Detangling and Weaving the Latinx Diaspora through Library Programs

10:30am-12pm

Presenter: Mariella Colon & Daylily Alvarez

Session Type: Panel Discussion

Topic: Identities and intersectionality

Description

This session will contend with explaining how 21st-century colonization continues to influence media representation of Latinx communities and the library’s role to help combat that. The “border crisis” that the media is currently focused on is because of systemic racism and the
American government propagating corporate fascism. It is intended to disinform. The library’s mission is to make information accessible and accurate so we have an influential role to play in the battle against disinformation. Community expertise is really about re-thinking who is a subject matter expert able to host programming at our library. As history privileges the written word, it is important that long-standing community members who offer narratives of life in the city be centered in our libraries on an equal basis. Language is so important, but reiterating that our Latinx populations must be reflected in our spaces, who better to teach them their history then la abuela who has lived in her corner brownstone for 50 years? Also, with the introduction of virtual programming, inviting specialized experts globally is now possible. Virtual programming allows us to open up our libraries to the world, but also makes programs accessible, both physically but also using accessible language. How to do that effectively and respectfully will be covered in the session.

Facilitators

Mariella Colon & Daylily Alvarez
Librarians
Chicago Public Library

Contact:

Mariella: mcolon@chipublib.org

Daylily: dalvarez1@chipublib.org

Resources

American Library Association (ALA) Spectrum Scholarship Program
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/spectrum