People of Latino origin now make up nearly 13% of the population in the United States. Sadly, it has been estimated that Latinos make up only 2.6% of librarians in the United States. The number of librarians representing other ethnic minorities are better but still not representative of the population. ALA has long recognized this shortfall and offers the Spectrum Scholarship to help recruit potential librarians of color.

REFORMA exists to represent not only Latino and Spanish speaking patrons but library workers too.  The national REFORMA organization also offers a scholarship.

At the last meeting, ideas came fast and furious.  We have a plethora of projects to tackle for the coming year! They are (in no particular order):

• Officially partnering with Kentucky Library Association.
• Participating in some capacity in the National Diversity in Libraries Conference to be held October 1-4, 2008 in Louisville, KY.
• Presenting a storytime and/or program at the Festival Latino in Lexington, KY in September 2008.
• Contributing to/participating in the Migrant Network Coalition Conference in Lexington,KY in October 2008. See the program for this year’s conference.
• Reaching out to libraries and librarians in Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.
• Spreading the word about El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros [Day of the Child/Day of the Book].