Delores Carlito

Delores Carlito - STATEMENT

Vice President / President Elect

As a child, I moved at least once every year. Since we packed our belongings so often, we did not own many books. I was a voracious reader, so in each new city, my mother and I located the public library.

It took many years for me to realize that my professional home was to be the library. Thanks to the Spectrum Scholarship and Camila Alire’s mentorship, I discovered REFORMA. REFORMA accepted, embraced, and encouraged me, and I have been a member for my entire 25-year career. REFORMA’s support helped shape my work, and now, I want to give back to the community that gave me so much. I hope you will consider my nomination for the position of Vice President/President Elect of REFORMA.

I strongly support mentorship and coaching. We seasoned librarians have a responsibility to prepare and nurture the next generation of librarians, regardless of their library or role. At ALA, I have been actively involved with mentoring, and I created a formalized mentoring program at my university. I am the faculty advisor for S.A.L.S.A., the Spanish and Latino Student Association at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, supporting a student group that represents only 11% of the campus undergraduate population. My current research focuses on providing library support and a positive college experience to Latine students, especially in non-HSIs or predominantly white institutions. Without REFORMA members actively including me, introducing me to key leaders, and telling me I could succeed, I would not be where I am today.

My leadership experience within REFORMA and the American Library Association has given me firsthand knowledge of advocacy, scholarship, and community-building. I served as the national Secretary of REFORMA for four years, from 2004-2008. I’ve also worked on the REFORMA Scholarship Committee and the Legislative Committee, and I was Chair of the Scholarship Committee from 2016-2020. I was one of the founding members of REFORMA Academic Librarians Advancing Service (ALAS) Committee. I have played a role in shaping mentoring programs at ACRL through my work on the Dr. E.J. Josey Spectrum Scholar Advisory and Mentor Program Committees. I spent my final year in the Mentor Program Committee as Chair.

Latines are not a monolithic group, and that intersectionality is reflected through REFORMA members’ backgrounds, types of libraries, languages, localities, and patrons. I am a “no sabo” kid, knowing little Spanish because my father believed “in the United States, they speak English.” I understand how complex identity can be, fractured, yet ingrained at the same time. Having grown up around diversity in cultures, states, and languages, I also know what it is like to adjust to fit both your own personal identity and the identities urged on you by others. That understanding is the basis of my leadership and deepens my commitment to fostering inclusivity.

Libraries hold communities, stories, and possibilities. REFORMA has given me opportunities for advocacy, organization, education, and betterment, and I am eager to give that same support to others. I would be honored to serve as Vice President/President Elect and continue advancing our mission.