As an organization whose purpose is to promote library and information services to Latinos and Spanish-speaking patrons, it is our honor to recognize the efforts of library workers and students across California doing just that. We hope to inspire others with new ways of engaging staff and patrons by highlighting these successful program ideas.
This month, we spotlight Sarah Wilson and Rosa Hughes de la Rosa from the REFORMA SJSU iSchool Student and Alumni Group on… Mini Cafecitos!
Program Type: Bilingual conversation group
Ideal Age Group: Teens, Adults
Frequency: Monthly or bi-monthly
Length of Time: 30 minutes
Supplies (for virtual events):
Computer
Zoom account
Additional staff or member from your team
Exit survey for participants
Discussion focus (e.g., working in the library and related vocabulary, etc.)
One of the most common questions asked about REFORMA is “Do I have to identify as Latinx or speak Spanish to join?” Not. At. All! Simply working with (or having a desire to work with!) this population is enough, which includes 40+ million people across the United States. That’s why when we think of innovative library programming, Mini Cafecitos immediately come to mind! This program–created by a graduate student–connects students and faculty from different departments around one common goal: to practice speaking Spanish.
Sarah Wilson, MLIS ‘22, recognized there was a need for students to feel confident speaking Spanish in their library careers. As a REFORMA student group executive board member, she had a unique position to serve the members of the SJSU community and share her interests in the language. Sarah worked with her Spanish 132 professor, Aurelio Días Ferreira, and her executive board committee, including Rosa, to offer informal Spanish conversation Zoom meetings called Mini Cafecitos.
The benefits to the SJSU student body were immense! The REFORMA student group fulfilled their mission of offering professional development and networking opportunities while supporting culturally competent professionals. For participating students, they were able to role-play typical library settings, build confidence, learn from their peers about the nuances of Spanish, and (for those enrolled in Aurelio’s class) earn a little extra credit.
Ready to plan this program in your own academic library, internally at work, or even as a chapter-sponsored event? Then heed Sarah and Rosa’s advice for preparation, execution, and patience:
Make sure you identify and articulate the need in your community, which will guide you in the planning process.
Share the work of hosting, answering the chat, and monitoring the wait room with another co-worker or board member.
Don’t be discouraged if your group starts out small because as awareness builds so will your participation!
Photo courtesy of the REFORMA San José State University Student & Alumni Group
Be sure to check out Sarah’s bilingual interview with Aurelio, which talks more about Mini Cafecitos here: https://ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu/reforma/?p=1225
Thank you, Sarah, Rosa, and Aurelio, for championing this innovative program! For questions and comments about this program, please connect with Sarah Wilson at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkirbywilson/.
If you would like to nominate a library’s recent program or service for this blog series, please reach out to Erin Castillo at Erin.Castillo@SJSU.edu.