Library makes foreign languages easy

To the editor:

  The Society of Fairfield Italian Americans recently promoted their ?All Things Italian? event on a bulletin board at the library, and we postered for Joe Benevento?s author book talk as well. I was impressed with the group?s enthusiasm and organizational know-how, and the multi-generational sense of community in Central Park was palpable.

  At the library?s front desk, we have responded to requests from local residents who want to learn the Italian language. Out of curiosity I looked up the library?s usage statistics for BYKI Foreign Language service. (See the Foreign Languages tab at www.fairfield.lib.ia.us). The service has been used 3,010 times so far: 917 French, 633 Spanish, 287 Irish, 204 Italian, 152 German, 126 Mandarin Chinese, 80 Turkish, 79 Polish, 43 Japanese ? and a long list of other languages. As a community, we have used 58 out of 75 language options to date! The system also supports those who want to learn English as a second language.

  BYKI is free and tailored to each individual. If you have ever considered studying a foreign language, stop by the library?s front desk. We can help you get started. Signup is free and takes only a minute.

? Rebecca Huggins, director of the Fairfield Public Library