Rachel Barreto Edensword

 Abstract — Inglés

Both binational center libraries and libraries directly supported by the U.S. Information Service (USIS) have had considerable impact on the development of librarianship in Latin America. These libraries, some of which were initially established in the 1940s, provide a variety of programs and materials from the United States that encourages the exchange of cultural values and information within the host country. Edensword first provides a general overview of the operations of USIS and binational center libraries in Central America. She then goes on to describe in greater detail six libraries in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica: their facilities, patrons, services, collections, and the extent to which they are automated.

USIS, the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program, and other cultural exchange associations provide support for those libraries in two major areas: training (workshops and seminars are held regularly throughout Latin America) and the new technology, especially CD̵;ROM databases.

 Abstract — Español

Nuevas corrientes: USIS y las bibliotecas de los Centros Culturales Binacionales de Centro América
Tanto las bibliotecas binacionales y las bibliotecas apoyadas por el Servicio Informativo de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica (United States Information Service, USIS) han tenido un impacto considerable en el desarrollo de la bibliotecología en Latino América. Estas bibliotecas, algunas de las cuales fueron establecidas inicialmente durante la década de los 1940s, proporcionan una variedad de programas y materiales de los Estados Unidos que animan el intercambio de los valores culturales y de la información con los países huéspedes. La autora proporciona primero una revisión general de las operaciones de USIS y de bibliotecas binacionales de Centro América. Después se dirige Edensword a delinear con gran detalle seis bibliotecas localizadas en Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador y Costa Rica, describiendo sus instalaciones, sus usuarios, los servicios que proporcionan, la naturaleza de sus colecciones y el grado en el que se encuentran automatizadas.

El Servicio Informativo de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, el Departamento de Estado, el Programa Fulbright y otras asociaciones culturales de intercambio proporcionan apoyo a esas bibliotecas en dos áreas principales: talleres de capacitación y seminarios que se llevan a cabo regularmente en Latino América y la nueva tecnología, especialmente bancos de datos con el formato CD–ROM, los que han mejorado enormemente el servicio de préstamos interbibliotecarios y la identificación bibliográfica entre Norte y Sud América.

 Introduction

The United States Information Agency (USIA), an agency of the executive branch of government, known overseas as the United States Information Service (USIS), supports 160 libraries and reading rooms in approximately 80 countries around the world. These libraries offer books, periodicals, and other materials to help foreign audiences learn about the United States—it's people, history, culture, and current political policies. These overseas libraries contain over 800,000 books and 128,000 periodical subscriptions and are used by more than 3 million visitors annually. The Agency employs 29 professional American librarians to carry out plans and programs for these libraries.

Various congressional acts brought the present library program into being. In a cooperative activity of the American Library Association and the Office of International Affairs of the Department of State, several libraries were opened in the early 1940s. The oldest continuously operating library in the USIS system was opened April 13, 1942 in Mexico City. Later, libraries were opened in Managua in 1942, Montevideo in 1943, and Buenos Aires in 1943. The State Department funded the ALA–operated libraries which were opened to “provide books, periodicals and other library and cultural materials from the U.S. ...” [1]

A USIS library is usually located in embassy or USIS installations and concentrated on dissemination of information and reference and research services. Such libraries are supported entirely by U.S. government funds; the only such library in Central America is the USIS Library in Panama, the Amador Washington Library.

Libraries in binational centers in Central America were established in the mid–1940s, and most are located in cultural centers that teach English to local residents and sponsor cultural events. The centers are non–profit institutions and support themselves chiefly through teaching English, although some centers also derive funds from bookstore activities. These centers offer USIS–sponsored scholarship and student counseling services as well. Their libraries are an integral part of center activities and include books, periodicals, videos, CD–ROM databases and other reference materials from the United States which serve to encourage and strengthen existing channels for the interchange of cultural values and information.

In a 1962 article, William Vernon Jackson noted that “...the impact of both types of libraries (USIS and binational center) on Latin American librarianship has been considerable, because each provides an example (sometimes the only one in a city) of a modern, well organized library with a liberal lending policy.” [2] The first binational center (BNC) was founded in 1927; as time passed, more centers came into being, reaching a peak in the 1960s of 100 in Latin America; there are currently 50.

The USIS Regional Library Office based in the Benjamin Franklin Library in Mexico City supports development of collections and services in USIS and binational center libraries in Central America, Colombia, and Ecuador. In Central America the Office provides support services to six binational cultural center libraries in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. These libraries are located in cultural centers that are jointly funded by USIS and local boards of directors. In Panama, USIS operates a library in Panama City, housed in an annex of the American Embassy. Both USIS and binational center libraries are dedicated to the development of mutual understanding between the United States and the host country. The libraries differ in scope, collections, and services provided, but generally have circulating collections of fiction, literature, and other American Studies topics, and make available to their community materials and reference services on U.S. policies and culture.

