César Chávez Day is March 31.

César Chávez Day is celebrated every year on March 31st, the birthday of one of America's most influential civil rights leaders and advocate for migrant worker's rights in the United States. As I was driving through some of Colorado's easternmost farm lands early this morning, I remembered that César Chávez Day is coming up this week, and I was reminded of his humble and non-violent message that the rights of all workers should be protected. After his death in 1993, Chávez became an icon in the Latino community due to his lifelong mission to enable Latino's to organize and demand fair and equitable living wages and working conditions. He is also famed for speaking out against prejudice and police brutality against Latinos and Mexican Americans during the 1960s and 1970s.

In an age of endless war and conflict, I find it comforting to meditate on Chávez's ideals of peace, non-violence, and social justice for all.

cover letter makeover!

I'd like to share my winning cover letter with you all. Not that anyone reads this blog. But if they did, they might find it helpful. Interesting, even. In any case, I think there are far too few examples of excellent cover letters out there. The traditional 3 paragraph blah blah blah ending with "I look forward to hearing from you soon" just wasn't going to cut it for the last 2 jobs I applied for, which demand some sort of creativity on the part of the applicant. So, for these apps...I used the acclaimed bullet-point resume style, which the career counselor at DU seemed to like today during my 20 minute cover letter makeover session.

Enjoy!


Dear Library Administrator X:

Please find attached to this letter a copy of my résumé in response to the XXX position posting at the XXX Library. I am excited to apply for this job at XXX because I feel that my diverse experiences in a variety of library settings, enthusiasm for exceptional library services to the public, and my passion for sharing technology with others makes me an ideal candidate for this position.

Regarding the qualifications and skills for this position:

• Future holder of a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science
I am preparing to finish my degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Denver, where I have taken courses focused on issues and trends specific to public librarianship. Additionally, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado and I am a fluent Spanish speaker.

• Natural-born teacher who is passionate about sharing technology and information with others
In my current position at the Supreme Court Law Library, I teach patrons how to search for and find online legal resources on the library’s online databases and other online sources. This experience has sharpened not only my technology skills, but also my skills in connecting people with relevant and useful information in a meaningful way. Additionally, my recent work at the Denver Public Library has allowed me to share various technologies with library patrons in order to enrich the lives of library patrons and their families. I instruct patrons from all ages and skill levels, often switching between English and Spanish, in using computer technologies to search for jobs, learn English, and use social networking tools. I am an enthusiastic teacher with a passion for connecting people with information and services that will create new opportunities for each customer.

• Aspiring programming librarian with a zest for language, literature, and the visual arts
As a Craft Instructor at the Denver Public Library Ross-Barnum branch, I connect children with literature and the visual arts by developing story time and craft projects once per week. I have learned firsthand through this experience that, because of excellent library programming, the library can be a place where people not only can check out books, but can also connect with an entirely new range of educational and recreational experiences. I have a passion for working with the public and designing and implementing the highest quality programs to create positive transformations for all library users.

• Self-directed, service-oriented lifelong learner who thrives in a fast-paced environment
I am an energetic, adaptive, and optimistic team player who cares deeply about the success of each library patron and who takes pride in the collective efforts of all my coworkers. My motivation at work comes from feeling confident that I am contributing to the success of customers, connecting library users to new possibilities, and creating a hospitable environment for patrons of all ages and backgrounds. I feel that my skills, experience and interests make me an excellent candidate for this position. Thank you very much for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,


Natalie Romano

Not bad, eh? Apparently, this can be an excellent way to show exactly how you, the applicant, are qualified and perfect for the job posting of XXX.

día de los niños / día de los libros: many cultures, many books

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Pat Mora's Día de los niños / día de los libros celebration in the United States. Pat Mora, a librarian and an advocate for children, started dia as a way to celebrate children's literature from all world cultures, as well as a way to highlight family literacy. Dia is recognized as an annual celebration of children's literature, language, and cultural diversity.

I'm trying to brainstorm a craft to do with my kids the week before the celebration. Here are some of the ideas I found:

Mexican Ponchos
(Photos courtesy of Deep Space Sparkle)




I am also considering the idea of making a pinata (pardon the lack of tilde on the "n...") but I'm wondering how hard paper mache would be for a group of 5-7 year olds? I guess I can give it a college try and see how it goes! ;)

My inspiration for this project comes not only from dia de los ninos / dia de los libros, but also from a new book I found that I would love to read:



I'll add this to my list of books to read throughout my practicum project that I am doing this quarter, which is largely based upon working with Latino families and children in the library. Perfect!

Books I'm Excited About...

SPRING BREAK PLEASURE READING...

{11.4.2010}

Last spring, I took a literature and literacy course that piqued my interest in working with second-language learners using bilingual picture books. After doing a lot of research on the topic, I came across an article that I feel truly says it all about the incredible power of bilingual children’s literature paired with culturally-relevant drawings and illustrations. Bilingual picture books have the power to promote linguistic and cultural awareness and visual literacy, and help to grow discussions between children and their teachers about written stories and their visual representations.

The article, written by Northern Illinois University professor Chris Liska Carger, is available via the following link:

http://www.indiana.edu/~icp/online%20articles/carger.pdf

Carger makes the connection between the importance of reading aloud to students and the potential of sharing culturally pertinent stories and artwork. Carger discusses his research project in a southwestern Chicago school, where over ninety-percent of the students are of Latino descent, and the impact of using bilingual picture books to inspire discussions about culture amongst the students. Building upon the basics of an elementary art curriculum—the principles of art and design, as well as how art “makes us feel”—Carger creates an environment where children can reflect upon written and visual narratives and develop a sense of personal meaning and self-awareness. This fantastic article reaffirms the notion that bilingual literature has enormous potential to further the literacy development of second language learners and, when bilingual text is paired with quality representations of culture, children gain a greater artistic awareness and imagination.

Un montón de gracias...

{12.14.2010}

I like to reserve this blog for reviews of bilingual and multicultural children’s literature that I find inspiring, but tonight I am going to make an exception. I’ve had quite the experience these past 12 weeks and I’d like to post a few thoughts here.
Since the end of August, I have been an assistant at the Community Learning Plaza at the Woodbury Branch of the Denver Public Library. Two nights per week, I show up and help adults (mostly Spanish speakers) find jobs, use the internet, and practice English skills. I’ve come to know them, their children, and quite a lot about their lives.

Before I go too far, let me preface the rest of my post with this: The Woodbury Library is where my adventure in libraries began; if it hadn’t been for that little library, I may have never attended library school. In 2008 I began volunteering there, at a point in my life when I was eager to practice my Spanish skills and use my degree in Spanish literature. Two years later, I find myself on the verge of finishing my degree in Library Science. I’ve been able to do and learn so much thanks to Woodbury and the amazing people I’ve met and worked with there.

I have only been able to help out on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for an hour or two at a time. But these have been the best hours of my week. I spend time with the kids who come in with their parents, sometimes helping them with their homework (if I’m lucky) or watching as they play games and use the early learning stations. Their parents are mostly Spanish speaking immigrants who come to the library to learn new skills; they do this in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families.
I have been blessed to have had the experience to work with these amazing individuals, who come to the library despite their economic status or language abilities, to learn and to become members of their local library community. It is truly amazing to see the hope and joy in the eyes of someone who succeeds at learning English, applying for citizenship, or learning how to use the library.

I am deeply grateful for this experience, and I will never forget the people I have met at Woodbury. Un montón de gracias a todos…I will never forget you.