Faviola Velasco, Community Outreach Assistant at Glendale Library, Arts & Culture
Active Years in the Los Angeles Chapter: 3
Past Executive or Committee Roles: Mentee in the Mentorship Program, committee member in the Los Angeles Archives/History Committee, and most recently a committee member in the Public Relations & Marketing Committee.
What is your primary library service role?
My primary library service role is Community Outreach. I support the great work of my colleagues at Glendale Library, Arts & Culture as a key member of the Marketing and Communication team.
How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?
My role is to communicate the range of programs and services offered by Glendale Library, Arts & Culture to our patrons through a variety of communication channels in a clear, informative, and engaging manner. The goal is to effectively reach and serve diverse audiences throughout the city and neighboring communities. I place particular emphasis on developing bilingual marketing campaigns to ensure Spanish-speaking residents feel welcomed, included, and encouraged to explore the library’s resources and events.
“I place particular emphasis on developing bilingual marketing campaigns”
What is your favorite aspect about your work?
The most rewarding aspect of my work is receiving feedback from our library patrons. I value ensuring that the programs and communications we provide genuinely resonate with our community and effectively meet their needs. Our patrons are at the heart of everything we do, and their engagement and input guide our efforts. Being able to serve our community in a meaningful and responsive way is both motivating and fulfilling.
“The most rewarding aspect of my work is receiving feedback from our library patrons”
What advice do you have for other librarians and present/future MLIS students?
A general tip or advice that I like to give to librarians and MLIS students is to continue to learn and stay curious. There’s always something new to learn and to incorporate into libraries, but above all, remember that the role of a librarian is to serve the people.
What programs have you been in charge of or involved with?
I have been involved in various library program committees for the Be the Change series at Glendale Library, Arts & Culture. I especially enjoy celebrating the Día de los Muertos event where I can celebrate my Mexican heritage with colleagues and families in Glendale. I have also led the marketing and communications for the City of Glendale’s Poet Laureate program, where I am able to enjoy the creative writing process of many local writers, and where I get the chance to hear amazing poems recited from poets across the state. I also get the opportunity to assist the Poet Laureate plan his/her workshops, promote the poetry submission/workshops, and create a custom poetry anthology that we publish as part of the program.
What personal interests or hobbies do you have that you would like to share?
My interests in history and photography naturally draw me to archival work, particularly photographic collections. I am especially passionate about collaborating with nonprofit organizations such as La Historia Historical Society Museum in El Monte. This community-based archive is dedicated to preserving and safeguarding Mexican American historical records and maintains a significant and meaningful photographic collection that documents the community’s rich heritage.
What innovations would you like to see happen in services to Latine students and/or in academic/public libraries?
As a soon-to-be Latina librarian, I would love to see more marketing and outreach campaigns in both English and Spanish that truly meet the needs of various Latino(e) people in Los Angeles. I think in most library systems servicing the area, a lot of campaigns really miss the mark on the diversity of the Latine communities and primarily only focus on the literacy needs of the people, but I would love to offer more events and programs for Latinos(e).
“I would love to see more marketing and outreach campaigns in both English and Spanish that truly meet the needs of various Latino(e) people in Los Angeles”