The First Joint Conference of Librarians of Color To Address Hispanic/Latino Issues
by María Elena Cruz -- Críticas, 9/15/2006
The first Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC) will take place from October 11 to 15 at Adam’s Mark Hotel in Dallas, TX. It is sponsored by the American Library Association’s (ALA) five ethnic caucuses: the American Indian Library Association (AILA); the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA); the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA); the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Provide Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking. The conference will provide an opportunity for librarians, library supporters, providers of library services to communities of color, and minority community members an opportunity to come together to discuss how libraries can best serve the country’s increasingly diverse communities. Below, see Críticas’s picks of the events.
Thursday, October 12
After 9/11: Latino and Asian Immigrants and the Public Library (10:45 a.m.–noon)
This panel discussion will address some of the key issues and concerns facing Latino and Asian immigrant library users since 9/11. Topics to be discussed include the current nativist climate and immigrant activism, how the issuing of library cards has changed, and updates on REAL ID and similar legislation that requires a national ID card.
WebJunction’s Spanish-Language Outreach Program: Empowering Library Staff to Meet the Information and Technology Needs of Spanish-Speaking Customers (2:45–4 p.m.)
Laura Staley, project coordinator for WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program, will facilitate a discussion between three program representatives on how program participants have improved promotional efforts, given new attention to staffing and staff training, increased usage of public computing resources and programming by Spanish speakers, and forged new and strengthened partnerships with organizations in the Spanish-speaking community.
Friday, October 13
Monstruos, Héroes y Bellas: Latino Kids in Literature (9–10:15 a.m.)
Presentations by authors Diane Gonzales Bertrand and Xavier Garza will inform librarians about new and forthcoming culturally relevant literature for children and young adults.
Celebrating Children’s Books and Cultures (10:45 a.m. –noon)
With a focus on programs celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) throughout the United States, this session will give participants ideas on developing a program in their community. Tips on developing partnerships, writing public service announcements, and working with the media will be addressed.
Hispanic Residents’ Perception of Spanish-Language Material Availability and Their Library Usage in Central Florida (3:45–5 p.m.)
This proposed study aims to investigate the relationship between the Hispanic residents’ perception of the availability of Spanish language materials in their local libraries and their library usage, enabling libraries to improve services for Hispanic patrons.
Hispanic Struggle for Civil Rights in America (poster session) (3:45–5 p.m.)
Presentations by authors José Ángel Gutiérrez and Juan Sepúlveda will expand attendees’ knowledge of the Hispanic struggle for civil rights in America. Through its Hispanic Civil Rights Series, Arte Publico Press documents the many contributions to public policy, education, and community affairs by Hispanic civil rights organizations and their leaders.
Latino Library Leadership for the New Millennia (10:30 a.m. –noon)
A panel of Latino and Latina library directors will share their experiences and advice on how they became library leaders.
Selecting Periodicals for the Spanish-Speaking Community (10:30 a.m.–noon)
Attendees should come away with basic strategies to identify the Spanish-speaking community in their service area, a list of magazines that would interest their customers, and distributors who can provide those titles.
ESL and SSL–English and Spanish as Second Languages Collection Development (2–3:30 p.m.)
This panel focuses on collecting for adult language learners in public, college, and research libraries.
Latino Information Literacy: Models for Success (2–3:30 p.m.)
A panel of university librarians will discuss different thriving initiatives and course instruction, identification of instruction needs and relevant information literacy competencies, and faculty-librarian collaborations that integrate information literacy skills into core classes.
View All Blogs