These libraries are classed by Dewey Decimal, with Library of Congress Subject Headings in English, except Managua, which uses subject headings in Spanish based on the Lista de encabezamientos de materia para bibliotecas (LEMB). [3] They are usually staffed by bilingual librarians trained in reference services, collection development, and public outreach projects. Many library administrators have local licenciaturas en bibliotecología, the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in library science; some have advanced degrees. Almost all use basic library software for catalog card production, word processing, and statistics. Since 1988 more and more are using CD–ROM reference databases. A typical binational center library might have USIS support for a periodical order of 50 titles, a miscellaneous and reference books order for $4,000, and perhaps a salary and materials grant for an outreach program of $5,000. The collections include significant reference titles, books in Spanish and English (generally a 50/50 balance), materials on linguistics and the teaching of English as a second language, fiction and literature, a section on relations between the U.S. and Central America, environment, economics, as well as smaller general collections in the humanities and social sciences.

Since many library users have limited English, materials in Spanish are an important part of collections. Most Spanish titles are received through USIA’s Latin American Book Translation Program, which regularly translates titles considered of program value. Approximately 25 titles per year are received under this program on topics ranging from literature to environment and including strong coverage of political and social sciences. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s RTAC II (Regional Technical Assistance Center) program is an excellent source of over 3,500 translations from American textbooks in 20 fields of USAID interest, covering architecture through zoology, with good coverage of development topics. Many libraries receive RTAC II donation to augment Spanish materials. Other material is acquired locally by each library, and the USIS Regional Library and Regional Book Offices in Mexico also provide other special materials in Spanish for area libraries. A recent project includes a “Library Administration Reference Shelflist” of eight titles in Spanish including Sistema de clasificación decimal (18th edition), LEMB, Reglas de catalogación angloamericanas (2nd edition) and other important library science reference titles. These reference books will be distributed to local library institutions as well as to USIS/BNC libraries throughout the hemisphere.

Most center libraries select and order their English–language publications based on reviews from standard sources and order from documents provided bi–weekly from USIA’s Library Program Division in Washington. They are, of course, encouraged to select from other sources as well. International orders are batched in Washington and placed with a government jobber, although many libraries find it easier to order directly from an independent jobber. Periodicals are ordered annually also through Washington, through libraries have the option to place orders directly with any jobber. The Regional Library Officer regularly visits these libraries to provide training, to support collection development efforts, and to assist in improving services. Table 1 provides an overview off collections and services in the region.

TABLE 1

Sources: Annual reports, country library plans, RLO reports

All libraries have some form of automation such as “Librarian’s Helper” and CD–ROMs for various databases. CD–ROMs provided by the USIA include “International Drug Library” (IDL) and “Public Diplomacy Query” (PDQ).

 Individual Binational Center Libraries

The binational center library in Guatemala, the Walt Whitman Library in the Instituto Guatemalteco–Americano (IGA), is a full–service library in a busy, successful English–teaching educational cultural institute with a student body of 4,000. The Whitman Library audience reflects the young student population. The library sponsors an article alert service to about 60 persons and institutions and provides selective dissemination of information and extended reference service to a small professional audience. It also provides large circulation, reference and reader’s services. The library maintains close ties with the Guatemalan consortium of five university libraries using the Sistemas Lógicos cataloging software for a machine–readable union catalog. It also actively sponsors programs in support of library technology transfer. CD–ROM based reference services and basic automation technology are in place with plans to add automated circulation and a public access catalog in the next five years.

In Honduras there are two binational center libraries. In Tegucigalpa the James G. Blaine Library, named after a prominent American diplomat influential in launching the Pan–American Movement, and inaugurated in 1942, is a small, busy library in the Instituto Hondureño de Cultura Interamericana (IHCI) that has a student body of about 1,000 students of English; usage in the library reflects this young audience. There is seating for 60. The library is beginning to take advantage of personal computers and uses Librarian’s Helper software to produce card catalogs. There is a large, well–organized circulating collection of fiction and American literature, both in English and Spanish. The reference section also has a good current collection of encyclopedias, again in Spanish and English.

