Introducing the REFORMA Webinar Series!

The REFORMA Webinar Series is composed of 30-minute scripted training sessions for information professionals in which protocols, best practices, and introductory objectives are negotiated and discussed. The webinars aim to teach both REFORMA members and librarians in general new skills and uncover best practices. They are designed to present an opportunity for the LA chapter to highlight the myriad areas of expertise that our members and allies represent.

Facilitators tailor webinars to suit their needs, and are encouraged to present their topic creatively but cogently so that it might provide guidance.

The webinars are free for REFORMA members and $15 for non-members. They aim to expand your repertoire, feed your head, and show you the cheat codes on how to effectively program, implement, and engage Latino communities in the U.S.

To learn more about the webinars, or to register for upcoming ones, please visit http://reformala.org/webinars

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Dora Ho

Name: Dora Ho

Title: Young Adult Librarian/Program Specialist, Youth Services, Los Angeles Public Library

Primary service roles: I am the Young Adult Librarian/Program Specialist in Youth Services of the Los Angeles Public Library. My role is quite unique because I focus on system-wide programs that serve youth. I oversee the Student Zones (after-school homework centers), Student Smart Program (college preparation), program boxes (literally a program in a box that include instructions on how to implement the program, supplies, and resources/bibliography), and I also assist on many Youth Services initiatives.

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?: The Student Zones (after-school homework centers) serve students from ages 5 to 18 and many of the locations are in dominant Spanish-speaking neighborhoods.

Gratifying aspects of your work: My work involves working with all levels of librarians (branch managers, young adult librarians, children’s librarians), outside vendors, as well as other community partners. Training others is a major part of my job as well. I love to empower our Student Zones Helpers in assisting our youth with their homework assignments and provide librarians with the right resources and tools to perform their daily duty.

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students: For librarians, it is very important to build a network of support. Whether you are the one being mentored or mentoring someone, mentoring is needed at any stage of our career. Please try to find someone to mentor or get someone to mentor you! You will find the experience valuable and rewarding.

Previous programs that I have done: In my early career as the Young Adult Librarian at a local branch, I created many programs for my Teen Council/Teen Advisory Board. We had games such as Jeopardy, trivia baseball, cupcake decorating, soap making, T-shirt decorating, and making sock puppets and friendship bracelets. I have also presented programs on multicultural programming such as a K-Pop program. At many conferences, I’ve spoken on the topics of leadership development and how to get involved in ALA governance.

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Diane Olivo-Posner

Name: Diane Olivo-Posner

Title: Principal Librarian/Associate Director | Exploration and Creativity Department, Los Angeles Public Library

MLIS Program: San José State University School of Information

Primary service roles: In my role as Principal Librarian for the Exploration and Creativity Department, I oversee and work with the other librarians in my department to coordinate the Los Angeles Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge, which includes Summer Lunch, Dodgers Foundation Partnership, and Your Author Series; LAPL’s STEAM Initiative, which includes various STEAM programs as well as DTLA Mini Maker Faire and Citizen Science (Neighborhood Science); Explore LA, the partnership between Los Angeles Public Library and local cultural institutions; and LA Made, a cultural series featuring free music, dance, theater, and conversations with local entertainers at libraries throughout the City.

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?: I am constantly advocating to make sure Latinas/os/xs are represented in all the programming my department is responsible for through Spanish materials, photos, social media, presenters, and resources. I strive to make sure the programs and materials are welcoming and inclusive to the patrons of Los Angeles. During my time as a Children’s Librarian, I conducted bilingual storytimes and did bilingual outreach for Children’s Services. I also feel I was a welcoming face to patrons coming to the reference desk, and my ability to speak Spanish was definitely an added bonus. My goal in the future is to continue expanding out STEAM services in Spanish and to offer more programs that will connect with the Latino community.

