Tiffany Wilson is back with a new blog post about how libraries are supporting communities around the world and how REFORMA is playing a role.
There are many libraries around the world that are doing wonderful work. In many parts of the world today information accessibility is being threatened. Access to information is a privilege that as Americans we easily take for granted. Access to information is not a guaranteed privilege in many countries. REFORMA advocates for students to create a welcoming environment to grow and flourish. REFORMA also encourages students to become culturally competent information professionals in the communities they serve. It is very important to understand the community you serve. In locations worldwide, libraries are under attack. REFORMA aligns its organizational values which includes “learning experiences, collaboration and networking, sharing of informational resources and mutual encouragement to help support libraries worldwide” (REFORMA, 2021, para.2)
Currently in Nigeria there is a lack of library professionals and a lack of funding for libraries. Nigeria’s National library is still striving despite the odds. From the National Library of Nigeria, they are providing services for their patrons. The library has a read a book a day campaign. The campaign is encouraging patrons to continue reading books. The library is also utilizing the internet to provide virtual library service. The library is fighting against misinformation and utilizing the internet to help promote library services online.
In Colombia, library science is a developing science in this nation. Library science is being used to help serve the scientific and technological needs of Colombia. Mr. Luis Soriano Bohorquez who leads the biblioburro service is serving the rural information community of La Gloria, Colombia. He is helping people with limited access to transportation to have book delivery at their homes. REFORMA supports librarians like Mr. Bohorquez because a core value of REFORMA is to “identify resources, toolkits, workshops, and conferences in order to serve Spanish-speaking and Latinx communities” (REFORMA, 2021, para. 3)
The Camel Library Service in Kenya, Africa utilizes camels to bring books to 1 million people who live in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. This area sadly has some of the worst literacy rates in the country. REFORMA’s values align with the activities of the Camel Library because the Camel Library is helping to “create a welcoming and inclusive environment” (REFORMA, 2021, para. 3). REFORMA looks to defeat the barriers that illiteracy holds or language barriers. The ability for all people to feel welcome is of paramount importance.
A library that contributes terrific work is the Marina Public Library in Marina, CA. In Monterey County there is a high illiteracy rate. Monterey County contains many agricultural areas. There is a rich Mexican culture. However, there is an underlying sentiment which states that having a job is more important than education or reading. This sentiment stems from the high cost of living in Monterey County as well as in many other counties in California. Having a job to help support your family supersedes the value of reading. Per Panetta Institute (2020) approximately 28% of adults living in Monterey County suffer from low literacy or illiteracy (para.1). Many of the people who suffer from illiteracy are Latino and Spanish speaking. The mission statement of REFORMA includes cultivating a “welcoming environment to develop, engage, and support students and alumni who are interested in working with Spanish-speaking communities. REFORMA supports the work of the Marina Library of offering virtual conversation classes to help students improve their conversation skills in English. The students can practice speaking the pledge of allegiance which is required to be recited at the citizenship exam. The work of this library aligns with the vision statement of REFORMA which is “advancing library services for Spanish-speaking and Latinx community” (REFORMA, 2021, para. 2).
With the examples of the wonderful work of a sample of libraries, it shows that librarians are actively overcoming barriers. Librarians are immensely resourceful, hardworking and dedicated to promoting information access for all people regardless of race, age, gender or economic status. With the dedication of librarians, REFORMA is dedicated to providing students and the surrounding community access to information. REFORMA is constantly striving to “establish a community for student and alumni learning and development” (REFORMA, 2021, para 3). Please continue to support the work of REFORMA. By supporting REFORMA you are also helping to support current and future librarians to provide continued access to information
References
Panetta Institute. (2020). Monterey county reads – Volunteers helping area children. Panetta Institute for Public Policy.
http://www.panettainstitute.org/programs/monterey-county-reads/
REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos
and the Spanish-Speaking. (2020). About reforma. https://www.reforma.org/about
Tiffany Wilson
Tiffany Wilson is a second year student at the San José State University iSchool. Tiffany currently resides in Monterey, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Communications at California State University Monterey Bay in 2007 and an associates degree in Spanish from Monterey Peninsula College in 2019. She has a background in volunteering in public libraries and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Tiffany is a current member of REFORMA. Tiffany is dedicated to advocating for equity in public libraries. She is a lifelong reader and passionate about libraries. In her free time Tiffany enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
