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Participant Testimonials
Testimonials
Estacada Public Library
"Estacada Public Library was one of the first LINCC libraries to receive these new materials. This growth in our Spanish language collection has allowed the library to offer more programs and classes this year such as Language Exchange/Intercambio de Idiomas and Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros. Thank you, Libros for Oregon!"
Alice Perez Ververa, Library Specialist III
Newport Public Library
Working with the LfO Committee was very easy. Their explanations to questions about the application were timely and concise.
It was like Christmas morning when our books arrived. Not knowing what the selection committee picked made opening each box a pleasure. Their selections were just what we were hoping for. They killed it with my specific request for cookbooks. The selection for children, young adult and adult books was fantastic!
The vendor’s packing slips all matched the boxes and every item on the packing list was in the correct box. The books all arrived in very good shape. I was a little worried about how much time it would take getting the books from Mexico to the vendor in Michigan and then to us. Not a problem. I would use this vendor for domestic purchases if I could.
— Ted Smith.
Grad student feedback, 2018 FIL
“I had so much fun at FIL! Everyone was so nice and the experience was worthwhile. I was a bit overwhelmed because it was so busy and a lot was going on, but Star was great at making sure we took breaks and checking in with us… and provided Jessica and I a list of items to bring to the trip that I found very helpful.”
Lia from Emporia
Lincoln city, Driftwood Public Library
Since our ribbon-cutting for our newly expanded Spanish language collection, we've seen a significant increase in circulation of Spanish materials -- in some collection areas, circulation has gone up by 100%! Not only did the purchases from FIL breathe new life into our collection, but monitoring the collection since their introduction has helped our selectors determine what subject areas and topics to continue to watch for and collect on an ongoing basis. We're thrilled to be part of the project and are already putting together our desired topics lists for next year!
— Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, MLIS, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
“Greetings from San Diego!
Thank you for your wonderful presentation of your excursions/experiences at FIL. I really appreciate the hard work you have done/are doing. I plan to discuss FIL and your model with my branch manager this Friday. I’m really thankful for the opportunity to attend [your session at] OLA 2018.”
— Itza Vilaboy, LIBROS Secretary, San Diego, CA
oregon city public library
-Libros for Oregon brings books that can't be bought through traditional ordering methods in the United States into communities throughout the state. Since Oregon’s Hispanic population is growing rapidly in many locations, it’s critical that local public libraries offer quality materials in readers’ first language.
-Libros for Oregon helps small libraries, rural libraries, and librarians without Spanish language knowledge add high quality, diverse books to their collections AND form better relationships with the Spanish-speaking communities in their service area.
-Going to FIL is not expensive if you have a knowledgeable staff member you can spare for a week, but acquiring the knowledge is not easy...especially if you don't speak Spanish well! By participating as a traveler through the program, librarians from medium-size libraries with limited Spanish language knowledge can learn the skills needed to be a FIL buyer. They can take this knowledge back to their local communities and use it to help develop long-term, sustainable plans to improve their Spanish language collections.
-Although going to FIL is not expensive, not every library can spare staff for a week. Libros for Oregon helps leverage Oregon libraries’ resources by providing access to a vast quantity of Spanish language materials through an organized program with skilled librarians who understand the needs of the libraries they are helping to purchase materials. This ‘getting the most bang for the buck’ is an effective use of taxpayer dollars and relieves pressure on under-staffed libraries as well.
— Maureen Cole, Library Director
CANBY LIBRARY
"Collaborating in LfO as one of the visionaries, thinkers, and as the website creator of the project/grant and a member of the LfO council has been an amazingly rewarding experience. I believe that having a great collection and outreach programming for Spanish-speakers should not be considered unthinkable or impossible for libraries that work with this target population. I know that for one person working alone the work is endless and overwhelming, but with the collaboration of all and a good practical plan, we can offer services that are within the best practices, eliminating the unthinkable. We are doing it!"
— Angelica Novoa de Cordeiro, Bilingual Services Specialist
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