The library ecosystem encompasses the life cycles of both our users (to provide representation and touchstones at each stage of a person’s life) and library workers (to assist at each stage of our careers). Seasons come and go, but libraries are always present: creating community, ensuring representation, and upholding our values. Here are some roles … Continue reading Representation Matters
In a general session of the American Library Association’s 2022 Annual Conference and Exhibition on June 25, Hinojosa drew parallels between journalism and librarianship and touched on the privileges and responsibilities that come with handling stories and information, especially during distressing times. “What we all understand is that we have this privilege, and when we … Continue reading Our Shared Responsibility
Conceived in 1996 by author Pat Mora, with support from Reforma and the Association for Library Service to Children, Día is a celebration of children, literacy, and diversity. This year will mark 20 years that San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) has been proudly supporting Día in our community, with the goal of connecting kids to … Continue reading Spreading ‘Bookjoy’
I knew visiting immediately after the hurricane made landfall on September 20 was not the best strategy—the libraries were still closed, and library workers were grappling with conditions in both their homes and their workplaces. But as soon as I heard that some libraries were opening, I told my colleagues at the American Library Association … Continue reading Rebuilding Puerto Rican Libraries
Now librarians around the country are working to assist in recovery efforts and connect patrons—particularly those of Hispanic and Latin heritage—with support groups, aid organizations, and other resources. Loida Garcia-Febo, president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA), who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, said the disaster there is personal: Her family is still … Continue reading Rebuilding Communities after Disasters
The refugee crisis isn’t new. According to the US State Department, more than 3.3 million refugees—persons fleeing their home country to escape persecution, war, or violence—have resettled in the US since 1975. But the summit seemed timely, as the legality as to who should be welcomed within US borders is tested, and debate among the … Continue reading Resources for Resettlement
In 1996, Oralia Garza de Cortes and Sandra Rios Balderrama, members of Reforma (the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate) worked with Linda Perkins, former president of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), to create the Pura Belpré Award, honoring Belpré’s memory and celebrating … Continue reading Pura Belpré Award to Celebrate
20th Year
Luis J. Rodriguez, poet laureate of Los Angeles, kicked off his opening keynote with an inspiring presentation on the importance of libraries for underrepresented populations. He tied his personal struggles as a youth to his motivation for building cultural values in his community, leading to the founding of Tia Chucha Press, a renowned small crosscultural … Continue reading Reforma National Conference Wraps Up
The Latino community, for example, “is constantly shifting and changing,” said Denice Adkins of Reforma, but the unifying group for advocacy within the Latino community of librarians is the association, she said. Because a variety of cultures make up the community, Adkins emphasized that Latino librarians need to “have a voice in librarianship.” Jerome Offord … Continue reading Ethnic Caucus Presidents Discuss Advocacy at JCLC
