Building REFORMA's Information Technology Agenda
A Report and an Invitation

By the Information Technology Committee

During this past ALA Annual conference, REFORMA's Information Technology Committee hosted a general discussion on Technology and Latinos, to which all Reformistas were invited. The impetus for this meeting came from Richard Chabrán, a Reformista who had been following the Committee's work and suggested that before we continue with some major projects and agenda items, we invite the broad participation of all Reformistas in the agenda building. The good news is that we had a very fruitful discussion. The bad news is that we did not get many of you to come to the meeting. Perhaps there was not enough time for you to get the information and make plans to come. In the space below, we'd like to report on some of the questions that were raised and invite you to react and add your voice to the discussion. We'd like REFORMA's information technology agenda to reflect the interests and ideas of all of REFORMA, all of the chapters as well as all of the members at large, from every geographic region. We'd like to hear from Texas, Chicago, the Northwest, Florida, etc. From the most sabio technology wizard to the most timid aprendiz, and todos in between. To that end, the ITC will host another general discussion at ALA Midwinter January 2000 in San Antonio. The exact time and location are yet to be determined, but please consider attending that meeting as you make your Midwinter plans and making your unique voice heard. Also, please contact us in the coming months if you have any concerns or ideas.

We also have some news to report on the ITC's membership. We welcome new members Mario Ascencio, Selina Gómez Beloz, Richard Chabrán, and Lillian Castillo-Speed. We say good-bye and thank you for her foresight and leadership to Sandra Ríos- Balderrama, one of the original Co-Chairs and founder of the ITC. Isabel Espinal will join Carlos Rodríguez as the new Co-Chair. Romelia Salinas, Iván Calimano, and Héctor Marino will continue as members.

The ITC has begun to shape an information technology agenda into eight broad areas and has begun to ask some important questions. Please let us know what you think of the categories as well as the issues that are raised. This article is also available from the ITC’s website located at: http://www.reforma.org/ITC/

Demographics of the Digital Divide
By Richard Chabrán

The Secretary of the Department of Commerce, William M. Daley, recently commented that "In a society that increasingly relies on computers and the Internet to deliver information and enhance communication we need to make sure that all Americans have access." A number of recent studies reveal that there are disparities in access to telephones, personal computers, and the Internet. These disparities are marked by race, ethnicity, income, education and place of residence. These inequalities signal not only lack of access to technologies but, more fundamentally, access to resources which are becoming critical in today's society. It is in this larger sense that we refer to a "digital divide" between the haves and the have-nots. The use of high technologies among Latino communities is only now beginning to be investigated. Currently we do not have a demographic profile of Latinos that includes key technology and communication variables. At the national level the "Falling through the Net" series published by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has provided the most useful information. This influential series has noted that there is not only a persistent but an increasing gap in computer and on-line use among Latinos and African Americans. The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute has also made important contributions to our understanding of these issues, especially in the areas of computer ownership and school use. Regional trends are beginning to be tracked by research organizations like the Center for Virtual Research at the University of California, Riverside.

Early studies on high technologies in Latino communities focused on computer ownership. While the initial studies began to make the case that a "digital divide" exists, they told us little about how and where people were using these new technologies. More recent surveys have begun to include questions about types of computers, modems, on-line access and use and have begun to track where people use computers. We will need to track the introduction of other digital devices such as digital assistants e.g. pagers and monitor digital television as they begin broaden the ways in which people use high technologies. Reformistas can contribute to public understanding in this area by becoming aware of the issues, sharing that awareness with others, commenting on national studies, and advocating for local surveys in their region that document the use of high technologies in low-income communities. We need to advocate and work for the construction of a Latino demographic profile which includes relevant technological variables. Only then can we begin to more adequately plan for the future.

Impact of New Library Technology Resources on Latinos
By Isabel Espinal

While the introduction of new technologies is not new for libraries, the introduction of personal computers and the Internet as resources for patrons has presented new challenges and opportunities. Libraries are recognized as strategic sites which can help address the inequities in access to technology resources. In fact, libraries have been specifically identified as potential recipients in many federal programs aimed at employing high technologies in local communities. Libraries have also been the recipients of funds from private donors such as the Gates Foundation. As Reformistas, we are particularly interested in the answer to the following question: as libraries have introduced new technology resources, whether Internet access, CD-ROMs, scanners, or word processing, among others, what impact have they had on Latinos? Many libraries started offering Internet access without a thought about their Latino communities. There was no advertising of these Internet resources directed to the Latino communities; and when Internet classes were started, too often none were conducted in Spanish. Many times it took a Reformista to provide the appropriate outreach and services to Latinos. The failure of many public libraries and public academic libraries to provide technological resources to Latino communities must be addressed. More research needs to be done to ascertain the extent to which the library community is making technology resources accessible and relevant to Latinos. To that end, in March, 1998 Isabel Espinal of REFORMA's Information Technology Committee (ITC) produced a draft of a library survey, "Survey of Technology Service to the Spanish-speaking and Latinos" (available on the ITC website: http://www.reforma.org/ITC/). One organization which has begun to address how librarians can support public access computing for Spanish-speaking patrons is the GCTA Spanish Language Public Access Computing Project, a partnership between the Gates Center for Technology Access and public libraries throughout the country. REFORMA can serve as an independent monitor and resource for such projects that have corporate origins, as well as a partner, when appropriate.

