Group+overview

While there are an estimated 37.4 million Latinos in the United States according to 2002 Census Bureau records, Cubans make up a small percentage compared to other groups.
 * Hispanics in the U.S.**

(from //The Hispanic Population in the United States: March 2002// - U.S. Census Bureau)

Although Cubans have had a long history of migrating to the United States, often for political reasons, the most significant Cuban migrations have occurred in the last 45 years. The more recent migrants seem to have fled Cuba because of declining economic conditions at home and to escape the socialist environment lead by Fidel Castro. Therefore, moving to the United States has been the goal of a population hoping for a richer life for themselves and their families. Some sources note that there have been several major migrations since 1959. The first was immediately after Castro took power and continued until the U.S. blockade in 1962, resulting in 200,000-250,000 Cubans migrating to the U.S. The next wave took place from 1962 and continued through 1973. Nearly 300,000 Cubans took part in this migration. The third migration - the Mariel Boat Lift of 1980 - took place over 6 months, yet 125,000 Cubans migrated to the U.S. in this short period. Some Cubans had hoped to return to Cuba after Castro was ousted, but that ouster has not happened. While the oust has not happened, Fidel Castro turned the reigns to Cuba's government over to his brother, Raúl Castro, for a period in 2006, while Fidel was ill. In 2008, FIdel Castro announced that he would not run for President again, and his brother replaced him in this position. Recent surveys have shown that now at least 70 percent of Cuban Americans said that they do not wish to return to Cuba. Some people still try to migrate to the U.S., with more recent migrants generally being poorer and less educated than the first waves of immigrants.
 * History in the U.S.**

Miami, Florida is the primary center for the Cuban American community, consisting of approximately 63 percent of the total Cuban American population. While some cities have Chinatowns and Little Italys, Miami has Little Havana. There are also large communities in New York, California, and New Jersey, comprising 23 percent of the Cuban American population. According to the March 2002 United States Census, approximately 3.7% of the United States population are individuals of Cuban descent, with 75 percent being southern residents.
 * Current locations**

Hispanics are much more likely than non-Hispanic whites to be unemployed, with 6.1 percent to be Cubans.
 * Demographics**

//Ages// Distinct age differences emerge among Hispanic subgroups. More than 20 percent of Cuban Americans are 65 or older. Twenty percent of Cubans are younger than 18 years of age. Cubans have a median age of 42.7, much higher than the median age of 35.9 of the total U.S. population.

//Literacy Level - English & Spanish// As of 2002, the Spanish literacy rate in Cuba, defined as those age 15 and over who could read and write, was 99.8% In the United State; most Cuban Americans are bilingual. Many speak English in public, at work, and in school, while they speak Spanish in private and at home. Many Cuban American immigrants are also included in the population pursuing higher education degrees. These bilingual students have Spanish as their primary language.

//Education Level// Within the Cuban American community, there is a strong focus of education. Many Cuban Americans pursue higher education opportunities; they are an increasing population in American colleges and universities.

According to the American Community Survey's 2006-2008 estimates, while there are an estimated 118,905 Hispanic/Latino residents in Rhode Island, only an estimated 1,624 are Cuban. These ratios trend along the general population ratios of Latinos in the U.S. These numbers may also indicate, however, that while some of Cuban Americans' information needs may be met, they may more often be included in services intended for Latinos in general, rather than as a distinct group.
 * Cuban Americans in Rhode Island**

More than any other Hispanic migrant group, Cuban Americans have shown willingness, interest, and ability to pay for private and higher education for their children. Of native-born Cuban Americans, almost 47 percent have attended private schools. Cuban-Americans value education highly and consider the idea of education as a fundamental part of succeeding and moving ahead in life. Therefore, they support the education causes leading to “the American dream.”
 * Learning characteristics**

