Where in Provo can one find the latest Star Wars movie and a Harry Potter novel -- in Spanishfi Even many local Hispanics don't realize the myriad resources available for them at the Provo City Library, so expanded outreach services are bringing the library to the Latinos.

Overall circulation of Spanish-language materials through the municipal library surged 14 percent over the past year. Yet while Hispanics comprise well over 10 percent of Provo's population, Spanish-language media account for only 2 percent of the city library's total circulation.

"As large as our Hispanic population is here, we would like to see a lot more participation," said Emily Edman, who started a post as the library's Hispanic outreach coordinator one year ago.

Assigned to assess the needs of local Latinos and increase their library usage, she said she has discovered most needs can be met by existing community resources.

"We as a library don't necessarily need to create new programs," she said. "We need to focus on promoting what we already offer."

Edman posts promotional cards and bookmarks around town with enticing messages like "Did you know you can use the Internet for free at the city libraryfi" She also networks with Hispanics at public events like parent-teacher conferences, informing them of opportunities such as Spanish story hour, Spanish book-club kits, self-taught English as a second language programs, newspapers from Hispanic countries and basic adult computer classes or even genealogy workshops taught in Spanish. And three full-time bilingual employees are available to help Hispanic patrons get a library card, locate a book or access the Internet.

"They're kind of amazed" with the concept of a free public library, she said, explaining that libraries in many Hispanic countries charge prohibitive fees and primarily cater to educated professionals. "There's a lot of fear and misconception that it's a government entity and they're not welcome here."

As news has spread of the welcoming city library, circulation of adult Spanish-language materials jumped 24 percent over the past year, while usage of Spanish media rose 8 percent in the young children's department. Circulation lagged only in the teen category, when schoolchildren begin adopting English as their primary language.

As Latino adults increasingly use library materials and classes to learn English, Edman promotes the library's Hispanic programs as a great way for schoolchildren to retain their native language.

"They're learning English in school," she tells Hispanic parents. "But if you still want your children to maintain their language, come take part. Let them listen to the stories, let them sing along."

Today, Spanish story hour draws up to 40 children, and at least some are Anglos whose parents hope they will glean some Spanish words from the experience. Contrarily, more than 100 routinely crowd the several variations of English story hour, from Book Babies to Toddler Time and beyond.

Flipping through a thick stack of library card applications completed in Spanish, Edman expressed hope that far more local Hispanics will become friends of the library.

"It's just not something they're used to," she said. "We constantly need to be getting the word out."

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C1.