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Edwin Rodarte

Edwin Rodarte - STATEMENT

Vice President / President Elect


I have been a proud member of REFORMA for nearly fifteen years. Through REFORMA, I found not just colleagues, but a familia that has nurtured my growth, sharpened my voice, and deepened my commitment to equity and access. As the child of immigrant parents and someone who spent a large portion of my life in Mexico, I understand firsthand how vital libraries are to newcomers and Latino communities. When I arrived in the United States at age 15, I struggled with language barriers and feeling out of place. Libraries, and later, REFORMA, became spaces of connection, learning, and transformation.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving REFORMA in several leadership roles. I began as secretary of the Orange County Chapter and later served as president of the Los Angeles Chapter. For nearly eight years, I have served as REFORMA’s Technology Chair, supporting the organization's online membership software and communication tools. I’ve also been honored to serve on award committees, including the 2018 Pura Belpré Award Committee and the inaugural REFORMA National Book Award Committee in 2024. In 2019, I was humbled to receive REFORMA’s Librarian of the Year Award, and I am currently part of the planning committee for the upcoming REFORMA National Conference in Long Beach this September.

REFORMA has been a guiding force in my career, providing mentors, friendships, and opportunities to grow. Now, I seek the honor of serving as your Vice President/President-Elect to give back to the organization that has given me so much. I am deeply committed to advancing REFORMA’s mission to promote equitable library and information services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking.

If elected, my goals include:
  • Strengthening internal communication across all REFORMA chapters to foster greater collaboration and transparency.
  • Expanding international membership and enhancing our Spanish-language web presence to better serve global Spanish-speaking communities.
  • Launching a REFORMA training and professional development initiative to ensure members have access to relevant, high-quality learning opportunities.
My vision is a unified and empowered REFORMA, one that celebrates our collective talents, builds bridges between communities, and continues to lead the way in equitable library service.

As a proud Reformista, I respectfully ask for your support and your vote.