REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, more commonly known as REFORMA, is an affiliate of the
American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members a ...
formed in 1971 to promote
library
A library is a collection of materials, books or media that are accessible for use and not just for display purposes. A library provides physical (hard copies) or digital access (soft copies) materials, and may be a physical location or a vir ...
services to
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
s and the
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries
**Spanish cuisine
Other places
* Spanish, Ontario, Cana ...
-speaking. It is registered in
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
as a
501(c)(3)
A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 50 ...
nonprofit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
.
History
Before the mid-1950s, there was very limited recognition of the Latino community within U.S. librarianship. By the 1960s, however, the need for information sources for the increasing Spanish-speaking population became more apparent, and some federal funding materialized for libraries to address this need. However, the mainstream profession and its associations remained indifferent to the Latino community, so Latino librarians developed a
grassroots
A grassroots movement is one that uses the people in a given district, region or community as the basis for a political or economic movement. Grassroots movements and organizations use collective action from the local level to effect change at t ...
movement.
1968 saw the formation of the Committee to Recruit Mexican American Librarians in Los Angeles, which founded a Graduate Institute for Mexican American Librarians at
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF or Cal State Fullerton) is a public university in Fullerton, California. With a total enrollment of more than 41,000, it has the largest student body of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) ...
. In 1972, Fullerton's Graduate Institute was joined by the Graduate Library Institute for Spanish-Speaking Americans (GLISA) at the
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona (Arizona, U of A, UArizona, or UA) is a public land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, it was the first university in the Arizona Territory.
T ...
. Both programs focused on recruiting Latino librarians, but were short-lived.
Dr. Arnulfo Trejo, Elizabeth Martinez, and REFORMA
The National Association of Spanish Speaking Librarians in the United States, which would later be called REFORMA, was founded in 1971 by
Arnulfo Trejo
Arnulfo Duenes Trejo (August 15, 1922 – July 5, 2002) was a writer and Professor of Library Science at the University of Arizona. He was a leader in the movement to increase library collections of Latino literature and Spanish-language mat ...
and
Elizabeth Martinez. In 1983, the Association's name was changed to REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking to better reflect the goal of the association. It is now known as REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, or just REFORMA.
REFORMA National Conferences
REFORMA holds national conference called RNCs: RNC I (Austin, August 22-25, 1996); RNC II (Tucson); RNC III "Bridging the Gaps: Juntos @ the Border"(El Paso, September 19-21, 2008); RNC IV (Denver), RNC V “Bibliotecas sin fronteras: creando nuestro futuro / Libraries without Borders: Creating Our Future.”(San Diego); RNC VI (San Juan,Puerto Rico-cancelled due to Hurricane Maria) and RNC VII, "Somos el cambio / We Are the Change" (Virtual, November 4-7, 2021).
REFORMA Highlights
In 1985 Susan Luévano-Molina became the first female president of REFORMA.
In 2006, REFORMA took part in the first Joint Conference of Librarians of Color, along with the
American Indian Library Association
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
, the
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association
The Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), also known as the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association,Yamashita, Kenneth A.(2000), Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association— A History of APALA and Its Founders, Library Tr ...
, the
Black Caucus of the American Library Association
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) is an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA) that focuses on the needs of African Americans, African American library professionals by promoting careers in librarianship, ...
, the
Chinese American Librarians Association
The Chinese American Librarians Association or CALA (), promotes the Chinese culture through the outlet of libraries and communicates with others in the profession of librarianship.
History
The Mid-West Chinese American Librarians Association beg ...
.
This conference was the first national conference sponsored and held by those organizations, which are known as the Associations of Ethnic Librarians.
The Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC, Inc.) was founded in June 2015 as an organization “that advocates for and addresses the common needs of the American Library Association ethnic affiliates“;
these ethnic affiliates include REFORMA, as well as the
American Indian Library Association
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
, the
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association
The Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), also known as the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association,Yamashita, Kenneth A.(2000), Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association— A History of APALA and Its Founders, Library Tr ...
, the
Black Caucus of the American Library Association
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) is an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA) that focuses on the needs of African Americans, African American library professionals by promoting careers in librarianship, ...
