Concurrent Sessions

Friday 11:00am - 12:15pm Friday 2:15pm - 3:30pm Friday 3:45pm - 5:00pm Saturday 9:45am - 11:00am Saturday 2:00pm - 3:15pm Saturday 3:30pm - 4:45pm


Friday, September 16, 2011

Session 1: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm

 

1.1 Continental A

Up Close with Elizabeth Martinez

Presenter: Elizabeth Martinez, Library Director, Salinas Public Library, CA; RNC IV Keynote Speaker.

Here is an opportunity to dialogue and network with leader, visionary, advocate, REFORMA co-founder, and Latina library superstar Elizabeth Martinez, Director, Salinas Public Library.

Ms. Martinez was appointed Library Director at the Salinas Public Library in September 2007 to restore the Library after a funding crisis closed the system libraries in 2005. She will discuss how she turned lemons into lemonade by creating a vibrant public library system. In 2009, Ms. Martinez received the first annual Public Official of the Year award from the Salinas Chamber of Commerce in honor of her service to the community. Elizabeth’s vision for Salinas is that every student has a library card, everyone knows how to read, and every resident feels better after using the Salinas Public Library.

 

1.2 Continental B

Career Paths, Roadblocks, and Dead Ends

Panel: Ricardo Antoni, Adult Services Librarian, San Francisco Public Library, CA; Peggy Cabrera, Librarian, San José State University, CA; María Kramer, REFORMA President and Manager, Redwood City Public Library, CA; Rita Torres, Retired Librarian, San José Public Library, CA.

Speakers will discuss their library career paths and experiences and the guidelines they have used to achieve success. An annual career "check-up" will be explained to determine where one might be in relation to one’s career goals.

 

1.3 Continental C

Exploring the Daily Experiences of Latino Youth with Authentic Children's and Young Adult Literature

Panel: Oralia Garza de Cortés, Latino Children's Literature Consultant, Austin, TX; René Colato Laínez, Children's author and classroom teacher, Los Angeles, CA; Mara Price, Children’s book author and illustrator; Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo, Assistant and EBSCO-Foster Endowed Professor, University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa; and 15 Poster Presenters.

In the past, Latino children's literature has tended to focus on fiestas, quinceañeras, and other celebrations rather than exemplifying the daily experiences and family life of contemporary Latinos. This session will encompass a guided discussion on the authentic Latino experience in youth literature with award-winning Latino children's authors René Colato Laínez and Mara Price. The session will also critically examine themes in contemporary Latino youth literature via a poster session by graduate students and other researchers.

 

1.4 Blake

Educating Spanish-Speaking Elementary Students in Arizona: Challenges and Limitations

Presenters: Dr. Patricia Montiel-Overall, Associate Professor, University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science; Elizabeth Redondo, Principal, McCorkle PreK-8 Elementary School, Tucson, AZ and Adjunct Professor, University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science.

This session is designed for school librarians working with Spanish-speaking children. Information about Arizona's model for Spanish-speaking children is the focus of this session. The presentation reports on the placement of children in English language development (ELD) classrooms. Presenters will share information about required ELD four-hour blocks of instruction for Spanish speaking children. Arizona Department of Education's requirement limiting the use of Spanish for instruction in the classroom will also be presented. Presenters will provide information about second language acquisition and the relationship between research and current state laws regulating instruction for English language learners in Arizona. This presentation will highlight how a Tucson school is addressing challenges and limitations of state laws, which mandate the current model for English language learners (ELLs).

 

1.5 Tabor Auditorium

A Dream Deferred: The DREAM Act and American Libraries

Presenters: Dr. Alejandra Rincón, Author, Undocumented Immigrants and Higher Education: ¡Sí Se Puede! and Vice-President of Programs, Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Susan C. Luévano, Anthropology, Ethnic & Women’s Studies Librarian, California State University-Long Beach.

Dr. Rincón will review the historic struggle of undocumented students to gain equal access to higher education through in-state tuition laws and the continuous fight for passage of the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act. The DREAM Act is a federal legislative proposal that would provide for in-state tuition, financial aid eligibility, and a path to citizenship for some undocumented youth. Members of Congress have introduced several forms of this bill in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The latest legislative and judicial updates will be presented.

Ms. Luévano will discuss how public and academic libraries can play an integral part in this 21st century human rights movement and resources that may assist in this effort. Audience feedback to explore new possibilities is encouraged. Copies of Dr. Rincón’s book, Undocumented Immigrants and Higher Education: ¡Sí Se Puede! will be available for purchase.

