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Spanish Outreach

Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Webinar: Mission Critical – Serving Spanish Speakers
May 24th, 2010 | Permalink | Comments Off

Join us for this webinar presented on Wednesday May 26, at 1:00 Eastern in collaboration with REFORMA. Now more than ever, programs for Spanish speakers at libraries around the country are seeing record attendance and positive feedback from participants. Find out how your outreach efforts and your community can help position the library as critical in the eyes of stakeholders and decision makers. Come hear practical, successful examples of library services targeted to new immigrants, including English Language Learning (ELL), computer instruction, children’s concurrent programming, job search workshops and resources, GED workshops, family literacy programming, and how to successfully communicate with library decision makers, staff, community leaders and officials. Presenters for this webinar include Emily A. Klopstein, Senior Librarian, Hampden Branch of the Denver Public Library; Loida Garcia-Febo, REFORMA President 2009-2010, and assistant coordinator for the New Americans Program and special services at the Queens Library; and Carol Brey-Casiano, Director of Libraries, El Paso Public Library, Past-President of ALA, and Chair of ALA/ Committee on Library Advocacy.

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groups, Online Collaboration, Online Learning, Spanish Outreach
The Story of a WebJunction Course
May 7th, 2010 | Permalink | Comments Off
WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Course has returned to the course catalog after an extensive makeover. This self-paced course contains a wealth of information, techniques and tools you can use to jump start your library’s outreach efforts to your local Spanish-speaking community. In celebration of the relaunch, we are offering the course for half price through the end of May. Once registered, you will have access to the course for a full year. And if you are a member of one of our State Library Partner communities, remember to enroll via your community’s catalog as the course may be free or reduced. (And be sure to thank them!)

As part of the team that refreshed and relaunched the course (kudos especially to Dale and Sharon), I spent some time reflecting on the story behind the course. All of the courses in WebJunction’s catalog have a story behind them, but this one especially illustrates the effort and collaboration that goes into the creation of a course.

Course Creation
The course was initially developed with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program, a nationwide program that partnered with state libraries to provide on-the-ground outreach workshops in 40 states and has cultivated WebJunction’s online community of library staff committed to serving the needs of Spanish speakers. Yolanda Cuesta, author and expert on outreach to multicultural communities, developed a stellar curriculum for the workshops and, along with Laura Staley, SLO’s project manager, adapted the curriculum for the online version. The technical side of course development is not to be overlooked but let’s just say that somewhere in there the magic happened and in March of 2006 the initial course was launched. And since I’m reminiscing, I’d like to be sure to recognize too, the 158 trainers and coordinators who’s fine work enhanced the content throughout all 3 rounds of the program (440 workshops!) as well as the online course. The recent refresh and revamp was completed to update links and handouts and in order to migrate the course to an elearning standard format so the system tracks your progress as you work through the course (doesn’t have to be in one sitting!) and so you can receive a certificate.

Course Outline
The course description provides a complete set of learning goals, but here’s a quick outline of what’s covered in the course:
- Overview of the current landscape of Hispanic/Latino populations, their access to technology and existing library services.
- Understanding cultural differences and the dimensions of diversity.
- Developing an outreach action plan including needs assessment, building community partnerships, planning, programming and marketing.
- Implementing computer classes for Spanish speakers.
- Evaluating the impacts of outreach efforts.
Taking the course with others
But today the most exciting part about the story is that we’ve created a new course group for folks enrolled or interested in the course. The WebJunction groups feature is being used by members to gather, often as co-learners, and as a member of this group, you can augment your self-paced learning by connecting with others taking the course, asking questions of one another, and sharing your experiences with outreach at your library. I’ve posted a handful of resources to the group, including one of the course’s most valued tools, Serving Spanish Speaking Communities Success Checklist, which helps you to assess how well your library understands and serves your Spanish-speaking patrons. There are a few other resources posted related to learning with a cohort, but I hope to see others join in and share their own templates, tools and examples related to their learning. All are welcome to join and take part in the group, including those who have already taken the course or those who would simply like to share ideas about enhancing services with other library staff. I know that there are at least 15 people out there who have enrolled since the course relaunched, so I’ll be looking to you to join the group and model cohort learning. The story of this course continues with you and with what you do to improve or enhance services to Spanish speakers in your community. Thank you to all WebJunction learners for all you do for libraries!

