Hennepin County Library (HCL) has launched a new African web page on its website (www.hclib.org/worldlinks), geared largely to new African immigrants and their families who are searching for resources and services to assist their transition to Minnesota. 
The new web page is partly in response to the recent influx of Africans to Minnesota.  According to U.S. Census reports, the number of Africans emigrating to Minnesota has increased 85% in the past six years.

Highlights on HCL’s African web page include listings of computer classes, programs such as parenting and health workshops for African immigrants, African storytimes and Conversation Circles, and other events.  Also on the web page are links to community services — everything from the Ethiopian Community in Minnesota and Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights to the African Development Center and the UMUNE Cultural Association of Minnesota – as well as links to literacy assistance programs and services, health initiatives, and local and national media serving African immigrants.

 
"Hennepin County Library’s new African web page is a wonderful resource for African immigrants and for people of all ethnic backgrounds and ages who will appreciate the wealth of information for and about African immigrants now available on the Hennepin County Library website," said Amy Ryan, director of Hennepin County Library.

 
Lydia Poor is HCL's new African Outreach liaison.  In person and online, she works to connect African immigrants with library services to ease the transition to living in Minnesota. Reflecting on her experiences emigrating from Kenya to Minnesota 10 years ago, Poor knows how valuable free public library services can be when settling into a new community and a new culture. 

“This job has given me an opportunity to share my resettlement journey and experiences with my clients,” said Poor. “The lifestyle, culture, and even the presence of a large public library system and its free services are new to most African immigrants. My job allows me to conduct community outreach with many African groups, and to provide insight into how Hennepin County Library can work with customers of all ethnic backgrounds to provide free services.”

Poor holds a Master’s degree in Pubic and Nonprofit Administration (MPNA) and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services – Training & Development, both from Metropolitan State University. 

Before arriving in the U.S., she worked with U. S. Peace Corps – Kenya, where she coordinated expansion of their resource centers from two to four locations.  Poor was also instrumental in creating and establishing Sharing Links for resources (books and other community development materials) among various groups of local and international volunteer organizations.  

Poor encountered many of the challenges most new immigrants face. She reassures African immigrants that "their prevailing circumstances can be but a passing cloud if they prioritize getting a better education, improving, and/or acquiring new job skills."  The library's free resources and services can help them meet those challenges.

For more information about Hennepin County Library's Outreach services for African immigrants or to contact Lydia Poor, call 952-847-8755 or go to www.hclib.org/worldlinks

Resources specifically for Somali immigrants also are available on Hennepin County Library's Somali web page at www.hclib.org/worldlinks.