Gratifying aspects of your work: I work with a great team that makes all these programs and initiatives happen in our 73 locations. I am proud to say I have a diverse department that represents the many communities of Los Angeles, as well as who I am. I am able to be a part of innovative programs that connect the public with the library's new resources and programs, as well as develop partnerships with Los Angeles organizations and groups. Also important to note: I started my career working for Time magazine as a reporter then realized the library world was my true calling and worked as a Library Assistant for USC Law Library. I had an internship at South Pasadena Public Library, where I was lucky enough to work with the Children's Librarian Maida Wong. After receiving my Masters from San Jose State I started working at Children's Literature for LAPL, and I also worked as a Branch Manager for Long Beach Public Library and substitute librarian for Cal State Long Beach. All these experiences truly made me fall more in love with being a librarian. Now. even though I predominately work in a coordinating office, I love still being able to visit and help branches whenever they need it, and I advocate my staff to do that as well. Being a frontline librarian for so many years is something that helps me understand the challenges faced day to day.

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students: Find your role models, people you can trust with professional and personal matters, and then give back. I encourage students to surround themselves with people from diverse professions and backgrounds because we can all learn from each other and this is how new ideas and partnerships are formed. Creating your professional family and honoring your own family is what makes a person strong. As I was brought up to say, "Here is to Familia." Always look at the whole picture and be true to yourself and your beliefs. Remembering that when you fail, you need to own it and learn from it and get back to making a difference. Challenge the imposter syndrome. Do not let anyone short-change who you are. Be prepared to advocate for yourself and the community. And always, always keep a sense of humor.

Previous programs that I have done: As mentioned above, I have conducted bilingual storytimes, children’s programming, Learn and Play for children and their families, and trained the volunteers for the STAR Volunteer program, which brings adults to read to children at the library. Being a Puppeteer Master while working in Children’s Literature at Central Library in Downtown still brings a smile to my face. Paco and the Witch was one of my favorite puppet shows to help perform. Most recently, helping to coordinate our DTLA Mini Maker Faire, where over 8,000 attended, strengthens my belief that Librarians and Libraries are all Most Excellent!!

Congratulations Scholarship Awardees!

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Dinorah Pinelo

Name: Dinorah Pinelo

Title: Catalog Manager, Los Angeles Public Library 

MLIS program: San José State University School of Information

Primary service roles: In my role as Catalog Manager, I am part of a team of librarians and support staff in charge of the providing and maintaining bibliographic access to the library’s collection, which contains over 6.5 million items and includes materials actively collected in over 30 languages. I also serve on the LAPL Spanish Translation Team, which provides Spanish language translations for library programs, LAPL website pages, and promotional materials.

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?: The Los Angeles Public Library has a collection of over 350,000 items in Spanish and my department is responsible for creating catalog records (many original) in Spanish to make those items easily findable for library patrons. 

Gratifying aspects of your work: It is wonderful to be a part of making our large collection of Spanish language materials for children, young adults, and adults easily findable for patrons through Spanish catalog records and working with enthusiastic, dedicated, and creative colleges who are also passionate about serving the Spanish-speaking community. 

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students: I’ve found that once you identify a need that is not being meet, it gets easier to generate ideas and unite with others around how to meet those needs and transform communities.

Previous programs that I have done: I’ve had the great pleasure of contributing to bilingual storytimes; bilingual STEAM programs; book selections at international Spanish-language book fairs including FIL Guadalajara, LIBER Barcelona, and FIL Buenos Aires as part of LAPL's Sister Libraries relationship; mentor for LAPL’s Diversity and Inclusion Apprenticeship program; Los Angeles Mexican Consulate Juana Inés de la Cruz salon de lectura renovation/weeding project; blogs and twitter promotion in Spanish of Spanish language library resources; and book list contributor REFORMA newsletter. 

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Lupita Pérez Leyva

Name: Lupita Pérez Leyva

Title: Senior Librarian, Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library (LAPL)

MLIS program: UCLA's Master of Library & Information Science Program

Primary service roles: I am the branch manager, and I am in charge of programming and collection development for adults in both English and Spanish. However, when I have a vacancy, I also fill in as either a Young Adult or Children's librarian. 