There’s a second WebJunction course discounted this month on Updating and Upgrading Library Computer Software and I’m sure there’s a story behind that one too, but as Joe Janes always says, “that’s another story.”

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Spanish Outreach
El día de los niños/El día de los libros: April 30
April 9th, 2010 | Permalink | 1 Comment
Don’t miss this great opportunity to showcase your collections and programming for Spanish speakers! As explained on the recent ALSC blog post:

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), known as Día, is a celebration EVERY DAY of children, families, and reading that culminates every year on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Día is an enhancement of Children’s Day, which began in 1925. Children’s Day was designated as a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. In 1996, nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy to found El día de los niños/El día de los libros.

Here are a few places to get great ideas for your library’s celebration:
- Pat Mora is showcasing outstanding library program ideas in her Bookjoy blog
- WebJunction for resources and discussions for serving Spanish speaking Families, Teens & Kids
- Association for Library Service to Children is maintaining a Facebook page for El día de los niños/El día de los libros with loads of great ideas.
- National Latino Children’s Institute for a list of activities ideas.
And as always, I hope you’ll come back and tell everyone what you did to celebrate! Post here in BlogJunction comments or on WebJunction’s discussions.
PLA 2010, Spanish Outreach
Talk Table: Reaching out to Spanish speakers
March 24th, 2010 | Permalink | 1 Comment
I tend to prefer conference events that provide interactive opportunities for attendees to “get work done” or to leave inspired with practical action items to bring back home. Everyone knows this happens informally in the hallways, on the exhibit floor, or over meals, but I’m very excited about tomorrow’s talk table, Latinos and Public Library Perceptions (Thursday, 4:00-5:15 pm, Oregon Convention Center – A103-104).

I’m co-facilitating the session with MaryKay Dalgreen from the Oregon State Library. After we introduce some of the published research about library use and perceptions of Latino’s nationally we’ll share some of the great Spanish language outreach that Oregon libraries have been doing. And then we’ll let the group get some work done!

Using the World Café model for discovery discussions and guided by the key findings of the research, we’ll look at ways to:
- Know your local Latino community
- Create and promote services for learning English
- Promote and provide access to computers and job related services
- Be welcoming and demonstrate respect for confidentiality
If you’re here in Portland, we hope you’ll join us tomorrow, and if you can’t make it, fear not; we’ll be posting the great ideas, stories and questions gathered back on WebJunction.

PS: Don’t miss another great session just before this one with some of WebJunction community’s best and brightest. Power up Your Learning Organization (Thursday, 2:00-3:15 pm, Oregon Convention Center – A105-106) and checkout this list for more PLA sightings of WebJunction members and staff!
PLA 2010, Spanish Outreach
WebJunction @ PLA 2010
February 23rd, 2010 | Permalink | 1 Comment

As you plan your PLA 2010 conference schedule, be sure to include these events, where you’re likely to find other WebJunction members and staff. Beginning to compile this list has made me very excited about this conference and I look forward to adding more suggestions from the WebJunction community in the weeks leading up to the conference. Please post your not-to-be-missed suggestions in comments below and we’ll be sure to spread the word. There are a handful of events below that require separate registration so please note where indicated and visit OCLC’s PLA Events to register for many other sessions on timely topics.

For those who won’t be attending the conference f2f, we aim to provide you with conference coverage here on WebJunction. If you’re a WebJunction member who would like to help cover the conference for the community (the f2f or Virtual PLA versions), let us know and we’ll set you up as a guest blogger!

Wednesday, March 24

If you plan on arriving early, there are over a dozen preconference events to consider but you won’t regret attending this one. Longtime WebJunction member and super hero of accidental technology trainers, Stephanie Gerding will kick-start your conference adventure.

The Accidental Technology Trainer

Presented by Stephanie Gerding
8:30 am-12:00 pm, Oregon Convention Center – A105-106

Accidental technology trainers are responsible for technology training in labs, classrooms, or one-on-one with users or staff. You will learn about great tools and techniques, the most common concerns of technology trainers, and get helpful advice resulting from many years of coordinating and providing training for public libraries. You’ll discover why learning styles are important; how to create an interactive learning community; strategies for communicating about technology; and techniques for using activities, games, storytelling, and case studies.

