Library Embajadors (Ambassadors)

Getting the word out on the street...

I am sure that many of my "Bien" readers have experiences with working with volunteers and library advocates. Those dedicated individuals that work tirelessly promoting and marketing library services by word of mouth. Our library lovers unite to boldly declare their love of our institutions by serving on the library board, becoming involved with grassroots campaigns to support and/or finance building projects, attend legislation days, and advocate, advocate, advocate. Some of these people are "the" movers and shakers in a tight knit community and their connections can can be invaluable.  

An ambassador/embajador initiative is a means by which a rural public library may begin to recruit members from the local Latino community. Having that one spokesperson that can go into the community and market library services can prove beneficial in establishing community partnerships with church organizations, social groups, and related agencies. Implementing an ambassador program can also allow the library to have volunteers to serve on informal focus panels that can assist in addressing what services are needed.  Ambassadors can promote library services to other Spanish speakers in the local area as well as assist with programming activities. 

A profile of a "Library Ambassador" was highlighted in a March 15, 2006 Library Journal article. 

As a CUNY Queens College Library Ambassador, I worked one-on-one with potential freshmen. I had the opportunity to meet new people and discuss my personal experiences as a student of the four year college. It was an enriching and effective way of meeting people, creating connections, and taking part in building a community, in that instance, the college community. For me, the experience was rewarding as I had the opportunity to talk about what I enjoyed about the college and I was able to provide recommendations based on my experiences. 

What better spokesperson than someone that knows your library, knows the materials and resources available, and wants to assume an integral role in building a real community? 

References:
Staff. (2006, March 15). Ambassador for libraries. Library Journal, 131(5), 30. 

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. 

Calendar of Events

Listed below are a few Latino holidays and a list of programming ideas that may be tied in to the festivities:

January 6
El Dia de los Tres Reyes/Three Kings Day, Epiphany
-Showcase books that discuss religious holidays around the world.
-Create a  display featuring books about Hispanic and Latin cultures.
-Sample traditional foods.

April 30
El Dia de los Ninos/El Dia de Los Libros
Children's Day/Book Day
-Host a bilingual story time.
-Have a craft activity.
-Utilize songs and fingerplays as part of the multicultural story time.
-Plan and implement games and storytelling involving local Latino families.

May 5
Cinco de Mayo
-Display books about Mexico and famous Mexican artists and historical figures.
-Feature Latino dancers.

September 15 - October 15
Hispanic Heritage Month
-Create a  display featuring biographies of famous Latinos, Latin American travel books and history books.
-Hold a foreign film festival throughout the month.
-Host a multicultural food night showcasing foods from different regions of Latin America.

November 1-3
El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
-Create an altar honoring a famous deceased Latino artist.
-Have different community organizations create their own altars and showcase in the library (as space allows).
-Host a scavenger hunt.
-Host a food tasting of traditional Mexican food.

References:
Menard, V. (2000). The Latino holiday book: from cinco de Mayo to dia de los muertos-the celebrations and traditions of Hispanic-Americans. Emeryville, CA: Publishers Group West.



Online:

Florida Department of Education, http://www.fldoe.org/JustForTeachers/hhmholidays.asp.

Remember to promote activities for the entire family!

Introduction

Welcome! Bienvenido!

Thank you for joining me on this interesting and exciting journey through the world of blogging.

I hope to create a spot where people can read, post, and share ideas about services to Spanish speakers in rural public libraries. My intention is to create a welcoming spot where we can share discourse about types of programs, services, and resources that can be offered to our Spanish speaking patrons.

While most of my experiences are culled from working in a "suburban" library branch that serves a local community of about 14,000 or so, I look forward to learning more from others. Perhaps programs carried out in larger urban libraries can be tailored to a rural library service model? What are many of our rural public libraries doing to reach out to and embrace all of the citizens?