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<br /> 2 <br /> 2) Create a Job Information Center to assist <br /> persons for whom English is a second language in <br /> a successful transition into the work force, The <br /> center will provide resources for exploring career <br /> options; information on vocational training programs <br /> and related employment services in the area; and aid <br /> in the development of job search skills, <br /> 3) Publicize these services to those for whom English <br /> is a second language, <br /> II. PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION TO BE SERVED <br /> According to the 1980 U,S. Census of Population and Housing, <br /> the city of San Marcos has a total population of 23,420. Of <br /> these, 38% are over five years old and speak a language other <br /> than English in the home, (The census figures do not provide <br /> information on the number of children under five who live in <br /> homes in which a language other than English is the primary <br /> language,) <br /> Further analysis of the population shows that 86% of those <br /> who speak English as a second language (33% of the total <br /> population) come from homes where Spanish is the primary <br /> language spoken, <br /> Although the ESL population is a substantial percentage of <br /> our overall population, we are only beginning to serve their <br /> library and information needs, Therefore, we are applying <br /> for an LSCA Title I grant to address this problem. <br /> I I I. STATEMENT OF NEED <br /> A survey in January 1988 revealed that 21% of our library <br /> card holders were Hispanic. One year later this figure had <br /> risen to 29%, an 8% increase, This growth can be attributed <br /> in part to our Lifelong Learning Project funded by LSCA <br /> grants, <br /> While much progress has been made in this area, the Hispanic <br /> population is still underserved when it comes to library <br /> service, Hispanics represent 37% of the community but only <br /> 29% of our library card holders, We wi 11 need to increase <br /> the number of Hispanic library card holders by an additional <br /> 8% if we hope to provide service to them in proportion to <br /> their numbers in the overall population, <br /> While the number of Hispanic library card holders is not an <br /> exact indicator of our service to the English as a second <br /> language (ESL) population, we feel it is one of the most <br /> valid and readily available measures of the library's <br /> visibility and relevance to the ESL community, If the <br />