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?: Our branch is located in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Boyle Heights used to be a very multicultural neighborhood at the beginning of the 20th century, but it is now over 94% Latinx. Our community spans the entire linguistic spectrum from Spanish monolingual (high percentage) to Spanish-preferent to bilingual to English-preferent to English monolingual, but it skews toward the Spanish speaking. I am blessed to use both languages every single day at my branch, and I work with many community non-profits to provide Spanish-language programming for our community. Our branch collection is over 40% Spanish, so I do lots of collection development in Spanish. And lots and lots of outreach in Spanish! I've also been on live TV (Univisión, Telemundo, and Channel 22) talking about the Los Angeles Public Library and promoting library services in general (one time I wore a Lorax mustache on live TV, and another time I wore a Dr. Seuss hat on live TV), and I've been interviewed for Spanish-language radio and La Opinión (LA's legendary Spanish-language newspaper). Also, I'm very pleased to be one of the members of the Los Angeles Public Library's Spanish Translation Team. Not only does our team strive to provide linguistically correct and culturally relevant translations for the entire LAPL system, but we also advocate for providing services, programming and outreach in Spanish throughout the LAPL system.  

Gratifying aspects of your work: Ayudar a mi gente a que aprovechen de tantos servicios que ofrecemos que les pueden beneficiar. Proveer servicios bibliotecarios a mi comunidad en su idioma. Uno de mis servicios favoritos son las clases de ciudadanía en español (para personas que califican para tomar el examen de naturalización en español). Tengo fotos de varias personas que se han hecho ciudadanos gracias a los servicios de nuestra biblioteca para inspirar a otras personas de la comunidad para que también se hagan ciudadanos. Es algo muy significativo para mí, pues mis papás también se hicieron ciudadanos cuando vivían en Boyle Heights gracias a la ayuda que recibieron de las organizaciones comunitarias.   

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students: Follow your passion. Find the place where work doesn't feel like work, but like a calling, because when those tough times/people happen (and they will), you will know your purpose, and you won't be derailed. 

Previous programs that I have done: I do a lot of programs with the help of community organizations. In the past, I've had citizenship classes (presented by Catholic Charities, CARECEN), renters' rights workshops (presented by LA Center for Law and Justice), nutrition classes (presented by Esperanza Community Housing), movie nights, mental health workshops (provided by the LA County Department of Mental Health), the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic (provides free eye exams and glasses), staged play readings (presented by Center Theatre Group), and many, many more that I can't remember. But, I always try to provide programming in both languages. For example, the play readings are in both, but they alternate each month.  

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Sabrina Ponce

Name: Sabrina Ponce

Title: Part-time Librarian (Redondo Beach Public Library) & Page Shelver (Peninsula Center Library)

MLIS program: University of California Los Angeles

Primary service roles: I received my MLIS in June and am just starting to become an active member with REFORMA LA by joining the Spanish Language Book Fair planning committee.  

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?: I interned with the Young Readers Department at Peninsula Center Library from April-June of this year and as part of my internship I planned and performed a storytime. Many caregivers who take children to storytimes at Peninsula Center are primarily Spanish-speaking and are teaching the children Spanish, so I made my storytime bilingual. I also initiated a passive program for staff in which participating staff members wear buttons to indicate other languages they can speak. I was inspired to do this because I noticed that patrons whom I knew spoke Spanish struggled to ask for assistance in English because they didn't know that someone was available to help them in Spanish.   

Gratifying aspects of your work: Some of the patrons who attended my storytime at Peninsula Center have shared with me that they enjoyed it and that they hope the library will continue to incorporate Spanish songs in their storytimes. It's gratifying to know that several patrons not only benefited from a library program, but also feel comfortable enough to voice their needs in their primary language. I will continue to work to create this positive environment for patrons at both Peninsula Center Library and Redondo Beach Public Library.    

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students: Being a recent MLIS student myself, I urge current and future students to get involved with professional organizations as early as they can. Also, apply for the jobs you want as much and as early as you can - the hiring process may take longer than you think and you may actually be qualified for a position you feel you don't have enough experience for. It's never a bad thing to put yourself out there! 

