Name: Beatriz Sarmiento

Title: 2024/25 President for L.A. Chapter.

Library: Former Library Director for City of Commerce Public Library

What is your primary library service role?

Currently, I am doing consultant work for the California State Library.

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?

In my consultant role, I am working with literacy programs for adults including ESL learners.

What is your favorite aspect about your work?

My favorite part of all of my work is the people and how they benefit from library services in their personal and professional lives.

What advice do you have for other librarians and present/future MLIS students?

Hold your head up high.The work of librarians is so vast and so important to our communities. It may not feel like it sometimes, but don’t underestimate the impact made by your work. That goes for academic libraries, public libraries, law libraries and school libraries etc.

What programs have you been in charge of or involved with?

Early in my library career, I was involved with literacy programs for adults and children, scholarship programs and ESL classes for adults. As director, I oversaw the many community programs the library headed. I am currently involved with a couple of committees for Reforma LA including the Mentoring Program and RNC VIII.

What personal interests or hobbies do you have that you would like to share?

I love to travel near and far. I play golf, book clubs and do a little karaoke. :).