Name: Zoraida Martinez

Title: Librarian, Children's Services, Santa Clarita Public Library

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?: I work in a community where Latino and Spanish speaking are the primary communities being served. Part of my job is to outreach to the communities and create programs that can be beneficial to them. Some events and programs have already been established while I am also creating programs that can bring in more people and let them know that we are here to serve them.

Gratifying aspects of your work: Working with kids and families and being able to speak Spanish with them. The relief on people's faces when they realize that they can connect with someone who can understand them.

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students: Do not ever give up on your goals. If your goals change, make adjustments in your life to follow those goals and do things for you. You cannot make others happy if you are not happy.

Previous programs that I have done: Ayuda con Tareas, helping parents learn to navigate technology to better help their students. STEAM activities for kids, showing kids to play with robots and use code. Looking forward to our version of Noche de Cuentos this Fall!

Zoraida was also awarded one of the 2020 Noche de Cuentos Mini-Grants on behalf of the Santa Clarita Public Library.