As the population of the United States becomes more diverse, the question of language in the library collection becomes more important and difficult. Libraries that once served exclusively English-speaking populations now serve communities that include growing Hispanic, Asian and/or other non-English speaking groups.

When does the minority language population become large enough to justify a collection of materials in the language? It is a difficult question to answer. But the question should be answered in the collection development policy, along with an explanation of how people will be served if the library does not have adequate materials in the language in which they are literate.

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