Multilingual Book Access
AI and Technology have also transformed the way literature is localized for multilingual audiences. The rise of e-books, audiobooks and online publishing has allowed books to become more accessible to the public. These forms rely on some of the same techniques and processes seen in Music and TV/Film platforms but the world of books, another type of mass media provider, the library presents some unique and timely challenges.
When Library Support Specialist at the Hillsboro Public Library in Oregan, Katherine Knox wanted to learn how American libraries provide library resources to non-English speakers she surveyed libraries across the country. Knox found that in addition to using official census data from the American Community Survey and school district data, they also use their own local surveys, and patron requests to make decisions on providing multilingual texts.
As with the high costs in translating content before AI advancements, Knox states cost is also a factor in providing multilingual texts. Limiting languages in certain genres like adult content frees up budgeting for other genres, while others must limit materials in one language to focus on more dominant languages.
In thinking about how our libraries localize reading material, the political aspect of language today cannot be overlooked.
Book Bans, Budget, Cuts, and Language Wars
Recent cuts to federal funding have put major hurdles in providing reading material in libraries and schools across America. Services of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which provide the grants that libraries rely on, was halted by an executive order signed on March 14th.
New York City, New York - Protesters at nationwide Hands Off protests
Censorship by way of book bans not only threaten English language books but certainly non-English volumes as well. While most of these books were challenged because of complaints of sexual content and LGBTQ+ themes, there are those that believe libraries should not be concerned with non-English material at all.
As Julia Stephens writes in her essay, multilingual material in libraries cause division and take away from American identity.
While this sentiment existed almost a decade ago when the article was written, the recent executive order to make English the official language of the United States reflects a broader cultural and political shift around multiculturalism and diversity.
As the challenges to libraries remains ongoing, access to digital options becomes the next available option to provide non-English literature to mass audiences.
To learn how artistic interpretation shaped one of the most translated literary works of all time