REFORMA

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 movement.[1]

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. In 1972, Fullerton's Graduate Institute was joined by the Graduate Library Institute for Spanish-Speaking Americans (GLISA) at the University of Arizona. Both programs focused on recruiting Latino librarians, but were short-lived.[2]

The National Association of Spanish Speaking Librarians in the United States, which would later be called REFORMA, was founded in 1971. by Arnulfo Trejo. In 1983, the name was changed to REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking to better reflect the goal of the association.[3]

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.[4]

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 librarians who share these interests.

Many of REFORMA's activities are pursued within twenty regional and local chapters,[5] 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; Resolution in Support of Immigrants' Rights to Free Public Library Access; Resolution Opposing Sensenbrenner Bill (H.R. 4437); and Statement Regarding Censorship of Children's Book (in Florida).

REFORMA has provided scholarships to graduate library school students who plan to work with the Latino community since the early 1980s.[6]

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;[7] 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";[8] the Mora 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 given to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator for excellence in Latino literature for children and youth.[9]

The Rose Treviño 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.[10]

The 15th Annual Joint Mini-Conference & Multi-Cultural Book & Talent Fair will be held on Friday, May 10, 2019 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm at the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center, in Queens, NY. The theme of the conference is: "Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Libraries Empowering Communities". This annual mini-conference allows all of the ethnic affiliates of the American Library Association to collaborate and share best practices.[11]

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:

• Oscar Baeza (2020 - 2021)
• Kenny Garcia (2019 - 2020)
• Madeline Pena (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 (2010–2011)
• Loida Garcia-Febo (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 (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 (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 (1971–1974)

• Official website