This article explores the information desk of a city library as a site for language learning. Using a linguistic ethnographic approach, the interactions between a customer experience and information assistant and the many library users who approach her information desk were analysed. Findings are that, in addition to providing information about library resources, information desks are sites at which bits and pieces of different languages are taught and learned. Such language teaching and learning episodes created interactions of inclusion and welcome that went far beyond purely transactional information. Rather, language-related episodes created moments of human contact and engagement, which were upheld through the translanguaging practices of interactants, the disposition and workplace competence of library staff, and the spatial ecology of the information desk. Furthermore, the article contributes to ongoing theoretical debates about translanguaging by noting that normativity and pressure toward uniformity are as much a part of languaging processes as creativity and flexibility. Our definition of translanguaging recognises the opposing pull of centrifugal and centripetal forces. The article ends by asking what schools, and language education, might learn from public libraries in creating arenas that maintain communitarianism, diversity of expression, and the development of civic skills.

中文翻译：

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跨语言和公共服务遭遇：图书馆中的语言学习

本文探讨了作为语言学习网站的城市图书馆的信息台。使用语言人种学方法，分析了客户体验和信息助理与许多接近她的信息台的图书馆用户之间的互动。调查结果是，除了提供有关图书馆资源的信息外，信息台还是教授和学习不同语言的点点滴滴的场所。这种语言教学和学习活动创造了包容和欢迎的互动，远远超出了纯粹的交易信息。相反，与语言相关的情节创造了人类接触和参与的时刻，通过互动者的跨语言实践、图书馆工作人员的性格和工作场所能力得到了维护，以及咨询台的空间生态。此外，本文还指出规范性和统一性压力与创造力和灵活性一样是语言过程的一部分，从而对正在进行的关于跨语言的理论辩论做出了贡献。我们对跨语言的定义承认离心力和向心力的相反拉力。文章最后询问了哪些学校和语言教育可以从公共图书馆中学习，以创建保持社区主义、表达多样性和公民技能发展的舞台。我们对跨语言的定义承认离心力和向心力的相反拉力。文章最后询问了哪些学校和语言教育可以从公共图书馆中学习，以创建保持社区主义、表达多样性和公民技能发展的舞台。我们对跨语言的定义承认离心力和向心力的相反拉力。文章最后询问了哪些学校和语言教育可以从公共图书馆中学习，以创建保持社区主义、表达多样性和公民技能发展的舞台。