Tours & Pre-Conference Sessions
All pre-conference sessions and tours require a paid ticket unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, September 18
Tours | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Explore the REFORMA Archives and uncover Chicano history in Los Angeles. Begin at the REFORMA archives at California State University, Los Angeles, to learn about the organization's role in preserving and advocating for Latino library services. Then, visit the Chicano Resource Center at the East Los Angeles Library, a vital hub for research on Chicano heritage and activism. In between, enjoy lunch at Mercado Paloma, a vibrant community space featuring diverse cuisines, including Holbox, a Michelin-starred restaurant. Participants cover their own meal costs. Round-trip transportation from the Hyatt is included.
Please note that this tour involves a moderate amount of walking, some uneven surfaces, and some areas may have limited seating. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. If you have mobility concerns, email us in advance for accommodations at registration@reforma.org.
Capacity - 55
$40
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Explore the rich history of the City of Angels with a tour of its most iconic sites. Visit the Los Angeles Central Library ahead of its centennial and uncover its treasures in the Rare Books Room. Enjoy lunch (participants pay for their own meal) at Grand Central Market, capture Instagram-worthy moments at The Last Bookstore, and conclude your journey at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument—the city’s birthplace—where the vibrant atmosphere evokes the charm of a Mexican pueblo mágico in the heart of Downtown LA. Round-trip transportation from the Hyatt is included.
Please note that this tour involves a moderate amount of walking, some uneven surfaces, and some areas may have limited seating. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. If you have mobility concerns, email us in advance for accommodations at registration@reforma.org.
Capacity: 55
$40
Pre-conference sessions are extended programs that allow for a deep dive into a specific topic, blending presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities. Designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the subject, this format includes expert-led segments, collaborative group work, and practical exercises. Attendees will have ample opportunities to engage with presenters and peers, ask questions, and gain actionable insights.
Pre-Conference | Morning Sessions 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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This workshop is to equip library personnel to develop their inclusive awareness around workplace behaviors in order to work more effectively across cultures. This workshop has the following overall learning outcome: Increased self-awareness (EI) of the impact of culture upon one’s roles, understanding of how implicit bias is a part of our everyday life, examine the relationship between bias and microaggressions and the damage it may cause when it comes to workplace behaviors, explore effective inclusive interactions and practices for demonstrating positive responses within the workplace.
Presenter: Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran, San Jose State University
Capacity: 50
$40
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This interactive pre-conference workshop is designed to provide library workers who deliver bilingual storytime with a theoretical foundation and an easy-to-follow framework for their programs, as well as teach participants original translations of songs and rhymes.
Presenter: Mr. Sheridan Cazarez, Los Angeles Public Library
Capacity: 50
$40
Pre-Conference | Afternoon Sessions 1 - 4 p.m.
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This pre-conference program will be presented in two parts of 90 minutes each. The first part introduces the basics of Hispanic genealogy and family history, including how to start a family tree, why Hispanics have two last names, and the importance of civil and church records, and more. The second part explores additional repositories to add depth to a family tree by researching family history in court, military, newspaper archives, and more. This type of research is the starting point for writing family narratives and biographical sketches that go beyond family trees.
Presenter: Nicolás Cabrera, Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Public Library
Capacity:50
$40
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The Pura Belpré Book Evaluation Seminar is an essential three-hour training session tailored for REFORMA members committed to or interested in serving on the Pura Belpré Award Selection Committee. This seminar specifically targets individuals who are new to award selection committees or have limited evaluation experience. It effectively connects these members with seasoned chairs and past members of Belpré selection committees. The purpose is clear: to create an impactful environment for training and mentorship in group processes and evaluation techniques vital to book awards selections and more specifically the Pura Belpré Award criteria. Throughout the seminar, attendees will delve into the crucial elements of cultural authenticity, first-person narratives, and literary excellence in the context of the Belpré selection process. Experienced presenters and speakers who have served on past committees will lead the discussions. The seminar will conclude with participants engaging in dynamic, seminar-style evaluative book discussions, guided by knowledgeable members. By the end, participants will acquire invaluable skills in book evaluation and the critical experience necessary to serve on the Pura Belpré Award Selection Committee.
Presenters: Jenny Lizarraga, CAYASC Chair; Dr. Alicia K. Long, University of South Florida; and Lucia Gonzalez, In Other Words Library Consulting.
Capacity: 50
FREE
