Laura Ishizaka
Community Services Senior Librarian
Long Beach Public Library
Primary Service Roles: As the Senior Librarian in Community Services I lead the team that coordinates the Center for Adaptive Technology, Veterans Resources, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Career Online High School, social services and resources in the library, community outreach and partnerships, and marketing.
How does your work align with service to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking communities?: The City of Long Beach is approximately 43% Latinx so a large portion of the community that we serve on a daily basis may come to us needing services and information in Spanish, or may be looking for resources tailored to Latinx community needs. My work in Community Services has also given me an opportunity to engage with local organizations that work directly with, or for the Spanish speaking community in areas ranging from arts and culture to citizenship and immigration services.
Favorite aspect of your work?: My favorite thing about my work is that I have so many opportunities to make a difference. I learn something new every day about the community I serve, and how social services work or have gaps and how libraries can help bridge those gaps. Whether it's being available to answer a reference question in Spanish, helping a patron use large print features on computers in the Center for Adaptive Technology, or pulling resources together to host workshops for the community, every interaction is an opportunity to make a difference for someone.
Words of advice to other librarians and present and future MSLIS students: My advice is...stay curious. Our field is constantly changing and evolving and we need to change and evolve with it. As librarians we need to understand the world around us because it is the world and community we are serving, so we need to keep the flame of curiosity alive within ourselves to make sure we are always wondering how and why or why not.
Programs that I've done: Some of my favorite programs I've done throughout my career include Feel the Churn! Butter Aerobics at the LA County Library as a Teen Librarian, Balance and Mobility classes for seniors at the Palos Verdes Library District as an Adult Librarian, and citizenship workshops at the Long Beach Public Library.
Personal interests or hobbies you'd like to share: I love to draw and paint and finally I worked up the courage to submit some pieces to the Palos Verdes Library District Annual Community Art Show in 2021. Seeing my art on the walls as part of a larger art show was amazing!