Exhibits Open/Reception
4:00pm-6:30pm

Stop by and visit WebJunction at the OCLC booth, #1847 in the exhibits hall. We’ll also be there on Thursday from 9:30-5 and on Friday from 9:30-4.

Thursday, March 25

LITA’s Top Technology Trends
8:30-9:45 am, Oregon Convention Center – B113-116

A panel of LITA leaders who are acknowledged for their reputations and expertise in the library and information technology fields will discuss and debate the top technology trends in public libraries. WebJunction’s Michael Porter will be joined by David Lee King, Joan Frye Williams, and Michelle Frisque.

Geek the Library: Putting Theory into Practice
8:30–9:45 am, Doubletree Hotel Portland, Oregon Room
Please register for this session

Geek the Library is a public awareness pilot campaign implemented in select communities in Iowa, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. After several months, the results of the pilot are in. Were we able to increase awareness of the need for public library funding? Get the full scoop, and find out how you can implement Geek the Library in your community.

Power up Your Learning Organization
2:00-3:15 pm, Oregon Convention Center – A105-106

Transform your library into a Learning Organization. Discover new strategies and tools that move staff beyond training to proactive learning. Explore opportunities for self-directed, online, and social learning. Discuss ideas for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and mentoring. Then put these ideas into action. You won’t want to miss one, staring some of the WebJunction community’s brightest stars: Betha Gutsche, Jennifer Fenton, Kathleen Gesinger and Michele Leininger.

Latinos and Public Library Perceptions (Talk Table)
4:00-5:15 pm, Oregon Convention Center – A103-104

In partnership with the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute, WebJunction published research about library use and perceptions of more than 2,860 Latinos nationally. At this talk table, discuss the findings and recommendations for increasing Latino library use and suggest best practices for implementing outreach to Spanish-speakers in your library community. Facilitated by WebJunction’s Jennifer Peterson and SLO program coordinator/trainer, MaryKay Dalgreen, Oregon State Library.

WebJunction’s Party with Competencies
6:30-8:30 pm, Note location update: Doubletree Hotel Portland, Hawthorne/Sellwood
Please register for this session

Grab a bite and a sip and connect with the people and proven competency resources that can help your library! We’ll have plenty of fun, food, festivities, good company and practical material for you to enjoy and take back to your library to help you and your staff learn and work more effectively.

Friday, March 26

OCLC Update Breakfast
7:30–8:45 am, Doubletree Hotel Portland, Hawthorne/Sellwood/Ross Island Rooms
Please register for this session

Join OCLC President and CEO Jay Jordan for breakfast and an update on what’s new at OCLC, including service enhancements and new initiatives that make information access easier. Share your questions and discussion with your colleagues at WebJunction’s roundtable discussion.

2010 Perceptions of Libraries in Changing Economic Times
10:30 am–12:00 pm, Doubletree Hotel Portland, Hawthorne/Sellwood/Ross Island Rooms
Please register for this session

In 2005, OCLC published a groundbreaking report, Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources. Five years later, OCLC has embarked on an updated study about library users and their information-seeking behavior, paying particular attention to the perception of libraries in these current economic conditions. Join Cathy De Rosa, Vice President for the Americas & Global Vice President of Marketing at OCLC, for an engaging discussion of the findings from OCLC’s latest research.

Expanding your world through Web Conferencing
2:00-3:15 pm, Oregon Convention Center – E141-144

Join panelists Jennifer Peterson, Karen Burns, and Cindi Hickey for a session filled with experience and expertise in online engagement! We’ll discuss our own use of web conferencing tools to host online conferences, produce e-learning activities, conduct capacity building for remote staff, and host virtual meetings and focus groups. Together we will share best practices for presenters, ideas for integrating web conferencing with other technologies, and user success stories. If you want to see what we’ll be talking about, check out the new WebJunction Group Online Conferencing!
Conferences, Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Webinar: Maximizing Connections with “Mini” Conferences
February 12th, 2010 | Permalink | 1 Comment

Join us on February 17 for Maximizing Local Connections and Resources with “Min” Conferences, the second in a series of webinars presented in collaboration with REFORMA. In these times of tight budgets and restricted travel, attending national conferences has become impossible for many library staff. Many local and regional agencies are joining forces to coordinate “mini” conferences that provide the means of connecting and collaborating locally, often providing a more focused and meaningful experience for attendees. Since 2005, the Northeast Chapter of REFORMA has joined forces with ALA ethnic caucuses to present a terrific conference where library workers network, exchange ideas and listen to quality speakers. What started as an idea has grown into an annual event embraced by REFORMA, AILA, APALA, BCALA and CALA. Come hear best practices in planning, coordinating and hosting a “mini” conference from your colleagues who have had success in their regions. Webinar presenters include Loida Garcia-Febo, REFORMA president; Tess Tobin, REFORMA’s Northeast Chapter; and Janice Rice and Haipeng Li, co-chairs of the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color.

