One Foot in Front of the Other

One Foot in Front of the Other

Between March and May 2014, I held a series of weekly planning meetings. Sometimes several people showed; a couple of times it was just me.

Besides Richard Soto and myself, several people met with us to discuss the idea of a bilingual library. I’m thankful to Bridget Childs, Research Attorney, who attended most meetings, has been very helpful providing insight, suggesting next steps and possibilities. I appreciate Nathan Worth, Grant Writer, who initially got me to document our intentions in order to search for grants. Also agreeing with me that the “money is out there”. Happily thankful to Saul Mora, retired educator, his wife and also his son, all very supportive in our initial meeting in March. Immensely grateful to Debbie Hernandez, who though her support, lead to the Stockton Record article by Rodger Phillips that drummed up community support of which I am still receiving emails about today!

After taking time off during the early summer weeks we tried to start up our meetings again. For some reason or another we just couldn’t “get the ball rolling” again. It was during that lull in momentum that I stepped back to look at the big picture. I looked over the notes gathered from each meeting. Those notes had formed a basic business plan! After organizing all of our thoughts on paper, we created a business plan for our bilingual library and Latino museum. Our ideas had formed into focus and direction.

Support is Motivating

Support continues to grow for a bilingual library and museum in Stockton, CA. One of the first people, outside of my family, I shared my idea with was Stockton Councilmember Dyane Burgos-Medina of District 5. District 5 includes the Fair Oaks Neighborhood, the area of Stockton which desperately needs a library.
From that first day, as I excitedly shared my idea, to now having a written formidable plan, Dyane has been helpful, patient, and most of all encouraging.

Councilmember Dyane Burgos-Medina speaks to a crowd 

at the Put Stockton First Kick Off on February 1, 2014. 

Stepping out with an idea can be intimidating. During this process, there have been lulls, delays and set backs. But it's all a part of a learning process. Each pause was a moment to look at the successes and progress of other worthy causes in my community, such as Put Stockton First. These moments reassured me that all projects take time but I need to keep moving forward! 

Thank you Councilmember Dyane Burgos-Medina for your support and motivation! 

Planning and Puzzles

Planning a project is like working on a puzzle; you can only go so far with the pieces you have. Today's planning meeting began at the Stribley Park Community Center in Stockton, CA. Another step in the right direction, and another piece to our puzzle is set into place. Progress toward a bilingual library and museum continues!

This is the latest in a series of meetings held since April, 2014. We have the full support of our district area Councilwoman Dyane Burgos-Medina. We have a resourceful grant writer, Nathan Werth, committed to helping our project. We have direct support of several teachers, school administrators and businesses in this area not to mention the countless family and friends who have cheered on this process from the beginning.

I will post regular updates to our progress in the coming days. I admit maintaining a blog is a juggling act. I applaud all Bloggers out there for the work they do! It's not as easy as it looks.

"We Need Diverse Books!"

On May 1, 2014, we join the public call for action supporting diversity in Literature! We Need Diverse Books Tumblr blog gives you all the details how to announce from the hilltops - or your laptops - "We need diverse books!"

Many people & organizations promote diversity, bilingual, multi-cultural literature; it's exciting to see all come together to be a part of this campaign for the next 3 days as one voice. 

May 2, 2014 - Twitter chat is scheduled for 11pm (PST) using the #WeNeedDiverseBooks. Share your thoughts on diversity in literature and why it matters!

May 3, 2014 11am (PST) It's time to "Diversify Your Shelves"! This is to encourage you to buy diverse books! Hello! Let's work our purchasing power mi gente! Go out to bookstores, new or used and of course your local libraries, and ask for their favorite diversity picks! Talk to a librarian, they love answering questions! Trust me I know this.

We know diversity in literature matters in Stockton, CA. We want to see our children and adults reading, connecting with characters they can relate to and sparking interest. The positive outcomes are so obvious! Let's do our part to shout! shout! shout! "We need diverse books!"

Support near & far

No one will say a library is a bad idea. In fact, not 1 person would disagree with the effort to reopen the Fair Oaks Library. Here are 2 published articles, local & national, in our support; Stockton's local newspaper The Record and ELLA Institute's Latinas Think Big. The latter is a national platform "showcasing Latina innovation and ambition". Let's continue this momentum and ask our Stockton government to take the Fair Oaks Library off of the surplus list!

Book by book building your personal library

I know all too well the bilingual section at popular book stores, i.e. Barnes & Noble, is extremely small not to mention pricey. Please take a look below at a good list of Children & Teen Latino books under $10, in paperback and available now! These will encourage your young ones to start reading about characters & places they can relate to.

Where the Flame Trees Bloom by Alma Florada

The Queen of Water by Laura Resau

Brujas, Lechuzas y Esparitos by Alonso M Perales

Ice Dove and other stories by Diane De Anda

Benito Runs by Justine Fontes

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola

Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora

Winner Takes All by Jenna Santana

The Maldonado Miracle by Theodore Taylor

Cruzando de Pacifico by Gary Soto

Whole Sky Full of Stars by Rene Saldana Jr

Nerlandia by Gary Soto

Esparanda Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Long Shot by Mike Lupica

Any Small Goodness: A Novel of the Barrio by Tony Johnson

Abuelita’s Heart by Amy Cordova

These affordable books can be purchased online bookstores such as http://www.valorebooks.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/. 

Take a peek....

I was so excited to have a look inside the Fair Oaks Library building! My worst thoughts were all put to rest when I walked in and looked at the awesome condition this 9,900 sq ft building is still in. It seems to be quietly waiting for the day it can reopen its doors to families again.

