One Librarian, Big Impact

By Aída Bardales -- Críticas, 6/1/2007

I recently had the opportunity to be a part of the scholarship selection committee for WebJunction’s new award for former participants of its Spanish Language Outreach (SLO) workshops who had implemented successful outreach activities after the event. I was very impressed by the applications received, though they were all too few considering the great work being done in the field. During the selection meeting, Laura Staley, WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program coordinator, said she felt the low turnout probably had to do with insufficient marketing, as well as the fact that many people simply underrate the work they do. I see the second as the bigger and more likely problem.

Living in New York City, it’s easy to assume that ESL tutoring isn’t needed. Immigrant communities abound in this cosmopolitan city, as do ESL classes, and it’s not unusual for immigrants to bypass learning English when they continue to speak their own language within their enclave. But in towns and cities such as Olympia, WA, where the Hispanic population—and the immigrant community overall—is growing, library outreach programs make a huge difference.

The winner of WebJunctions Diversity Fair scholarship, revealed last month, is Sara Peté, adult services librarian at the Olympia Timberland Library. Among the things she highlighted in her application, Peté is also a Timberland Regional Library liaison and a volunteer for Thurston County’s BookEnds Literacy Network, a program that matches volunteer tutors with ESL students. The ESL program consists of free classes and materials, as well as help to connect new arrivals with existing members of their community who want to help them familiarize themselves with their new home. Presently, the program includes approximately 30 volunteer/tutor pairs.

In my year with Críticas, I have met many librarians dedicated to Hispanic outreach. They work very hard to meet the needs of growing immigrant communities and help them adjust and succeed in this country. I suspect they aren’t always aware of how wonderful their work is, how the opportunities they offer to recent immigrants provide them with the tools to succeed in the United States. For these librarians, the job they do is simply their job, something they are passionate about, not necessarily something to brag about or be rewarded for. I find that admirable but too modest.

We need to honor the good work we see every day. By doing so, we motivate these people to continue making a difference and also encourage others to do the same.

In her application, Peté wrote that she would “love to attend the Diversity Fair…to find out more about outreach programs in other parts of the country, get fresh ideas, and meet with colleagues from other communities.” Many at the American Library Association (ALA) meeting will surely benefit from meeting her as well and will undoubtedly be inspired to initiate similar programs within their community. Peté will highlight her winning ESL Tutoring project for Spanish speakers on June 23 at the Diversity and Outreach Fair during the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

I’m looking forward to participating in the WebJunction scholarship selection committee again next year. I expect we’ll receive many more applications, and even nominations from people who know a former SLO workshop participant who is making a huge difference in Spanish-speaking immigrant communities.

Aída Bardales
Write to the Editor