Pre-Conference Schedule

Seminar A:  Librarians Without Walls: Working with the Community/Bibliotecarios sin Paredes: Trabajando con la Comunidad

Speaker:  Cristina Dominguez Ramirez, Collection Librarian for Social & Behavioral Sciences/ Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

Cost: $50 (REFORMA Member); $75 (Non-Member)

This seminar will discuss how to make the most of your role as academic or public librarian to promote educational programs, outreach, community engagement, and information sharing with the local Latino community and the larger multi-ethnic community. As REFORMA librarians, we hold many keys to information management as well as a responsibility to help promote Latino education and education of the larger community. This can be accomplished through our work in networking with community organizations, other library and information professionals, academic departments and units, service workers, non-profit agencies, and student groups. The use of Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites and media help to bridge physical barriers in order to promote programs, activities, information, and events to the community.

[ Register for Seminar A ]

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Seminar B:  Finding Reliable Health Information for Latino Communities (Cancelled)

Speaker: Yamila El-Khayat, Outreach Services Librarian, Arizona Health Sciences Library

Cost: $50 (REFORMA Member); $75 (Non-Member)

This seminar will provide insight in the effective use of internet health information resources, highlighting the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) products. Databases with culturally appropriate information such as Medline Plus and a few others will be introduced in hopes to improve access to reliable health information in our Latino communities. Our goal is to provide access to health information so that informed decisions about health are made.

[ SEMINAR B HAS BEEN CANCELLED ]

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Seminar C:  Volunteer-Based Adult Education Programs for Hispanics: A Case Study of the Plaza Comunitaria @ Richardson Public Library

Speaker: Yolanda Medina, Coordinator, Richardson Public Library

Cost: $50 (REFORMA Member); $75 (Non-Member)

Plaza Comunitaria is a volunteer-based, free of charge, adult literacy program for Hispanics in collaboration with the Mexican Institute of Adult Education (INEA), the Richardson Independent School District and the Richardson Public Library. There are over 400 Plazas Comunitarias in the United States. This program allows Hispanics to learn to read and write in their native language, complete Elementary and Intermediate level education, transition into GED preparation, learn English as a Second Language, and learn computer and life skills. The seminar would explain the process in opening a Plaza Comunitaria in your library and how the program works using the Richardson Public Library as a case study.

Cost: $50 (REFORMA Member); $75 (Non-Member)

The goal of this workshop is to offer Children and Youth Services Librarians, and Educators a variety of library program ideas that will enhance bilingual programming. As the Hispanic population increases, there is a growing need for more quality bilingual programming for children in libraries, schools and other entities. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce the importance of quality bilingual children's programs that incorporated math, reading, science and writing skills using creative and fun manipulatives. This program will follow the theme for the RNC IV conference "Elevating Latino Services to a Higher Level: Juntos in the Mile High City!" by offering and demonstrating quality bilingual children's programs. The presentation will include a how-to hands-on programs geared for babies through elementary age children. A large portion of the presentation will cover the "Para los ninos" program http://www.cmhouston.org/losninos/ and will be dedicated as a tribute to Rose Trevino who was an advocate for the "Para los ninos" outreach program.