About PolyTalk

PolyTalk

Lincoln Trail Libraries System has been awarded an LSTA grant by the Illinois State Library to establish a library interpreters network for Illinois libraries. PolyTalk is the first statewide effort to provide telephone-based interpretation services to all Illinois libraries.

PolyTalk is all about helping limited English proficient patrons make full use of the resources of Illinois libraries by providing all libraries with access to a secure database of volunteer interpreters who can be made available by phone to provide real-time interpretation. Illinois library agencies will have access to a multilingual Language Kit to assist in basic library-specific interactions with limited English proficient patrons. With your help, PolyTalk will expand the level of service available to limited English speaking library patrons.

Illinois libraries face a significant challenge communicating effectively with limited English proficient patrons. The linguistic diversity of the communities served by Illiinois libraries is increasing faster than the language capabilities of library staff. In fact, the U.S. Census reports that nearly one in five Illinois residents speaks a language other than English at home. Libraries need an efficient way to communicate with limited English proficient patrons. PolyTalk is based on the premise that by working together we can bridge the language barrier to make the resources of all Illinois libraries available to all patrons.

PolyTalk Libraries

All types of libraries, including academic, public, school, and special are encouraged to use the PolyTalk library interpreters network. Libraries need a computer with an Internet connection and a phone line. Each library staff person planning to use PolyTalk at participating libraries must sign up individually for the PolyTalk program via the PolyTalk database. As part of the PolyTalk program, a multilingual Language Kit to assist with basic library-specific interactions with limited English proficient patrons will be made available to library agencies. If any exchange with a limited English proficient patron proves to be too complicated, librarians are urged to locate and contact a volunteer interpreter from the PolyTalk database. See the Project Overview section of this website to learn more about participating in PolyTalk at your library.

PolyTalk Volunteer Interpreters

PolyTalk volunteer interpreters agree to allow library staff contact them by phone, during the hours the volunteer provides, to assist with interpretation between the librarian and patron. Volunteer interpreters will listen to the patron, analyze the message, and accurately convey its original meaning to the library staff person. It is important to note that interpreters do not interpret word-for-word but meaning-for-meaning, which means that librarians may notice non-English conversations seem to take longer. Many English concepts that are communicated in one or two words can take several phrases to accurately describe in another language, and vice versa. See the Project Overview section of this website to learn more about the role of a PolyTalk volunteer interpreter.