Brooklyn Public Library Expands Multilingual, ESOL, Citizenship Services with Support from Apple Bank

Partnership Will Fund Multilingual Family Cultural Program Series, Citizenship Materials, Language Line Interpretation Services

Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) announced today that it will offer expanded multilingual programming and language access resources, including a family cultural program series and real-time Language Line interpretation services, in all 60 of its branches through a new partnership with Apple Bank. Apple Bank is the second-largest state chartered savings bank in New York State with close to $12 billion in assets and 79 branches in greater New York. Apple Bank has 18 branch offices in Brooklyn. 

On October 30, Coney Island Library will host Quack … Cuac!, a bilingual (Spanish/English) children’s play that is also accessible to speakers of other languages.
Quack … Cuac! will be the first in a monthly series of 10 multilingual family cultural programs to be sponsored by Apple Bank in library branches throughout the borough. The event schedule features an upcoming Russian Mother's Day concert at Kings Highway Library; an Urdu family music program at Kensington; a Spanish-language theater program at Williamsburg for Dia de los Ninos; and others which will be announced soon.

“Brooklyn Public Library serves one of the most diverse communities in the world, and language access is among our foremost priorities,” said BPL President and CEO Linda Johnson. “We’re pleased to partner with Apple Bank to make it even easier for Brooklynites to access the many helpful resources and materials available in our branches.”

Language Line is a telephonic reference and referral service that allows speakers of different languages to communicate with the assistance of an interpreter. Beginning later this year, librarians and front-line staff in BPL’s 60 branches will use the service to assist patrons in 20 of Brooklyn’s most frequently spoken languages. Language Line is used by staff in various city agencies, including the dispatchers in New York’s 911 and 311 call centers.

In addition to the Language Line service, Apple Bank will fund the purchase of new ESOL materials and citizenship books for BPL’s New Americans Corners, which offer multilingual resources—including naturalization test study aids and information on various city, library and legal services—in easily accessible, well-trafficked areas of every public library in New York City.

“We are very gratified to partner with the Brooklyn Public Library and provide Brooklynites with access to the help and resources they need to achieve their dreams, whether these services are available in the BPL branches or our own Apple Bank branches,” said James Matera, Executive Vice President and Head of Apple Bank's Consumer Banking Division. “Apple Bank has been providing essential banking services to New York’s neighborhoods for over 150 years and Brooklyn in particular for the last 20 years. Our bankers live and work locally, and many of them are multilingual. We pride ourselves on getting to know community leaders and the neighborhood residents personally, which means understanding their needs, goals and concerns. This partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library is an important extension of our commitment to the Brooklyn community.”

For more information about Brooklyn Public Library’s many multilingual programs and services, visit bklynlibrary.org/immigrant-services.

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About Brooklyn Public Library 
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.

About Apple Bank
Apple Bank, established in 1863, provides consumer and small business banking services in greater New York through its branch network and online banking service. Apple is the second-largest state chartered savings bank in New York State, with close to $12 billion in assets and 79 branches located in the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland. Visit us at www.applebank.com.