Denver Public Library system - the largest in Colorado - has come under scrutiny.

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., sent a public letter to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper this summer asking whether the library was considering Spanish-only branches or converting to Spanish-language material at the expense of English material. Tancredo, an outspoken critic of U.S. immigration policies, said he had been contacted by concerned librarians and patrons.

“When you have a strong cultural identity and there aren’t set incentives to become American, it creates a lot of tension and divides the community,” said Tancredo’s spokesman, Will Adams.

What happened to the simple principle of “When in Rome”?

Good on Tancredo for speaking out. Perhaps he should issue a bilingual press release to make sure the message is understood.

1. [...] 2. Since we’re talking about the estimated 12 million ILLEGAL poor immigrants, whose children require bilingual education and statistically, are always behind, what are they doing? [...]

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