The second binational center library in Honduras is located at the large, new Centro Cultural Sampedrano (CCS) in the business capital of Honduras, San Pedro Sula. The Benjamin Franklin Public Library is a large, air–conditioned, modern facility with seating for over 100 which aims to serve as the library of public resource for the community. Since the student population at the center is sizeable, the library serves a principally adolescent audience, although older readers use the library in the evenings. The encyclopedia collection is current and good in both Spanish and English, and more popular and professional titles are being acquired and cataloged. Many donations were received from U.S. libraries and now, with access to computers for cataloging, the collection has begun to expand quickly, aiming at a circulation collection of 10,000–15,000 titles. The Center also maintains several significant collections of back runs of local newspapers. A CD–ROM reader is expected to be in operation soon in order to take advantage of Agency and commercial CD–ROM databases.

In El Salvador the Antonia Portillo Galindo Library, named after a prominent Salvadorian educator at the Centro Cultural Salvadoreño in San Salvador, is a small, newly–invigorated library in an active cultural and English teaching center, with strong cultural and counseling programs and a student body of about 2,250. The library has a good collection off reference materials and a growing circulating collection, with materials chiefly in Spanish to appeal to a wider student and professional population. The library has received representative RTAC II titles and is building a collection on English as a second language. Librarian’s Helper software is used to catalog current acquisitions, and the library plays a major role in supporting and hosting library and information science events which are often held at the Center. The Regional Library Office co–sponsors with the Salvadoran Library Association library workshops, held annually in May.

The USIS–supported library at the Council of Professional Organizations (CONAPRO) in Managua, Nicaragua, was established in 1989 as a 1,500–volume reading/reference room with encyclopedias, directories, dictionaries, almanacs and indexes to provide basic information on American society, culture and business and professional careers in the U.S. CONAPRO had a modest collection of materials on medicine in English and has received additional donations in these fields. The USAID–sponsored RTAC II program distributes RTAC II titles through CONAPRO, and this should assure the library a richer collection. CONAPRO is also a point of distribution for Fulbright and other scholarship information and applications. It is not a true binational center, but rather an institution which works in concert with USIS and the American Embassy. The library is staffed by a half–time Nicaraguan professional librarian and provides limited circulation services. The current space is small with comfortable seating for only 10. Ideally, USIS would like to reestablish a full binational center with wider library services, collection and facilities, as well as the traditional English teaching and cultural events components. The Nicaraguan Ministry of Culture and U.S. Embassy officials are actively pursuing this option.

In San José the Mark Twain Library of the Centro Cultural Costarricense–Norteamericano (CCCN) is a model American library in every way. Renovated and enlarged in 1989, the Library provides accomodation for 80 readers, with additional seating for 30 in a pleasant open air patio. There is a professional bilingual staff. The collection is strong and wide–reaching with a selection of current titles on Central America and U.S. policies in the region, reflecting a broad range of opinions and scholarship, on the environment, and on drug education; holdings of American literature, fiction, and linguistics are strong, and general coverage of other topics in American studies is good. Significant additions of RTAC II titles on computer science, management, environment, economic development, public administration, and the basic sciences have strengthened the Spanish language collection. The periodical collection is well endowed with good back runs to support reference services. The library uses Mexican–developed automation software, Logicat, to maintain a machine–readable online catalog. A card catalog also exists, since pre–1980 materials are not yet fully incorporated into the database. In June 1991 the Library began providing online legislative reference service through Legi–Slate to Costa Rican legislators. The Library serves a special audience of 150 with research and reference, article alerts, tables of contents, and selective dissemination of information. It also serves professionals and a student population of 3,000. Library science and cultural programs are sponsored regularly. The Library is now ready to consider a LAN environment, automated circulation, complete conversion of the card catalog, and expanded CD–ROM access for the public.

The Amador Washington Library in Panama City is located in a USIS annex in centrally–located quarters with good public street access. In recent years staff, services and collections decreased because of budget cuts. However, beginning in January 1990, USIS officials made a determined effort to improve, expand and modernize the staff, collection, and services. The emphasis is on drug education, environmental issues, and economic growth. Currently there is seating for about 30 with additional space in a multipurpose room which also serves as the periodical reading room.

 Training

To provide training for these libraries, the Regional Library Office sponsors annual workshops, on–the–job training in Mexico, and regular visits by the Regional Librarian. In March 1989 a workshop was held in Bogotá, Colombia, for 24USIS/BNC librarians to introduce optical disc technology and to demonstrate basic CD–ROM reference databases. In October 1989 in Quito, Ecuador, another week–long workshop was held for 25 librarians throughout Latin America to introduce basic automation and CD–ROM technology and provide hands–on practice. In November 1990 the Office co–sponsored the New Information Technology Conference at the Guadalajara International Book Fair to increase understanding in the region of CD–ROM and other emerging technologies; some 300 Latin American information professionals participated. In May 1991 50 Salvadoran librarians attended a two–day Reference Services Workshop organized and sponsored by the Regional Library Office. In September 1991 the Office sponsored a week–long workshop for 23 USIS/BNC librarians from the region in San José, Costa Rica. It included sessions devoted to library administration, collection development, reference, and outreach services, as well as CD–ROM and other library automation projects. This workshop featured a two–day Dialog on–disc training course with participation on 15 local librarians.