 

Friday, September 16, 2011

Session 2: 2:15 pm – 3:30 pm

 

2.1 Lawrence A

Pura Belpré Awards Showcase: Highlights from Fifteen Years of Award-winning Latino Children’s Literature

Panel: Lucía Martínez González, Pura Belpré author and storyteller, Manager, North Miami Public Library, FL; Dr. Jamie Naidoo, Assistant Professor, University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies; Oralia Garza de Cortés, Latino Children’s Literature Consultant, Austin, TX.

The Pura Belpré Award serves as the professional standard for selecting the best books published on the Latino cultural experience. It guides teachers, librarians, and parents in choosing high quality multicultural literature that matters. It also introduces and exposes children from other cultures to Latino culture through literature that best reflects Latino culture.This program will highlight the award-winning titles of the past fifteen years. Participants will participate in a discussion on issues of cultural perspective and develop ways to use these materials in the classroom and in library programming. The workshop will include storytelling, hands-on projects, and book talking.

 

2.2 Lawrence B

La Pasión de la Colección

Panel: Adrian Barrientos, Librarian, San José Public Library, CA; Lael Takiguchi, Librarian, Alameda County Public Library, CA; Dora Irene Morales, Supervising Librarian, San Rafael Public Library, CA; Maynard Martinez, Librarian, Mountain View Public Library, CA.

A set of rules can help or hinder the expansion of a library's Spanish language collection. Northern California (Bay Area) librarians will share how they take into account their respective community's input to make their libraries' collection more used and more relevant while actively promoting the collection and evaluating their statistical measures and policy development.

 

2.3 Continental A

Leer Juntos Nos Une Más: Establishing a Tradition of Bilingual Family Reading and Discussion

Panel: Erika Halstead, Program Officer, New York Council for the Humanities; Carry Cubillos, Cultural Programming Specialist, Ossining Public Library, NY; Andrea García, Associate Professor of Literacy Studies, Hofstra University, NY.

Many Latino families are limited in their ability to use their native languages to support their children’s reading. “Unidos” helps public libraries confront this issue by giving Latinos an opportunity to read and discuss books in both English and Spanish. “Unidos” sessions are co-facilitated by a librarian and a local humanities scholar, and reinforce the pleasure of reading by using books that address universal themes like courage and freedom. Since all members of the group speak both languages and may read and discuss in either, all voices are valued, transforming public libraries into open and animated spaces for literary conversations.

 

2.4 Continental B

Building Careers in the Digital Age: the Impact of Innovative Programs in LIS Education

Panel: Richard Chabrán, Adjunct Professor; Peter Botticelli, Professor of Practice; Patricia Montiel-Overall, Associate Professor; Sandy Littletree, Program Manager, Knowledge River; all at the School of Information Resources and Library Science, University of Arizona.

This panel will focus on: diversity in the Library and Information Studies (LIS) profession; training LIS professionals to serve Latino and Native American communities; how new digital archival practices are an important component of training LIS professionals to work in diverse communities; and provide examples of exercises which students participate in.

 

2.5 Continental C

Bay Area Style: Programming and Outreach to Latinos

Panel: Janice Garcia, Librarian, Biblioteca Latinoamericana, San José Public Library, CA; Marti Krow-Lucal, Librarian, City of Sunnyvale Library, CA; Kim Nguyen, Branch Manager, Biblioteca Latinoamericana & Hillview Library, San José Public Library, CA; Elizabeth Muñoz-Rosas, Spanish Language Services Librarian, Marin County Free Library, CA.

Librarians from several Bay Area library systems will be sharing their best techniques with planning and procedures for programs and outreach that can be utilized at rural and urban libraries. Attendees will learn about the importance of simpatía, partnerships, marketing, and publicity efforts. Specifically, the role of simpatía in the library will be discussed from the view of cultural competence that can lead to understanding the mental processing and learning styles in the United States and Latino/Hispanic culture.

 

2.6 Blake

Introduction to REFORMA's Online Member Services

Presenter: Juan Carlos Rodríguez, Associate Dean of Technology & Information Services, Grand Valley State University, MI and Chair, REFORMA Information Technology Committee.