Previous programs that I have done: Senior Social Hour, bilingual storytime. 

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Edwin Rodarte

Name: Edwin Rodarte

Title:  Senior Librarian, Emerging Technologies & Collections

MLIS program: San Jose State University

Primary service roles: I am the current Reforma Los Angeles Chapter president as well as the Technology Chair for National Reforma. Overall, my role is to support the local chapter in leading Reforma's efforts to engage our community, diversify our library profession, and create opportunities for networking/support among current librarians.

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?: Part of my job requires piloting new projects and technologies at libraries. As such, I ensure that all documentation and marketing for the use of the devices/programs are bilingual and can reach a new audience. I also serve in our library's Spanish Language Committee which is in charge of translating all web content, flyers, and other Spanish Language communication in our library system in order to standardize and market under one message. Lastly, I participate in CLA's Latino Services Interest Group as a co-chair to bring programming to help librarians serve their Latino and Spanish-speaking populations. 

Gratifying aspects of your work: Working with colleagues that are passionate about services to Latinos and ensuring that our communication efforts are bilingual. Leveraging partnerships and projects to ensure that services or technology is available to communities that may not otherwise have access to them.

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students: Don't be afraid to take risks - you have to be willing to try new things, disrupt and innovate. Librarianship is a moldable career and you can make of it what you want, immerse your energy and passion into what you already love doing, and chances are you will end with a job you love. 

Previous programs that I have done: Hotspot lending program, veteran stand down (fairs), Spanish language computer classes, children's citizenship ceremonies, and immigrant integration efforts.

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Ziba Perez Zehdar

Name: Ziba Perez Zehdar

Title:  Young Adult Librarian

MLIS program: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Primary service roles: I serve the Reforma LA chapter by snapping pictures and posting to the Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter of our #REFORMALA meet-ups, meetings, & socials.

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?: I'm a bilingual YA Librarian for the Baldwin Hills Branch and I serve the Spanish-speaking community by making space for bilingual zines and bilingual zine workshops as well as events such as Lotería night and presentations for Latino Heritage month by Professor Gloria Arjona.

Gratifying aspects of your work: Speaking with families and providing volunteer opportunities to teens that need work experience.

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students: Keep it up, never give up, never lose sight of why you do your work, the patrons in the community you serve!

Previous programs that I have done: Learn to DJ with #DJZibaZ! Sewing Rebellion workshops, learn to sew at the library! #ArtBlockZine workshop hosted by #DSTLArts for bilingual teen zine making to add to the #LAPLZineLibrary! 

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Concepcion Flores (aka Connie)

Name: Concepcion Flores (aka Connie)
Title: Children's Librarian
MLIS program: SJSU
Primary service roles: children's services which include(story time, outreach, programming), weeding, purchasing materials for children, scheduling library class visits, etc.

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?
I work in a city that is mostly Spanish speaking and I am assigned to purchase Spanish children's materials, story time, outreach, etc. Although I am mainly a children's librarian and deal more with children, I am always helping Spanish adult speakers to get information from getting directions, contacting a company or getting facts. 

Gratifying aspects of your work:
I love it when children tell me that they miss me when they don't see me (when they don't see me for storytime). Let's me know I am making a difference. It's also great to get little notes from them that say they love the library. It's also fun for me to be silly and be one of the kids.

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students:
For those who are librarians, thanks for sharing ideas! It's always great to hear and see what other libraries do. For those who are ready to jump in the field, don't be afraid to ask questions. We learn to know what to do. For those who are still in school, look for ways to volunteer or start a part time job. You learn more when you do the work rather than write about it.

I am currently working on Batman Day for tomorrow. It will be for ages 5-10. A craft and activities will be the in effect.  Am also working on Stranger Things Party -coming in Dec. 2016.

Previous programs that I have done: 
(At Santa Monica) STEAM story time for preschoolers and their parent/caretaker, kids crafts, bilingual storytime, kids gardening, kids yoga.

I started my librarian skills at Whittier Public Library with the Children's Department back in 2007. But started working in 2001, as a page.