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.

REFORMA LA Member Spotlight: Dr. Romelia Salinas

Name: Dr. Romelia Salinas
Title: Associate Dean, Library & Learning Resources, Mt. San Antonio College
MLIS and PhD program: UCLA

Primary service roles:

I recently became the Associate Dean of Library and Learning Resources at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt SAC). In this position I oversee the College Library, tutoring services, the computer learning lab and the Online Learning Support Center which supports the integration of technology into teaching. Prior to coming to Mt. SAC I had been a librarian at California State University, Los Angeles for 18 years. During that time there I served as a reference and instruction librarian for various academic departments and campus centers/programs. I also served as Head of Access services for five years overseeing the Circulation, Reserves, Inter-Library Loan and Stacks. During my last three years I was the Reference Services Coordinator. A highlight of my work there was the establishment of the East Los Angeles Archive dedicated to preserving the social and political history of that community.

How does your work align with service to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities?

My service to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking communities is reflected in my reference and instruction work, my collection development activities and my campus involvement. Cal State LA and Mt. SAC are campuses with a predominantly Latino student body, so I interact and assist this population on a daily basis. At Cal State LA I served as the Latin American Studies and Chicano/a Studies Librarian. I worked closely with faculty in these disciplines and often was invited to provide library instruction introducing students to library resources useful for researching these academic areas. I would also meet individually with students from any department who were researching Latino communities and direct them to relevant sources to consult. Through this work I was supporting the research of these communities as well as success of our students.

I believe that information institutions, such as libraries, are transformative spaces where students can learn about themselves through alternative perspectives and in turn empower themselves.  In this spirit I have dedicated my work to building collections and information services that reflect the diversity of our student body and our local community.  Poet Adrienne Rich wrote, “When someone with the authority of a teacher describes the world and you are not in it, there is a moment of psychic disequilibrium, as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing.” Her words speak to the importance of students seeing themselves in our libraries. It is through establishing collections that document and include the voices of marginalized communities that academic libraries can support the success and well-being of our students. To this end I have worked to ensure that print and digital information about underrepresented communities, like Latinos, is available and accessible in our library. This included establishing the East Los Angeles Archive at Cal State LA as well as my work as a founding member of the Latino Digital Archive Group, a group that seeks to establish a national forum to explore the establishment of a Latino digital archive that would have as its goal the digital preservation of all aspects of U.S. Latino history.

In addition to working with students directly and building relevant collections, I also serve the Latino community through my campus outreach. Over the years I have worked with outreach and retention programs such as the Educational Opportunity Program, the Go East LA initiative, the Dreamer Center, and the Parents Academy which primarily works with Spanish-speaking parents of incoming students.

Gratifying aspects of your work:

The most gratifying aspect of my work is having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students. Whether it is providing students access to information they needed to complete their MA thesis or teaching them how to email their professors.

Some words of advice to other librarians and/or present and future MLIS students:

I would encourage future librarians to be resourceful and persistent in their work. When encountering obstacles in moving your ideas forward, always look for other avenues. Be creative in your services and don’t limit yourself to the confines of what and how your library has done things in the past. Small actions can lead to big changes.

REFORMA LA Awards Luncheon Recap

REFORMA LA would like to extend our gratitude to our wonderful generous supporters whose participation made possible a fantastic Awards Luncheon celebration on June 5, 2016 from 1-3 p.m. at the East Los Angeles Public Library.

New Mexico State Library Commissioner and former Executive Director American Library Association Elizabeth Martinez, gave an inspiring keynote address to our 2016 Elizabeth Martinez and Dr. Karin Duran scholarship winners and Luncheon attendees. Our Chapter was delighted to award our 2016 scholarship winners Anita-Marie E. Martinez, Janet Garcia, and Jimmy Zavala each with $1000 dollars and a certificate of recognition.

Día de los Niños Mini-Grant winner, Dr. Romelia Salinas gave us a recap of her Dia community program held at California State University, Los Angeles on April 29, which was inspired by this year’s Newbery Medal winning book Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, with illustrations by Christian Robinson.

We also congratulated Anna U’Ren, our  ALA Student Travel Grant awardee, as well as our past REFORMA LA Chapter secretary and in-coming Public Information Officer, Juan Guillermo Garcia who was awarded the prestigious Spectrum Scholarship Award for 2016-2017. Our graduating MLIS students included Sylvia Aguiñaga, whose organization DIY Girls empowers girls by teaching coding and applying science, tech, engineering, and math (STEM) skills in creative ways is making big waves in library innovation.

Oralia Garza de Cortes, co-founder of the Pura Belpre Award, also spoke about the outreach advocacy work she is doing with REFORMA’s Children in Crisis Project. She encourage us all to get involved in the project, and described how La Librería, a bookstore in Los Angeles that specializes in Spanish language children’s books, recently held a storytime fundraiser to benefit the Children in Crisis Project.

Sonia Bautista also shared about the library outreach project she is coordinating with the Salvadoran Consulate. Named La Biblioteca Prudencia Ayala de el Consulado de El Salvador, the project was created to serve the children and families that visit el Conulado de El Salvador. Read more about the project in this month’s REFORMA LA’s Newsletter. HERE PLEASE LINK TO SONIA’S PIECE.

The REFORMA Los Angeles Chapter also extended a warm and enthusiastic welcome to J. Carlos Rodriguez. Carlos is now the University Library Dean, at California State University Los Angeles.  Welcome to Los Angeles Carlos! We are happy you’re here.

Please remember that the REFORMA Los Angeles Chapter raises funds year around to support our annual Elizabeth Martinez and Dr. Karin Durán MLIS graduate scholarships. Help us make this another successful year! If you would like to donate to our 2017 scholarship fund, please send checks made payable to:

REFORMA Los Angeles, c/o Madeline Peña
16211 Downey Ave., Unit 131
Paramount, CA 90723