In March 2011, REFORMA implemented an Association Management System (AMS) that provides a variety of online member services. This presentation will provide an overview of the following member services: (1) Updating your member profile (i.e. contact information, directory listing, username/password, and demographic information); (2) renewing your membership online; (3) viewing your financial transactions; (4) searching the member directory; and (5) participating in online discussion forums. In addition, an overview of how the AMS can provide REFORMA chapters and committees with member management, recruitment, communication, file management, and “members only” web pages will also be discussed. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions and provide input on future enhancements.

 

2.7 Tabor Auditorium

Why Libraries Matter: Empowering Community Voices

Panel: Molly Raphael, President, American Library Association; Camila Alire, Past-President, American Library Association; Patty Wong, County Librarian/Archivist, Yolo County Library, CA.

Join ALA President Molly Raphael and ALA Past President Camila Alire in their joint presentation on Advocacy. Camila Alire’s Initiative engages frontline staff with library leaders to communicate the value of libraries and library staff. Molly Raphael's Initiative engages communities to talk about libraries of all types and their value. This is the next step to empower community members to take action and use their voices to showcase why libraries matter. Engage your community for maximum impact and sustain effectiveness. Partner with your community to influence perceptions and positions in arousing support for libraries. Initiative Co-Chair, Patty Wong will also contribute her suggestions and insights.

 

Friday, September 16, 2011

Session 3: 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm

 

3.1 Lawrence A

REFORMA and Tomorrow’s Leaders

Panel: Oscar Baeza, Librarian, El Paso Community College, TX; Lucía Martínez González, Manager, North Miami Public Library, FL and 2010-2011 REFORMA President; Luis Chaparro, Librarian, El Paso Community College, TX; Robin Imperial, Branch Manager, Petworth Library, District of Columbia Public Library and REFORMA Treasurer 2007-2011.

This presentation will cover the process and understanding of REFORMA’s executive positions. The workshop will cover such topics as: (1) why Reformistas should run for an executive position, (2) how it benefits the organization, the community, and oneself personally; and (3) a complete understanding of the process and the work each position in the executive committee entails.

 

3.2 Lawrence B

Successful Partnerships to Serve Immigrant Communities Today

Presenter: Loida García-Febo, Coordinator, Special Services, Queens Library, NY.

This presentation will discuss successful partnerships between an urban public library and non-profits to provide services tailored to meet the needs of today's immigrant communities. Best practices, strategies, and lessons learned to provide financial, health, and citizenship services in languages spoken by the largest minority groups will be shared. Highlighted projects include financial literacy sessions in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and English; free mammograms and pap tests with free treatment; and sessions by lawyers and teachers discussing the U.S. Citizenship Exam. At the end of this program, participants will be able to: (1) implement strategies to establish programs tailored to the needs of the immigrants in their communities; (2) identify vendors of materials needed by speakers of the top-immigrant languages in the U.S.; and (3) identify best practices for developing social media resources to reach underserved groups.

 

3.3 Continental A

Emerging Best Practices for Latino/a Recruitment in Academic Librarianship

Panel: Mark A. Puente, Director of Diversity and Leadership Programs, Association of Research Libraries; Sandy Littletree, Program Manager, Knowledge River, University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science; Rae-Anne Montague, Principal Investigator, LIS Access Midwest Program (LAMP), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate School of Library and Information Science; Jeffery Cruz, User Education Librarian, City of Sydney, Australia.

It is projected that Latino/a enrollment in higher education in the United States will increase 40% in the upcoming decade. Given this growth, it is more important than ever that effective recruitment and retention efforts be developed for Latino/as in academic librarianship. Leaders from three library and information science (LIS) minority student initiatives across the United States will review their approaches to recruiting Latino/as augmented by reflections from a recent graduate of two of those programs. The panel will discuss lessons learned; share success stories; and solicit audience feedback to explore new possibilities for enhancing the LIS workforce in higher education.

 

3.4 Continental B

¡Aprendamos en Conjunto! A Template for Student Success with First-Year Experience (FYE) Latino Students and the College Library

Presenter: Mónica López, Librarian/Instructor, Cerritos College Library, CA.

I will share my teaching experience as a community college librarian and instructor in the First Year Experience (FYE) Program at Cerritos College. Over the years, I have observed the majority of participants in the program have been heavily represented by Latino students closely followed by African American and Asian students, and occasional Caucasian student(s). I will share techniques that can be utilized with classroom faculty by integrating information literacy into the curriculum, build student confidence in using the library and its resources, as well as increase interaction with students. I will also briefly discuss the valuable collegiality that occurs among the teaching faculty and instructional librarians. The FYE program fosters student learning and success in the first-year of college that can lead students to success throughout their entire college career.