But once Latinos gain access to technology, whether through libraries or through personal efforts, the question arises as to what impact the technology actually has on our economic, cultural, and personal lives. Rather than viewing that access as a panacea, it will become even more important to understand what obstacles and opportunities these new technologies hold for Latinos. There are many important questions for REFORMA to address. Does technology bridge the gap between immigrants and their countries of origin? Does technology help keep distinctive Latino cultures alive or does it lead to greater homogenization? Does technology help keep Latino families united or help tear them apart? REFORMA's Information Technology Committee feels these are areas where research, discussion and advocacy need to be developed. REFORMA also has a role in gathering, using, and furthering the research of those who are studying these vital questions, such as anthropologist Arturo Escobar and communications professor Henry Geddes.

Awareness and Instruction in an Age of Emerging Technologies
By Iván E. Calimano and Carlos Rodríguez

How will our communities be made aware of new technologies such as digital television, digital phone lines, cable modems, online banking, virtual reality, electronic books, and information appliances? Recent media coverage of the Internet has helped contribute to misunderstandings, misconceptions and, at times, unrealistic expectations about the Internet. REFORMA has an important role in promoting awareness of new technologies and instruction on how to use them. It can assist in promoting non-biased, informative, relevant and up-to-date information about these new technologies. This information should be non-threatening, easy-to-understand, and straightforward on hidden costs and possible social ramifications (such as privacy issues) associated with these technologies. It should also be focused on our current understanding of the demographic characteristics of Latinos. From recent studies we know that there is a correlation between educational attainment, computer ownership and Internet use. Latinos as a group have low educational attainment and low literacy rates. Literacy is a serious issue which needs to be more fully addressed in our communities. Many Latino households have little or no experience with technology. Many lack basic information technology skills such as keyboarding and mouse skills. Instructional programs should take into account demographic background such as language, education level, literacy, age, and access to technology.

The issue of awareness and instruction applies not only to patrons, but to librarians and library staff. Librarians and staff need to be prepared to both operate new technologies and to be aware of digital resources available to Latinos. Lastly, it is a crucial concern for the library profession as a whole to improve recruitment of librarians and other staff, especially Latinos, who will be most knowledgeable and effective in conducting instruction programs. We must insist that library schools and programs produce many more professionals with a blend of technical, linguistic and cultural skills that can make a difference in helping our Latino communities understand and use technology.


Partnerships with Other Organizations
By Mario Ascencio

In an effort to provide the best service to our constituencies, in particular the Latino community, REFORMA must collaborate with other organizations that are dealing with the same issue. Building bridges with other organizations, agencies, and foundations will be crucial in the designing and implementation of information and technology policy. In addition, such partnerships will benefit all parties involved, most importantly the public being served. So far, the REFORMA Information Technology Committee has identified the following organizations: the Benton Foundation, the Center for Virtual Research at the University of California at Riverside, the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute, the Julian Samora Research Institute, the Community Technology Centers Network (CTCNet), the Gates Center for Technology Access, ALA's Office of Information Technology Policy, Libraries for the Future, the National Information and Telecommunications Administration (NTIA), National Council of La Raza, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the Nonprofits' Policy & Technology Project (a Project of OMB Watch), the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives, and the Institute for Museum and Library Service. Furthermore, local chapters can also participate by identifying local partners, such as local Latino media (for example, La Opinión in Los Angeles and El Tiempo Latino in Washington D.C.). And of course, we should also reach out to the other ethnic caucuses within ALA and work with them to speak with a strong united voice. Reformistas are encouraged to assist their ITC in identifying other possible foundations and organizations with which to form partnerships in the cause for information technology equity.


The Need for Latino Digital Collections
By Lillian Castillo-Speed

In the same way that Latino print and audiovisual collections had to be rescued from neglect, ignorance, and efforts to downplay their significance, so we must think about what we need to do to preserve Latino digital collections. For example, at the beginning of the Chicano Movement, mainstream libraries either discarded or did not collect materials from the Chicano perspective. They were considered too political, too ephemeral, or too specialized. Chicano libraries in the Southwest were established by students who foresaw the need to document and preserve this information. The same was true for Puerto Rican, Dominican, and other ethnic collections. In the digital age we are faced with the same imperative to make sure that Latino materials are included in digitization projects, that the separation of important from trivial materials is done from Latino perspectives, and that the long-term preservation of Latino digitized materials --including images, listserv messages, text, audiovisual materials, websites, and other materials -- is planned for. For all we know, digitized documents may be the historical documents of the future, perhaps the only historical documents of the future. Our Latino identities and heritages must be represented in that future. Current large-scale digitization efforts must include Latino materials. We cannot assume that governmental or educational institutions will automatically consider them. Nor can we leave this to the vagaries of marketing decisions. Efforts such as CLNet in the University of California system focus only on Latino and other ethnic materials. REFORMA should support efforts such as these and work with them to establish common goals in this area. We must also remember that the particular technological tools that are used for preservation are not as important as the content itself or the ultimate users of that content.


