OLA Conference 2018

UPDATE 4/6/18: This preconference has been RESCHEDULED as a regular conference session, allowing more attendees to take part. Check it out on Thursday, April 19, at 11:00am!

But I don’t speak Spanish!
But the Guadalajara Book Fair seems so overwhelmingly huge!
But I can’t afford the staff time to go!
But I don’t even know where to start!

The Guadalajara Book Fair (FIL) remains the richest source of culturally relevant, Spanish-language books to help us serve our many Latino/Hispanic patrons. With the launch of “Libros for Oregon: Collections Connect Communities,” Oregon’s public libraries will have a new resource to help them tap the resources of the FIL. The goal of this LSTA-funded project is for Spanish-speaking Oregonians statewide -- especially in rural areas -- to have improved access to high quality, culturally relevant collections. The project's three parts are:

(1) form a book-buying cooperative to buy FIL materials for members;
(2) help participating libraries develop/implement outreach plans;
(3) create and publish a “Best of FIL” booklist, annotated to show US availability.

Deborah Gitlitz, who administers the grant, and a panel including members of this year’s test consortium, will report on the results of the two-year project and explain how it will continue; tell stories about the gargantuan FIL; answer questions; and explain how your library might apply to participate in future years.