 

3.5 Continental C

YA-licious Authorship para los Nuestros: A Discussion with Prominent Latino Young Adult authors

Presenters: Francisco Vargas, Youth Services Officer, Long Beach Public Library, CA; Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo, Assistant and EBSCO-Foster Endowed Professor, University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa.

A panel of well-known young adult (YA) Latino authors will be invited (in person and via Skype) to discuss the importance of writing for a YA Latino audience. They will also share any challenges and successes they may have encountered through publishing their work.

 

3.6 Blake

Stretching Your Materials Dollar: Partnering with Spanish Language Materials Vendors

Panel: John Sandstrom, Acquisitions Librarian, New Mexico State University Library; Nerissa Moran, Manager, Spanish Acquisitions, Brodart; Ingrid Paredes, Library Manager, Lectorum.

In these times of providing additional services with ever shrinking resources, using our materials funds effectively and efficiently is more and more important. This panel discussion will provide various vendors an opportunity to share what they bring to the partnership discussion and give attendees the opportunity to share what they need.

 

3.7 Tabor Auditorium

From Seeds to Trees: Growing the Bilingual Librarian of Tomorrow from High School Diploma to MLIS

Panel: Silvia Cisneros, President, REFORMA Orange County; Lupita Vega, Principal Librarian; Cheryl A. Eberly, Project Director, “ Seeds to Trees Program”; Manuel Escamilla, Assistant Librarian; Martha Torres, Library Management Intern; Santiago Avila, Library Clerk; all at the Santa Ana Public Library, CA.

The Santa Ana Public Library has developed a proven method of mentoring and professional guidance that recruits bilingual Spanish-speaking high school students, college age youth, and MLIS students in a combined volunteer and unpaid/paid internship program that provides exposure to the profession, hands-on experience, and mentored training in library specific tasks. The presentation will focus on teaching other library professionals about these methods, and how they can grow their own bilingual librarians. The majority of the presenters are participants of the Library's "Seeds to Trees" program. Participants are at various stages of educational development; high school, community college, college, and MLIS candidates.

 

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Session 4: 9:45 am – 11:00 am

 

4.1 Lawrence A

Rincón de Cuentos: Promoting Literacy, Preserving the Spanish Language and Strengthening Communities

Presenters: Irene Castillo de Romsa, Outreach Services, Poudre River Public Library District, CO; Dr. Maura Velazquez-Castillo, Department of Foreign Languages, Colorado State University.

Through drama, statistics, moving images, and testimonies we present the reality of our community which compelled us to start a volunteer-based multi-generational program that would not only help preserve the Spanish language and promote literacy but would unite the community in preserving and valuing the Latino cultures. The Poudre River Public Library District has positioned itself as an agent of change in the community by intertwining itself in the social fabric and partnering with organizations like Colorado State University, Food Bank, CORE, University of Colorado at Boulder, the Family Center, mobile home parks, and the Latino community.

 

4.2 Lawrence B

Community Learning Plazas: Serving the Latino Community with an Intergenerational Approach to Self-Guided Learning

Presenters: Noel Kalenian, Denver Public Library, CO; Pilar Castro-Reino, Denver Public Library, CO.

Community Learning Plazas (CLPs) are designed to help new English speakers and adult learners practice their skills and work on their personal goals in a supportive public library setting. Latinos form a large part of the CLP community and their needs and concerns both overlap with and diverge from those of other CLP participants. This session will demonstrate CLP approaches to serving Latinos and give attendees the tools to integrate similar concepts into their own library programming.

 

4.3 Continental A

The ALA, GLBT-Round Table Rainbow Projects – Recommended Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Reads for Latino Youth and Adults

Presenters: Arla Jones, Librarian, Lawrence High School, KS; Laurie Spurling, Librarian, Denver Public Library, CO.

Learn more about the American Library Association's Rainbow Project for children and young adults and the Over the Rainbow book selection committee for adult readers. Laurie and Arla will be sharing newly published books that reflect the Latina and Latino gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) experiences from both recommended lists. Participate in a discussion on outreach to the LGBT community and maximizing LGBT collections for all readers.