Providing Access to Latino Digital Collections
By Lillian Castillo-Speed, Richard Chabrán and Carlos Rodríguez

The preservation and creation of Latino digital collections is imperative, but access to these collections is also essential to the needs of REFORMA's constituency. We as librarians have always utilized a range of access tools. This will continue to be true in the digital era, whether using digitized finding aids to peruse archives or Internet search tools to access the variety of digitized media (audio, video, images, and text). Over the past two decades Latino librarians have made critical advances in the development of digital access tools. Some examples include: online catalogs of Latino and ethnic collections, indexes to periodical literature such as the Chicano Database and the Hispanic American Periodicals Index (HAPI), and subject vocabularies such as the Chicano Thesaurus and Bilindex. It is not often acknowledged that library catalogs were the first access tools on the Internet. The further development and growth of the Internet offers librarians another opportunity to develop culturally relevant access tools to identify and access relevant Internet resources. There are many possible ways for new tools to be developed. However, before developing these new tools we should ask ourselves some important questions. Are the existing access tools meeting the needs of the Latino community? Can existing tools be modified to include Internet resources? How is the Latino community currently accessing information on the Internet? How successful are Latinos in locating the information they are seeking? What will be the criteria for the inclusion of resources provided by access tools? Will we continue to use our existing culturally relevant subject vocabularies? And will subject specialists be responsible for selecting, describing and indexing these new resources? Although the Internet is growing at a rapid pace, we also need to educate the Latino community that not everything can be found on the Internet nor is it just a mouse click away. In fact, it is this exponential growth that will provide the challenge for librarians to create and provide these access tools. Since many Reformistas over the years have been engaged in the development of analog as well as digital access tools for a wide variety of materials, REFORMA is in a good position to make important contributions in this area. The first step is to begin a dialogue about the best way to proceed. In any case, REFORMA should support existing access projects while at the same time determining steps for the future.


Advancing the Organization through Technology
By Romelia Salinas

Technological advances have created a wealth of new tools from which REFORMA can benefit. REFORMA should continue to integrate appropriate technologies into the organization. The ITC should investigate how REFORMA National and REFORMA chapters use technology in their organizational and procedural processes and identify areas that can be improved or facilitated through technology. These areas should then be prioritized and a plan for implementation should be created. Areas may include communication, publications, education, recruitment and administration. For example the ITC may facilitate the conversion of our current membership database into an Access database which can be digitally disseminated or manipulated. Furthermore it may be decided that making the database web accessible to certain individuals may benefit the organization. Another example might be the creation of an electronic discussion list to improve and facilitate communication among the Executive Board between the two yearly meetings. The integration of technology in an effective and appropriate manner should be identified, encouraged and facilitated by the ITC.

An Information Technology Policy for REFORMA
By Richard Chabrán and Isabel Espinal

Because of REFORMA's unique position as a national organization that is involved with literacy, information, libraries and underserved populations, it is important for REFORMA to develop an information technology policy agenda. This means being aware of government and corporate policies that affect access to information technologies, as well as formulating and advocating for public policy that furthers our overall agenda. Some of the current technology policy areas are: universal service (often called e-rate); communications policies concerning cable television and direct broadcast satellites; and national legislation that authorizes grant monies for technology projects. Public Space in Cyberspace, a 1999 publication of Libraries for the Future, provides information on how organizations like REFORMA can go about working on information technology policy at the local, state, and national levels.


What’s Ahead

We hope that these introductory abstracts will form the basis for draft position papers that will be created in the coming months and presented at our Midwinter general forum. The position papers would include suggested action items, which will need to be prioritized. But an actual, final agenda will not be completed until we've heard from as many of you as possible. The conclusion of the Midwinter meeting is our target deadline for your input in this part of the process. The work, however, will continue. Our goal here is to identify the relevant technology issues, to raise the awareness of these issues among Reformistas, and to develop spaces and projects within REFORMA for these issues to be addressed. Ultimately, we need to act on these issues. (Indeed, to some extent, we already have.) We as Reformistas are activists, and as librarians are practitioners. We foresee the creation of working groups to tackle the different priority areas, turning them into action items and projects that REFORMA can realistically accomplish.

One last word, if you are interested in getting involved right away, Co-Chair Carlos Rodríguez is beginning to form preliminary working groups. You may contact him at carlos@citrus.ucr.edu or (909)787-6442. Some of you have already responded to a call for volunteers that was done last year. Rest assured, we have not forgotten you and will begin to contact you shortly.

Thank you for your time. ¡Adelante!