Additional training for USIS/BNC and local librarians draws upon USIA’s American Specialist Program, American participants, voluntary speakers, and the Fulbright Program. From time to time individual posts may recruit library consultants for specific activities (e.g., recent projects in Honduras and Costa Rica). In 1991/1992 El Salvador received two visiting American Fulbright scholars, and Guatemala and Nicaragua one grantee each. Partners of America, Sister City, Rotary, the Organization of American States, and the Seminar of the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials (SALALM) also provide limited funding for exchange of personnel and programs.

 The New Technology

In 1988, with the advent of CD–ROM technology, USIA developed a pilot project to place CD–ROM readers in 10 libraries around the world. In 1989 readers and many demonstration discs were received for the libraries in Bogotá, San José, and Quito. In 1989, with funding from the State Department’s anti–narcotics program, the Agency acquired 61 CD–ROM readers, personal computers, and other equipment recessary to provide CD–based reference services throughout the world, assuring all Central American libraries an opportunity to acquire free workstations. In addition, funds from this project provided for the creation of a drug database to contain basic documentary materials pertinent to anti–drug efforts of the U.S. government. Each library with CD systems also received an optical disc index to United States Information Agency materials, the Public Diplomacy Query (PDQ) database, which includes many full–text articles on U.S. policies and international news. In Central America all libraries except those in Managua, Tegucigalpa and San Salvador currently make available these database to their special and general audiences, and these libraries will soon offer such services also. [4]

Online reference database searching is a common part of services provided in our libraries in Mexico and Buenos Aires, but in Central America telecommunications services are expensive and connections problematic. In San José, for example, telecommunications cost US$1.50 per minute. When database access charges are added, the cost to most libraries is prohibitive. CD–ROM indexes and bibliographic databases are appropriate and less expensive alternatives to online databases, yet still provide up–to–date reference information on all aspects of North and South American current events and policies. Through USIA, San José’s library has offered since July 1991 online service to Legi–Slate databases. Libraries were provided with Books in Print with Reviews Plus, plus Ebsco’s Magazine Article Summaries (now upgraded to Academic Abstracts) and Serials Directory because of the price and coverage provided. An up–to–date union list of magazine holdings in the region is published; libraries can request articles from one another as well as from the USIA Library in Washington.

With the enrichment of the Latin American databases in CD format, such as Mexico’s LIBRUNAM, LC Marc Bibliographic and the Centro de Información Científica y Humanísta (CICH) CD database BIBLAT, interlibrary loan and bibliographic identification are facilitated between North and South American libraries. When the projected CD–ROM product of Info–South, the University of Texas Latin American Collection, HAPI (Hispanic American Periodicals Index) and Handbook of Latin American Studies is released, even richer exchange will be possible.

USIA and the Regional Library Office seek to meet the challenges and opportunities to facilitate exchange of bibliographic information and documents between North, Central, and South America. Their activities, in addition to telling America’s story abroad, allow America to share the rich bibliographic resources of the region, provide better communication, and encourage mutual understanding of cultural values.

 References

1. Donald Hausrath, “United States Information Agency International Library Activities,” Special Libraries 81–1 (Winter 1990): 12.

2. William Vernon Jackson, Aspects of Librarianship in Latin America (Champaign, Ill.: Illini Union Book Store, 1962), p. 28.

3. Lista de encabezamientos de materia para bibliotecas, 2nd ed. (Bogotá: Procultura, 1985).

4. Rachel Barreto Edensword, “CD–ROM in U.S. Information Service Libraries in Central America, Colombia, and Ecuador,” Access (Faxon), Winter 1990: 44–45.

Note: Details on the binational center library in Chile were given in the article by Elizabeth N. Steinhagen and María Teresa Herrero in TWL 2–2 (Spring 1992). Ed.

 About the Author

Rachel Barreto Edensword is former Regional Library Officer for Central America, Colombia and Ecuador, U.S. Information Agency (USIS).

© 1992 Dominican University

Citation

Edensword, Rachel Barreto, “New Waves: USIS and Binational Cultural Center Libraries in Central America” Third World Libraries, Volume 3, Number 1 (Fall 1992).