 

4.4 Continental B

Emerging Models for Sharing Digital Collections: Latino Digital Content

Panel: Richard Chabrán, Adjunct Professor, School of Library Resources and Information Science, University of Arizona; Norma Corral, former Reference Librarian, University of California-Los Angeles; Lillian Castillo-Speed, Head Librarian, Ethnic Studies Library, University of California-Berkeley.

We will explore various models of creating, sharing, packaging, and marketing Latino digital products. During this time of great change and the availability of new technology, several methods of creating databases and other products have emerged. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. We will provide our observations on possible best practices librarians might want to consider when making purchasing decisions. Furthermore, we will discuss options for libraries that may have unique data to share. Which models are most advantageous for library users? Which are sustainable for libraries? Which models best serve the Latino community?

 

4.5 Continental C

Día Showcase: Celebrating 15 Years of Cultural & Reading Literacy

Panel: Pat Mora, Award-winning Latina poet, author, and founder of Día; Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo, Assistant and EBSCO-Foster Endowed Professor, University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa; Beatriz Pascual Wallace, MLIS Children's Librarian, Seattle Public Library, WA; and 15 Poster Presenters.

Fifteen years ago, award-winning Latina author and poet Pat Mora envisioned El Día de los niños/El Día de los libros (Día) as a literacy program that would celebrate cultural diversity and promote Bookjoy among children and their families. The celebration has been adopted by public and school libraries around the nation and each year REFORMA presents the Mora Award for exemplary Día programs. In 2010, Día minigrants were awarded by ALSC to libraries initiating Día programming. This dynamic session includes a guided discussion with Pat Mora about Día celebrations and includes poster presentations by libraries receiving the Mora Award and Día mini-grants.

 

4.6 Blake

What Every Immigrant Needs to Know: a New Publication Providing Essential Information to Spanish Speakers

Presenter: Lee Shainis, Executive Director, Intercambio Uniting Communities, Boulder, CO and author, What Every Immigrant Needs to Know.

In this workshop you will learn how to build confidence and cultural understanding using the immigrant guide What Every Immigrant Needs to Know and the brief "Living in the U.S." workshop. Spanish speakers appreciate learning about U.S. laws, health, finances, cultural norms, and other practical information through their classes and library resources. This workshop will provide you with ideas for teaching and discussing practical issues about living in the United States. Over 14,000 copies of What Every Immigrant Needs to Know are being used in 40 states. For additional information see http://www.livingintheus.org.

 

4.7 Tabor Auditorium

Achieving the Big L: Straight Talk from the Job Searching Trenches

Panel: Sarah Dahlen, Reference and Instruction Librarian, California State University-Monterey Bay; Kristen Cure, Youth and Adult Services Librarian, Pima County Public Library, AZ; Elizabeth Soltero, Outreach Librarian, Pima County Public Library, AZ; Cecilia Tovar-Branch Manager, Yuma County Library District, AZ. Online participants include Lisa Lopez, School Librarian, Zavala Elementary, El Paso Independent School District, TX; Jessica Hernandez, Librarian, FDA Biosciences Library, U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

New library professionals have been particularly affected by the current economic climate. Facing a tough job market, many are unemployed, underemployed, or employed outside the field. A recent issue of Library Journal identified those that have recently secured librarian positions as the "lucky ones." Yet, jobs do not materialize through happenstance; obtaining a permanent, full-time placement takes preparation, resourceful, and perseverance. This program features panelists that have successfully leveraged extended periods of job seeking into fantastic job offers. Current students and recent graduates will receive honest, hard-hitting advice on how to maximize their “in between” time, as well as glean inspiration from peers that have finally landed their first librarian position.

 

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Session 5: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm

 

5.1 Lawrence A

Songs, Games, and Rhymes for the Multicultural Classroom

Presenter: José-Luis Orozco, Bilingual educator, children’s author and artist, Arcoiris Records, Inc.

José-Luis Orozco has built an amazing career based on modeling how to use the rich heritage of music, in English and Spanish, to help children develop and nurture language and literacy skills, while promoting cultural diversity and positive self-esteem. Music presents the ideal learning vehicle for the widest cross section of students. Librarians learn to use music to develop phonemic awareness and vocabulary, which encourage fluency, using Latin American culture, history, and oral traditions. Mr. Orozco demonstrates how the differences and commonalities in music and cultures are expressed and honored, and librarians will practice using these methods and be able to integrate them into their curriculum.

