Learning from Others: Models of Service & Ideas from the Empire State

A "final" report from the New York State Education Department recounts the success of their partnership with the Gates Foundation and WebJunction. Detailed information about the report can be found from the link below, along with success stories and ideas for reaching out to local Latino communities.

See: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/gateslib/spanish/finalrpt.htm

Outreach: Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead

For the past few years, I have been invited to participate in a local museum's family day that marks the celebration of el Dia de los Muertos. Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd of each year, Dia de los Muertos is a time to celebrate and honor deceased relatives and family friends and a way to pay tribute and commemorate the lives of those that have passed on.

I share this with you since that weekend is fast approaching and I am personally  getting materials ready for  the event. Participating in community events such like this can allow library staff to partner with other local organizations to promote literacy and library resources as well as to reach out to people that may not be aware of all that their local public library has to offer.

Usually I will set up a book display featuring our diverse collection of bilingual and Spanish language materials (Books and instructional materials for all ages, Videos and DVDs, Music CDs, and Magazines) in order to demonstrate and highlight the types of items available at the local library. I create festive and colorful banners and signs to draw attention to my exhibition table and have plenty of applications, brochures, bookmarks, and calendars readily available to handout to the public. And yes, my handouts are in Spanish. 

What is great about going out into the field is being able to bring library resources to others. Being involved in the Day of the Dead event affords me the opportunity to meet new people in our local community, establish more great connections with other social and civic organizations that are participating in the day's events, as well as having the chance to speak with people one-on-one about our library services, programs, and resources for the entire family. 

For the first year that I participated in the museum event I created an altar ("ofrenda") to honor Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. In my library, a colleague and I also created an altar in order to pay tribute to this Mexican tradition. The altar generated much interest and we were able to cross promote programs and library materials.

Why not have someone present a talk about Dia de los Muertos at your library or host a bilingual story time program featuring children's books about Day of the Dead? Several wonderfully written juvenile books are available that highlight the Day of the Dead celebration.

References

Amado, E., & Hairs, J. (1999). Barrilete: A Kite for the Day of the Dead. Berkeley, CA: Publishers Group West.  

Ancona, G. (1993). Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead.  New York, NY: Lothrop, Lee, and Shephard Books. 


Goldsmith, D.H. (1995). Day of the Dead: A Mexican American Celebration. New York, NY: Holiday House Publishers. 

Johnston, T. (1997). Day of the Dead. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace. 


Lasky, K. (1994). Days of the Dead. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. 

Luenn, N. (1998). A Gift for Abuelita: Celebrating the Day of the Dead. Flagstaff, AZ: Rising Moon.

For young adults why not try a craft workshop featuring ideas found in Andrea Zocchi's Day of the Dead Crafts: More than 24 Projects that Celebrate Dia de los Muertos.

Online Resources

http://www.dayofthedead.com/

http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/altar/

http://www.mexico-child-link.org/day-of-the-dead-mexico/day-of-the-dead-mexico.htm

http://www.day-of-the-dead.org/

Programming Ideas: A look back at Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month 2009 was held from September 15-October 15. What kind of programming did your library host as part of this celebration. As part of my continuing services to reach out to Latinos and create a welcoming library, I set up a thematic book display featuring books about Latin America, biographies of famous Hispanics, and showcase our diverse collection of Spanish language materials. I have created simple Spanish language  bookmarks and bibliographies. 

Depending on the types of items available at your library perhaps you can plan on creating a display of children's books written by famous Latinos and Latinas. Or, if you have several bilingual books, why not work on implementing a bilingual storytime? 

The Smithsonian Education web site provides a wealth of links that serve to inform, educate, and promote Hispanic culture. Learn more about music, art, and famous Latinos. Many  of the featured links are interactive and provide lesson plans and enrichment activities. 

...Looking ahead at an upcoming holiday...

Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead

Is your library planning any events as part of Dia de los Muertos? The Day of the Dead celebratory activities occur on November 1st and 2nd. The festivities serve to honor and pay respect to departed family and friends.