, and the
Chinese American Librarians Association
The Chinese American Librarians Association or CALA (), promotes the Chinese culture through the outlet of libraries and communicates with others in the profession of librarianship.
History
The Mid-West Chinese American Librarians Association beg ...
.
In 2019 the
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is a museum devoted to the art of the picture book and especially the children's book. It is a member of Museums10 and is adjacent to the campus of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. The Carle wa ...
presented its Angel award to REFORMA for its work to support refugee and immigrant children, the Pura Belpré Award, and development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latinx-oriented materials.
50th Anniversary
REFORMA celebrated 50 years with a virtual conference:
Somos el cambio / We Are the Change' November 4–7, 2021. This was also RNC VII. Proceedings of the 50th anniversary conference included presentations on "Increasing Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color (BIPOC) Voices at Conferences and Workshops;" "La Biblioteca is for Everyone: Using Collections and Programs to Build Connections with Your Spanish Speakers;" "One Book Sin Fronteras: Conectando Comunidades Locales y Transfronterizas Mediante Múltiples Expresiones de la Lectura;" "Pura Belpré Award 101: From Volunteer Forms to Celebración;" and "Telling Our Stories and Voices for Equity: Recruitment and Retention of BIPOC Library Workers."
The 2021
Alice G. Smith Lecture "Changing the Face of Librarianship: REFORMA and Library Services to Latino Communities" presented by
Lucia M. Gonzalez
Lucia M. Gonzalez is a children's author and librarian. In 2020 she was elected as president of the Association for Library Service to Children of the American Library Association. She was president of REFORMA in 2010-2011.
Personal life
She was ...
and Alicia K. Long at the
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university with its main campus located in Tampa, Florida, and other campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota. It is one of 12 members of the State University System of Florida. USF is ...
, School of Information was a 50 year assessment of the impact of REFORMA.
Governing Structure
REFORMA is governed by the Board of Directors, composed of the Executive Committee, the Chairs of Standing Committees, the Chapter Presidents, and any other person/office designated by the Board.
Activities
REFORMA's activities include promoting the collection of Spanish-language materials in libraries; advocating the recruitment of Latinos to work in libraries in order to better serve the Latino population, educating Latinos about the services public libraries offer; promoting library programs that benefit Latinos. REFORMA also serves as a network of
librarian
A librarian is a person who works professionally in a library providing access to information, and sometimes social or technical programming, or instruction on information literacy to users.
The role of the librarian has changed much over time, ...
s who share these interests.
Many of REFORMA's activities are pursued within twenty regional and local chapters, which operate autonomously to achieve the association's goals in local libraries and communities. National activities include a scholarship drive which funds
graduate education in librarianship for students sharing REFORMA's goals and the publication of a biannual newsletter. Over the years, REFORMA has also taken positions and become involved in political issues concerning Latino communities in the United States, especially issues that affect reading and library services. Examples are
Position on Language Rights ttp://libraryadvocacy.blogspot.com/2006/04/reforma-bod-to-vote-on-resolution.html Resolution Opposing Sensenbrenner Bill (H.R. 4437) an
Statement Regarding Censorship of Children's Book(in Florida).
Awards and Scholarships
REFORMA has provided scholarships to
graduate library school Education for librarianship, including for paraprofessional library workers, varies around the world, and has changed over time. In recent decades, many institutions offering librarianship education have changed their names to reflect the shift from ...
students who plan to work with the Latino community since the early 1980s.
![REFORMA Gala 2022](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/REFORMA_Gala_2022.jpg)
REFORMA grants four awards: the Trejo Librarian of the Year Award presented to a librarian who has made exemplary contributions to the library profession in service to the Latino community; the
Elizabeth Martinez Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing a librarian whose dedication to librarianship "has made significant and lasting contributions to REFORMA or on REFORMA's behalf, as well as to the Latino and Spanish-speaking community"; the
Pat Mora
Pat Mora (born January 19, 1942 in El Paso, Texas) is an American poet and author of books for adults, teens and children. Her grandparents came to El Paso from northern Mexico. A graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, she received Honor ...