 

5.2 Lawrence B

Yo Soy Colorado: Two Symbiotic Hispanic Cultural Heritage Initiatives

Panel: Dr. Mary M. Somerville, Director, Auraria Library, University of Colorado-Denver, and Co-Director, Center for Colorado & the West at Auraria Library; Dana EchoHawk, King Fellow, Center for Colorado & the West at Auraria Library, University of Colorado-Denver; Dr. Fawn Amber Montoya, Assistant Professor of History, Colorado State University -Pueblo; Rhonda Gonzales, Dean of Library Services, Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Symbiotic curation activities that reflect ‘ethnicity as provenance’ require collaborative, interdependent relationships among archives, community, students, and faculty. Center for Colorado and the West at Auraria Library (University of Colorado-Denver) and Colorado Ethnic Heritage and Diversity Archives (Colorado State University-Pueblo) examples illustrate collection development practices that advance joint ownership of archival materials by the archives and the originating ethnic group. Concluding reflections offer transferable principles for working collaboratively with cultural communities on preservation and interpretation of photographs, videos, documents, and ephemeral material reflective of culture, achievements, conflict, and legacy.

 

5.3 Continental A

Hear a Book, Read a Book! / ¡Oiga un libro, lea un libro!

Panel: Carmen Peña Abrego, Publicity Coordinator, Arte Público Press, University of Houston, TX (moderator); Pam Fochtman, Founder and Director, Lorito Books, Inc.; Lydia Gil, Children's book author and writer, EFE News Service; Lucía Martínez González, Children’s book author, storyteller and Manager, North Miami Public Library, FL.

Presenters will talk about the availability, value, and uses of bilingual audio books. Pam Fochtman, director of Lorito Books, will discuss issues related to the recording of bilingual books, their use in story times and as literacy aids, and how bilingual audio books expand a library’s abilities to reach out to its Spanish-speaking patrons. Bilingual children’s book authors Lydia Gil and Lucía Martínez González will talk about the process of converting their written words to audio books. Gil, also a book reviewer for EFE News Service, will talk about the process of reviewing bilingual audio books, and Lucía Martínez González, also a librarian, will talk about using audio books during story times.

 

5.4 Continental B

Chapter Swap: New Ideas for Invigorating REFORMA Chapters

Panel: Barbara Miller, REFORMA Chapter Representative & Chicana & Chicano Resource Center Librarian, California State University-Fullerton; Tess Tobin, REFORMA Chapter Representative & Associate Professor, New York City College of Technology (CUNY); Francisco Vargas, REFORMA Chapter Representative & Youth Services Officer, Long Beach Public Library, CA; Roberto Delgadillo, At-Large Representative & Humanities and Social Sciences Librarian, University of California-Davis; Lise Tewes, Past President, REFORMA Southeast & Children’s Services Coordinator, Erlanger Branch, Kenton County Public Library, KY.

Come find out what our REFORMA chapters are up to! Share ideas for revitalizing our chapters. Audience-centered discussion will include -- but not limited to -- suggestions for building chapter membership, successful (and unsuccessful) programming and fundraising activities, and establishing new chapters or reinstating inactive chapters and keeping them dynamic. The session will also consider how to encourage communication between chapters and how to strengthen the relationship between chapters and National REFORMA.

 

5.5 Continental C

Fundraising in Latino Communities: Using Our Traditions to Generate Support for Your Library

Presenter: Yolanda J. Cuesta, Lead Consultant, MultiCultural Consulting.

What motivates Latinos to give, help, and support their community? Most fundraising efforts by public libraries are based on the Western traditions of formal giving and volunteering that have shaped philanthropy in the U.S. for decades. Yet, Latinos give in different ways and for different reasons. What are those differences and how can you encourage Latinos to give to your library? To take Latino services to a higher level, we must not only see our communities as receivers of our services but as givers to the community as well.

At the end of this program you will (1) increase your awareness of the phenomenon of sharing and helping in the Latino community; (2) understand how Latinos give and volunteer, in what ways, to whom, for what reasons, and to what degree; and (3) identify fundraising methods that are successful in Latino communities.

 

5.6 Blake

Shipwrecks, Bus Stops, and Chicken: Latino/a Stories of Immigration in Suffolk County, New York

Presenter: Lisa Meléndez, Professor, Library Services, Suffolk County Community College, NY.