Register for the event »
Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Webinar: How Bilingual Storytimes Build Early Literacy and Community
July 28th, 2009 | Permalink | Comments Off

Register now for tomorrow’s free webinar with Laura Tarango and Valerie Wonder. Libraries are expanding storytime programming to build early literacy skills in their community. The Mission Branch of the San Francisco Public Library recently added to their popular Bilingual Toddler Tales Program (300-400 attendees!) hands-on literacy activity stations for caregivers to explore. Seattle Public Library has expanded their Summer Reading Program to include bilingual storytimes in Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish. Both libraries have had great success in their early literacy programming and continue to build deep connections with caregivers in their communities. Join Laura children’s librarian at the Mission Branch, and Valerie, immigrant and refugee programs manager at Seattle Public Library, and you’ll hear how they assessed the community’s needs, developed and adapted the programs; and they’ll provide practical steps for you to apply to your outreach and programming efforts.

View the webinar archive »
Community Building, groups, Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Webinar and Group: Living Libraries, Understanding Diversity
July 17th, 2009 | Permalink | Comments Off

Join us for a free webinar next Wednesday, July 22: Living Library Project: Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover. The Living Library is a unique event that brings together people who have special interests, beliefs or experiences to speak with people from different backgrounds and share their personal story. In this innovative program participants can “check out” Living Books for a personal conversation. Both the Bainbridge Island and Santa Monica Public Libraries executed two successful Living Library events. The Bainbridge Island event covered such diverse experiences as life as a quadriplegic, a female police officer, a young gay man and an atheist. Santa Monica Public Library’s Living Books included a fat activist, a formerly homeless person, an ex-gangmember and a nudist. Join us for a free webinar with leads from these projects: Rebecca Judd from the Bainbridge Island (WA) branch of the Kitsap Regional Library System, and Julie MacDonald and Rachel Foyt from the Santa Monica Public Library in Santa Monica (CA). Hear how they planned and implemented the project in their libraries, and find out how you can create a Living Library in your community. For more information on the project see this BlogJunction post from last fall, listen to an interview with Ulla Brohed as she discusses the Malmö Living Library in Sweden, and explore Living Library documents from the Olympia Timberland Library. You won’t want to miss this one!

View the webinar archive »
Visit the new Group »
groups, Spanish Outreach
WJ Group: Bibliotecarios de América Latina
May 29th, 2009 | Permalink | 2 Comments

Hats off this week to Lucia Shelton for getting the new WebJunction group, Bibliotecarios de América Latina, up and running. It’s another fine example of leveraging the WJ Groups tool to build a community on the site, this one especailly for Spanish or Portuguese speaking librarians in Latin America. Lucia’s part of the Latin America and the Caribbean team at OCLC and she’s done an excellent job of welcoming folks to the group. Viva la WebJunction internationale!
Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Webinar: Spanish Language Outreach Success
May 7th, 2009 | Permalink | 1 Comment

Register today for a free webinar on May 13 featuring real-world examples of successful outreach to Spanish-speakers. Three Montana librarians, Amy Ling (North Valley Public Library), Marie Habener (Dillon Public Library) and Molly Ledermann (Missoula Public Library) will present the work they have done to sustain the momentum of WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach project, and discuss their ongoing strategies to assess community needs, make their libraries more welcoming, develop programming, and foster connections with Spanish-speaking communities. Montana librarians became involved with Spanish Language Outreach through participation in workshops in seven Montana communities. Since then, they have used the MTSLO blog to showcase those who continue to provide outreach activities, services and programs for Spanish Speakers in their communities.