Award presented to libraries in recognition of their
Día de Los Niños/Día de Los Libros (Children's Day/Book Day) activities; and the
Pura Belpré Award
The Pura Belpré Award is a recognition presented to a Latino or Latina author and illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth. It was established in 1996. It was given every oth ...
given to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator for excellence in Latino literature for children and youth.
The
Rose Treviño
Rose Violet Zertuche Treviño (December 17, 1951 – April 30, 2010) born in San Antonio, Texas was a distinguished children's librarian, advocate of library services for Latinos and the first Hispanic branch manager in San Antonio, Texas. Trevi ...
Memorial Scholarship is open to Latinos and/or Spanish speakers pursuing a degree in children and young adult librarianship, and the REFORMA Scholarship is open to students who qualify for graduate study in Library and Information Science who are Spanish-speakers or interested in serving Latinos or the Spanish-speaking.
Presidents
The Presidency of REFORMA is currently a position that is held for three years, including one as Vice President/President-Elect and one as Past President. Past and current presidents:
* David Lopez (2023-2024)
* Romelia Salinas (2022-2023)
* Nicanor Diaz (2021-2022)
* Oscar Baeza (2020–2021)
* Kenny Garcia (2019–2020)
* Madeline Peña (2018–2019)
* Tess Tobin (2017–2018)
* Selina Gomez-Beloz (2016–2017)
* Beatriz Guevara (2015–2016)
* Silvia Cisneros (2014–2015)
* Isabel Espinal (2013–2014)
* Denice Adkins (2012–2013)
* Maria Kramer (2011–2012)
*
Lucia M. Gonzalez
Lucia M. Gonzalez is a children's author and librarian. In 2020 she was elected as president of the Association for Library Service to Children of the American Library Association. She was president of REFORMA in 2010-2011.
Personal life
She was ...
(2010–2011)
*
Loida Garcia-Febo
Loida Garcia-Febo is a Puerto Rican American librarian and library consultant. Garcia-Febo served on the Governing Board of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) 2013-2015 and 2015-2017 and she was a member of the Executive ...
(2009–2010)
* Luis Chaparro (2008–2009)
* Mario Ascencio (2007–2008)
* Roxana Benavides (2006–2007)
* Ana-Elba Pavón (2005–2006)
* José Ruiz Álvarez (2004–2005)
* Linda Chavez Doyle (2003–2004)
* Ben Ocón (2002–2003)
* Susana Hinojosa (2001–2002)
*
Oralia Garza de Cortes
Oralia Garza de Cortes is a librarian, advocate, bibliographer, and scholar. She has been honored by REFORMA with the Lifetime Achievement Award which recognizes excellence in librarianship over a career for one who has made significant and lastin ...
(2000–2001)
* Toni Bissessar (1999–2000)
* Jacqueline Ayala (1998–1999)
* Sandra Ríos Balderrama (1997–1998)
* Edward Erazo (1996–1997)
* Judith Castiano (1995–1996)
* Gilda Baeza Ortego (1994–1995)
*
Camila Alire (1993–1994)
* Martín Gómez (1992–1993)
* Mario González (1991–1992)
* Ron Rodríguez (1990–1991)
* Rhonda Ríos-Kravitz (1989–1990)
* Ingrid Betancourt (1988–1989)
* Elizabeth Rodriguez-Miller (1987–1988)
* Elena Tscherny (1986–1987)
* Susan Luévano-Molina (1985–1986)
* Salvador Güereña (1984–1985)
* Albert A. Milo (1983–1984)
* Luis Herrera (1982–1983)
* Cesar Caballero (1980–1982)
* Daniel Flores Durán (1978–1980)
* Roberto Cabello Argandoña (1977–1978)
* José G. Taylor (1976–1977)
* John Ayala (1974–1976)
* Alberto Irabian (1974–1974)
*
Arnulfo Trejo
Arnulfo Duenes Trejo (August 15, 1922 – July 5, 2002) was a writer and Professor of Library Science at the University of Arizona. He was a leader in the movement to increase library collections of Latino literature and Spanish-language mat ...
(1971–1974)
External links
*
References
{{Authority control
1971 establishments in the United States
Hispanic and Latino American culture in Washington, D.C.
Hispanic and Latino American librarians
Hispanic and Latino American organizations
Library associations in the United States
Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.
Organizations established in 1971
Library-related organizations