Reforma, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, celebrated 40 years of advocacy at its 4th National Conference in Denver, September 15–18. Fittingly, the conference, whose theme was: “Elevating Latino Library Services to a Higher Level,” coincided with the Diez y Seis de Septiembre (the anniversary of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain) and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Attendees were welcomed by conference co-chair Ramiro Salazar, director of the San Antonio Public Library, who noted, “What makes this conference special is that we bring together Reformistas and celebrate 40 years of service and the many contributions and successes Reforma has achieved over the years.” María Guajardo, executive director of the Mayor’s Office for Education and Children for the City of Denver—and the daughter of illiterate Mexican immigrant parents who went on to graduate from Harvard and receive master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Denver—praised the work of Reformistas. “When I look out into the audience, what I see is an audience of leaders. It doesn’t matter—past leaders, emerging leaders, whatever—what I understand is that leaders of the spoken and written word, the keepers, the gatekeepers, are in this room. The work that you do makes growing up a little easier for our people.”
Programming highlighted the leadership roles Reforma has taken within the profession and in local communities. Past ALA president Camila Alire, Reforma lifetime member Patty Wong, and 2011–2012 ALA President Molly Raphael led the session, “Why Libraries Matter: Empowering Community Voices,” which focused on the advocacy work librarians can accomplish and the opportunities they can provide for community members to join in speaking out for libraries. Several programs also explored issues of recruitment and retention of future Latino library leaders. In “Emerging Best Practices for Latino/a Recruitment in Academic Librarianship,” Mark Puente of the Association of Research Libraries, Sandy Littletree of the University of Arizona’s Knowledge River Program, and Rae-Ann Montague of the LIS Access Midwest Program (LAMP), discussed the progress and challenges of Latino recruitment, including the importance of building communities of new professionals who work together towards mutual success.
Certainly a highlight of the conference was the 40 Years of Reforma Commemorative Banquet and Dance, an evening that featured awards, reflections, and celebration of Reforma’s most significant accomplishments. Past Reforma presidents Lucía González and Oralia Garza de Cortés recounted the association’s significant contributions to children’s literacy, including the founding of the Pura Belpre Award and El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day). The 2011 Arnulfo D. Trejo Librarian of the Year award was presented to Juan Carlos Rodríguez, of Grand Valley (Mich.) State University, for his recent significant contributions towards Reforma’s selection and implementation of an Association Management System and his promotion of the association through technologies.
In her opening session keynote, Elizabeth Martinez, director of the Salinas (Calif.) Public Library and past executive director of the American Library Association, recalled the climate in the late 1960s and early 1970s that spurred the establishment of Reforma and continues to drive its work. Martinez recalled how, at a screening of I am Joaquin, she was approached by La Raza Co-editor Joe Razo. “They wanted Spanish-language books and Chicano materials. They wanted Spanish-speaking librarians. They wanted use of the library meeting rooms. They wanted inclusion. They’re still the things that we want today.”
Established in 1971 as an affiliate of ALA, Reforma has actively sought to promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino-oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share those goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population in regards to the availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos. To learn more, please visit www.reforma.org.
MIGUEL FIGUEROA is director of ALA’s Office for Diversity.