This session will highlight first-person accounts gathered for an oral history project with Latino/a immigrants in Suffolk County, NY. Infamous for anti-immigrant sentiment and hostilities in towns that border the college, most notably Farmingville and Patchogue, a diverse group of participants from these neighborhoods were invited to share stories, thoughts and memories of their own choosing to give voice to the personal challenges and everyday ironies Latino/a immigrants continue to face as Long Island residents. In addition to excerpts of the actual accounts, the presentation will include information on projects that springboarded from the process, including a REFORMA mini-grant to publish testimonio excerpts and the poetry and artwork of several interviewees in Hybrido: Revista de Arte y Literatura, as well as art exhibits and readings at local public and academic libraries.

 

5.7 Tabor Auditorium

So you want to become a library director? Sage Advice from Veterano Librarians

Panel: Ron Rodríguez, California State University-Fullerton (moderator); Cesar Caballero, California State University-San Bernardino; John Ayala, Fullerton College (retired), CA; Yolanda Moreno, Orange Public Library, CA; Jacqueline Ayala, San Diego County Public Library, CA.

A panel discussion of existing Latino library directors and administrators will provide advice and counseling on how librarians can prepare and groom themselves to become future library directors and administrators.

 

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Session 6: 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

 

6.1 Lawrence A

Noche de Cuentos: Latino Family Literacy @ Your Library

Presenter: Lucía Martínez González, Children’s book author, storyteller, and Manager, North Miami Public Library, FL.

Come and learn how to start a Noche de Cuentos program in your library. This family literacy program promotes storytelling’s role in the transmission and preservation of cultural heritage while developing the reading/cultural literacy skills of new Latino immigrants. Cuentos are part of the child’s literary heritage. As recently-arrived Latino children embark on the journey of language acquisition and cultural adaptation, they need connecting links between their home and the host cultures of school, library, and community. This initiative can assist libraries in developing outreach strategies to diverse populations; planning cultural programs; and implementing services for Latino and immigrant populations.

 

6.2 Lawrence B

Recent Graduates in LIS Education: How are They Enhancing Services to Latinos and Spanish-speaking Communities?

Panel: Toni Anaya, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Robin Fogle Kurz, PhD Candidate, University of South Carolina; Lori Mestre, Associate Professor, Head, Undergraduate Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Tess Tobin, Associate Professor, New York City College of Technology, CUNY.

This panel will include research from three studies on Library and Information Science (LIS) Education. Mestre will discuss her research pertaining to the state of LIS cultural competency training and recommendations for improving the training. Anaya and Tobin will discuss the preliminary findings from their post-LIS study of Latino graduates and how they are faring in the profession. Kurz will share her preliminary dissertation findings on the collection development practices of recent non-Latino LIS graduates serving Latino youth in public libraries. After the presentations, the panelists will open the forum for questions.

 

6.3 Blake

Speaking from our Corazón: Youth as Advocates for Reading and Reviewing Literature for la Communidad

Presenters: Dr. Miguel López, Assistant Professor, Liberal Studies Department, California State University-Monterey Bay; Sarah Dahlen, Reference and Instruction Librarian, California State University-Monterey Bay.

This presentation addresses the collaboration of Latino teens, Salinas Public Library (SLP) staff, and California State University (CSU)-Monterey Bay faculty to support youth who read and review books that reflect Latino cultural, linguistic, and social identities. The teen reviews, published on SPL’s website, inform acquisition and encourage other teens to read the new selections. The corazón of the project, the youth reviews, is a “voice” of and for the community which encourages greater library use and cultural literacy as well as challenging stereotypes of the Latino community as non-readers. The reviews support writing skills among youth and build library/community trust and engagement.

 

6.4 Tabor Auditorium

Nuestras Raíces: Enriching Lives and Building Community

Panel: Adriana McCleer, Doctoral Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies; Donie Gignac, Branch Manager, Pima County Public Library, AZ; Marissa Alcorta, Branch Manager, Pima County Public Library, AZ; Elizabeth Soltero, Youth Services Librarian, Pima County Public Library, AZ.

Nuestras Raíces empowers library staff and local community to design and plan programming from a multicultural perspective and create meaningful, inter-generational experiences that celebrate Mexican American authors, arts, and culture. This year-long series of programs highlights historic and contemporary Mexican American contributions, showcases local talent, and reflects the rich diversity of our Mexican American community. Discover the program’s framework, the transformative power of community partnerships, and creative solutions to the challenges of institutional change. Gain fresh approaches to discovering community assets and weaving diversity through the fabric of your library system and local community.