Register for the webinar »
Conferences, Spanish Outreach
KLA / MPLA Joint Conference 2009 – Libraries: Dynamic People, Places & Ideas
April 3rd, 2009 | Permalink | 1 Comment

I’ve had an amazing few days in Kansas at the KLA/MPLA Library Conference. I was here to present the findings of the Latinos and Public Library Perceptions Report created by WebJunction in partnership with the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute. I also presented “What’s New at WebJunction” with Cindi Hickey, the WebJunction Coordinator for the State Library of Kansas. I talked about all the exciting new things happening on at WebJunction HQ—like our upcoming online events, WebJunction Library Management and Technology Competencies, as well as some of our new social networking projects like the 101 Tech Success Tips in 30 Days. Cindi talked specifically about the exciting things happening at WebJunction Kansas and how people can continue to get involved. This is certainly an involved, community-centered group of librarians in the heartland. Did you know that WebJunction Kansas has about 1200 active members? I also got to watch the KLA Fundraiser & Talent Show where there was some real community spirit on display. Since I’m not a dues paying member of KLA, I don’t know that I’m at liberty to provide full disclosure of the events of that night, but I will tell you that it included a State Library rap ensemble, nunchucks, and a coconut cream pie in the face. It was a great night and over $700 was raised to support KLA! Thank you so much Cindi Hickey for being my co-presenter and showing me a fantastic time. And a very special thank you to Christie Brandau and all the Kansas librarians and library staff who made me so welcome.
Spanish Outreach, Town Hall
Town Hall: Spanish language outreach in today’s economy
February 3rd, 2009 | Permalink | Comments Off

With the recent economic downturn, we are experiencing firsthand its effect on our libraries, our lives, and our communities. WebJunction recently began hosting a series of virtual “Town Halls” on the general subject of tough times, staff training, and now a session focused specifically on how tough times impact Spanish speakers and our outreach efforts to that community. Update: The archive of this session is available: Town Hall on SLO in Tough Times. This new webinar format is designed to encourage participation from all attendees. Please come to this one-hour session prepared to ask and answer questions, share stories, brainstorm solutions, and offer practical advice. Bring your challenges and ideas, and we’ll tackle them together in the town hall—and in the coming year through additional webinars, resource sharing and learning on WebJunction.
Spanish Outreach
How Librarians Are Overcoming the Language Divide
November 20th, 2008 | Permalink | Comments Off

Check out this great article about libraries reaching out to Spanish speakers in their communities by Críticas. Several libraries and trainers who have actively participated in WebJunction’s Spanish Language Outreach Program are profiled in the article including: Kim Iraci of the Pioneer Library System in Canandaigua, NY; Jo Caisse of the Deschutes Public Library in Bend, OR; and Sara Martinez from the Tulsa City-County Library in Tulsa, OK who was part of Siga Adelante (Moving Forward) Program (a partnership between WebJunction and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Upcoming Webinar: Latinos and Public Library Perceptions Webinar
November 14th, 2008 | Permalink | 2 Comments

The Latinos and Public Library Perceptions Webinar scheduled for last month has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, November 18th. Join us to learn about WebJunction’s recent partnership with the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) to survey more than 2,800 Latinos about library use and perceptions.

Report authors Harry Pachon, Ph.D., President Tomás Rivera Policy Institute and Ed Flores, doctoral student and Tomás Rivera Policy Institute Research Fellow will discuss the report’s findings and recommendations.

Webinar details:

Latinos and Public Library Perceptions
When: November 18, 2008, 12:00 PM Central
Register for this webinar
Spanish Outreach, Webinar
Upcoming Webinar: Latinos and Public Library Perceptions.
October 8th, 2008 | Permalink | 2 Comments

As many of you are aware, WebJunction recently teamed with the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) to survey more than 2800 Latinos about library use and perceptions. The report has been garnering praise as a very useful tool in helping libraries connect with their community.

Now you can take your understanding of the report to the next level with an October 14 Spanish Language Outreach Webinar “Latinos and Public Library Perceptions.” Join Laura Staley, Senior Community Manager at WebJunction and report authors: Harry Pachon, Ph.D., President Tomás Rivera Policy Institute and Ed Flores, doctoral student and Tomás Rivera Policy Institute Research Fellow for an up-close look at the report findings.

Webinar details:

Latinos and Public Library Perceptions
When: October 14, 2008, 12:00 PM Central
Register for this webinar