The Park City Library has made significant strides in enhancing accessibility and community engagement through the expansion of its Spanish and bilingual programming over the past year. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that all residents, regardless of their linguistic background, can benefit from library services and resources. With the appointment of Flor Santa Maria as the Spanish Services Librarian in November 2024, the library has embarked on a comprehensive strategy to broaden its offerings, focusing specifically on Spanish-language services. Under her leadership, the library has developed a variety of programs and resources aimed at fostering cultural connection and promoting literacy among Spanish-speaking families. In 2026, Santa Maria reported that the library's Spanish-language collection has reached its largest size to date, reflecting a commitment to meeting community needs. The collection continues to evolve, with a particular emphasis on accessibility. The library is not only adding more Spanish-language books but is also integrating bilingual materials into existing resources. This includes audiobooks, learning tools, and even segments of its memory care collection that were previously available only in English. The aim is to create an inclusive environment where all community members feel welcome to explore and utilize library resources. The library’s programming efforts have also taken a significant step forward, with events designed to engage families and individuals at various levels of language proficiency. Santa Maria highlighted successful past events such as "Sabores Hispanos — Empanada Edition," which offered family-friendly activities and cultural experiences for attendees. The feedback from these events has been overwhelmingly positive, with families expressing appreciation for the opportunity to engage in a bilingual setting. “It’s been really fulfilling to see families come back, to see kids grow up in these programs and feel comfortable using Spanish here,” Santa Maria said, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe space for language learning and cultural exchange. Instead of treating Spanish-language services as an isolated segment, the library aims to weave them into the fabric of all its offerings. Santa Maria explained that many events invite participation without requiring fluency in either language. “A lot of our events don’t require perfect English or Spanish. People can just show up, watch what’s happening and take part,” she stated. This approach not only promotes inclusivity but also helps break down barriers that might prevent individuals from engaging with the library. To further enrich the community’s experience, the library has introduced programs tailored for different age groups. Family storytime and bilingual baby programs create an engaging environment where young children can develop early literacy skills in both languages. Santa Maria noted that many children who initially had limited Spanish skills are now confidently answering questions in Spanish, marking a significant achievement in language development. For older participants, the library offers the English-Spanish Conversation Club. This informal setting allows teens and adults to practice their conversational skills while interacting with their neighbors. Santa Maria is currently updating the club’s format to introduce new tools and activities that resonate with the local community, aiming to keep sessions welcoming and accessible. The library’s commitment to community feedback has been instrumental in shaping its offerings. Starting in late February, the library will launch Maker Thursdays, a new bi-monthly workshop series primarily aimed at adults. These sessions will focus on practical skills such as tile work and air-dry clay projects, providing participants with hands-on experiences that could evolve into personal ventures or side hustles. This initiative was born from conversations with Latino community members who expressed a desire for creative workshops that serve a practical purpose. To enhance accessibility for Spanish-speaking patrons, Santa Maria has also begun attending the library’s long-running Tuesday night legal clinics to provide live Spanish interpretation as needed. Additionally, the library has hired several new bilingual staff members in recent months, further enhancing day-to-day support and allowing more programs to be promoted as bilingual. To help visitors easily identify inclusive programming, the library has introduced a visual marker on its calendar to indicate which events are bilingual. This change aims to alleviate any uncertainty among community members who may feel that certain events are not intended for them. Outreach efforts have also intensified, with library staff participating in community events to promote Spanish-language books and programs, an endeavor that has seen growing interest from both native and non-native speakers. Collaborations with neighboring libraries in Summit and Wasatch counties are also underway, focusing on resource sharing and joint programming, including a regional health fair planned for later this year. The overarching goal, as articulated by Santa Maria, is to create a library environment where all individuals feel welcome and to reshape perceptions about what a library can offer. “I want people to feel comfortable coming into the library and using the space,” she concluded, emphasizing the library’s role as a community hub for learning, connection, and cultural exchange.