Due to the high interest level in upper education, libraries should make available resources to guide Cuban-Americans to achieve their educational goals. A database may be created offering a directory of colleges and universities in the United States, with links to individual colleges and academic offerings. Librarians may offer to introduce Cuban-Americans to the databases and also provide financial aid information and the necessary steps to apply for funds. For Cuban-Americans seeking employment, resources could be provided that list job openings. Librarians could provide tutorials on how to search openings, post resumes to employment websites, and provide assistance in applying to positions using online applications.
 * Information needs**

The first independent library formed in Cuba was opened in 1998 and named the Felix Varela Library in the city of Las Tunas. It was located in the apartment of Berta Mexidor, an economist, and her husband, Ramon Colas, a psychologist. As of 2007, 100 independent libraries now exist in Cuba and are located in the homes of volunteers, in lieu of the threats, intimidation, police raids, arrests, physical assaults, evictions, and confiscations that exist in Cuba. Many libraries have been established by groups of teachers, journalists, and religious denominations, while the majority are affiliated with the project begun by Ramon Colas and Berta Mexidor. The libraries offer public access to uncensored books,. They also sponsor uncensored debates, seminars, public meetings, art exhibits, literary contests and children's programs, all free of government control.
 * History of libraries in Cuba**

The intensity of Cuban censorship is summarized in President Fidel Castro's sweeping remark that "All criticism is opposition and all opposition is counterrevolutionary." According to Amnesty International, "[F]reedom of expression, association and assembly are severely restricted in law and in practice [for Cuban citizens].... Those who attempt to express views, organize meetings or form organizations that conflict with government policy are frequently subjected to punitive measures." These statements were addressed by the Friends of Cuban Libraries Organization.

Gatekeepers exist in a communities. Gatekeepers, by their very nature, have the ability to both effect communities in both positive and negative ways. The library gatekeepers, which include all staff, have this same power. The degree of gatekeeping depends on the library staff's position. Accordingly, the library director has the most gatekeeping ability and a page or volunteer the least. Regardless of the degree of gatekeeping power, all library staff must share a common goal or mission, to provide outstanding service to all patrons. In our situation, we will relay of the power and knowledge of the library director and the bilingual librarian to act as gatekeepers that enable positive outcomes for all patrons.
 * The library community and the Cuban-American community at large**

Our library, with the guidance of the library director and the bilingual librarian, will develop a bilingual library committee that address the wants and needs of bilingual patrons. This engagement plan is manifest in each section of this wiki. Please visit each section of the wiki in order to understand the engagement plan.


 * Using Demographic Data to identify a need for service**

As we look at the demographic information on age distribution, education attainment, income level, labor force, unemployment, and language spoken at home, we are better able to address the specific needs of our Cuban American patrons. It is important to note here that demographics only represent one half of the information needs of library patrons. Librarians must also reach out to patrons via informal interviews, surveys, and even focus groups. Listed below are some of the ideas, based on demographics, that will guide us in our service to our Cuban American patrons.

Since the demographics show 20% of the Cuban-American population to be over the age of 65, it would be thoughtful to offer a few programs to this group. Basic computer lessons could be offered at the library or also at the senior center. Coupled with the lessons, the bilingual librarian could also teach the seniors the world of social networking in an attempt for the seniors to reach out to other members of the Cuban-American population.

//American fact finder//. (2010). Retrieved from []
 * Sources:**

Buffington, S. (2009). Cuban Americans. //Countries and their cultures//. Retrieved June 2, 2010 from []

Cuban American demographics. (2005). //Havana Journal//, Retrieved from []

Kent, R. (2010, April 29). //Friends of Cuban libraries//. Retrieved from http://www.friendsofcubanlibraries.org

Ramirez, R.R., & de la Cruz, G.P. (2003). Current population reports. //U.S. Census Bureau//, Retrieved from []

Vecoli, R.J., Galens, J., Sheets, A.J., & Young, R.V. (1995). //Gale encyclopedia of multicultural America//. Detroit: Gale Research

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