Of Biblioteca San Joaquin Murrieta Library

After asking many questions among my family and friends, I was introduced to another person here in Stockton who also shares the idea of a bilingual library. Richard Soto, not only has an extraordinary collection of Latino Chicano historical books, but also valuable artifacts, music and movies. His long time vision is shared through his website - Biblioteca San Joaquin Murrieta Library

It is a wonderful learning experience working with Mr Soto. He explains the library name "Biblioteca San Joaquin Murrieta Library" is a play with words combining our County name "San Joaquin" and the historical figure "Joaquin Murrieta".

With his help, not only can we begin to build a bilingual library, we can also share our Latino history through art and music in a museum-like atmosphere.

I am grateful he has agreed to being a partner in reviving the Fair Oaks Library!

Abuelita Storytime

One of the ideas to incorporate into a bilingual library has to be Storytime! And who better to tell stories than a loving Abuelita? I get excited thinking how we can encourage the community to come together in this way. 

These past two weeks have been spent writing down an action plan, forming a business plan & gathering support. Step by step, a bilingual library & technology resource center will happen! 

Do you dream in Spanish?

When my mother told me she sometimes dreams in Spanish, I was jealous! Why I have never dreamt in Spanish?! I was reminded of her when I came across “Trilingual poems” video by ¡Colorín Colorado! with Francisco Alarcón, bilingual poet and author.

Youtube Video by ¡Colorín Colorado! For more information: http://www.colorincolorado.org/

Francisco Alarcón explains when writing "Snake Eyes", a unique collection of trilingual (Spanish, English, Nahuatl) poems, he found using these different languages allowed for better representation and expression.

How wonderful to go back and forth with various languages; in a dream or in thought!

"We want more! We want more!" Languages!

Thanks to ¡Colorín colorado! for the video, “Two Languages at a Time”. It has wonderful examples of how Ms. Gonsalves 2nd grade teacher at Webster Elementary, Long Beach, California, 'gives equal time to both her native English and native Spanish speakers.'

Youtube Video by ¡Colorín Colorado! For more information go to: http://www.colorincolorado.org/

Perfect example of how bilingualism is possible and should be encouraged at a young age. I love the example of helping a young girl understand the word dinosaur. Why not have the resources to help continue this learning outside of the classroom? This is the vision of Revive Fair Oaks Library!

Ask & you shall receive

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to share the Big Idea to several people at the Latina’s Think Big event at the Google Headquarters in LA. What a wonderful experience!

There’s a long list of follow ups and to-do’s to work on. I don’t want to, and certainly can’t, do this alone! Assembling a committed team is a crucial priority! Join the effort!

Friday Recap!

Researching bilingual libraries, bookstores and bookshops this week lead to more questions about the vision to revive Fair Oaks Library. What will it look like? What days & hours will it be open? What services will the community really want from their library & tech center? It's exciting to uncover the possibilities!
Take another look at 2 inspirational places >>

Mi Abuelita is better than your Grandma

Just kidding! But seriously, my grandmother speaks Spanish and English perfectly (she’s a stickler for grammar) and even a few German words here and there. According to Science News Jan 8, 2013 article “Cognitive Benefit of Lifelong Bilingualism” a report on a study by Brian T. Gold, PhD, and colleagues at the University Of Kentucky College Of Medicine. The study suggests seniors who have spoken two languages since childhood have stronger cognitive flexibility compared to their peers.

Discovery News has a great video on this topic.

Speak 2 languages for a healthier mind? Kind of a no-brainer huh?!

Searching for other bilingual bookstores...

Searching further, I came across another bilingual bookshop, Libros Schmibros, in Los Angeles, CA Boyle Heights neighborhood. I’m excited to make time to look around this wonderful place soon!

David Kipen, a former book critic for the San Francisco Chronicle and former director of national reading initiatives at the National Endowment for the Arts, opened Libros Schmibros in July, 2010.
David writes an interesting article on his bookshop here: www.jewishjournal.com/cover_story/article/bringing_books_to_boyle_heights_20110713/

I had to smile at his comment, “A year ago, on July 19 (2010), I opened Libros Schmibros to the public. Nobody knew what to make of it at first — not my family and friends, not my new neighbors, really not me either.” I feel this sentiment as well right now knowing a bilingual bookstore should exist here in Stockton but no exact details yet. And I’m excited by that thought. I have no details and therefore the canvas is clear; ready to be developed by the community it will serve.

It can be done because it has been done

What was once just a passing thought became a possibility when I read a Facebook post of La Casa Azul Bookstore in East Harlem, NY. After seeing numerous postings of activities, book club discussions, and workshops - wow, I was blown away! It was my first time really seeing a successful, active bilingual book store.

La Casa Azul Bookstore, owned by Aurora Anaya Cerda, opened on June 1, 2012. Among various awards and recognitions, recently she was honored by The White House as a Champion of Change. Various literary activities include book clubs, author signings, writer’s conferences and workshops to name a few.

www.lacasaazulbookstore.com

What's the "big idea"?

As a child, I remember frequently visiting the Fair Oaks Library in Stockton, CA in the early 80’s. I can remember many afternoons walking over to the library to read a book, listen to the storytellers or just play there with friends.

Located within East Stockton, it has been the only library available to families in this area. For many years, it served this needing community whose recent statistics scream out as one in need of valuable educational resources - Unemployment: 18%; Residents below the poverty level: 31%; Median resident age: 26; Males: 53.8%; Females: 46.2%; Percentage of people that speak English not well or not at all: 30.1%; Percentage of foreign born residents: 37.3%; Percentage of family households: 58.2%; Percentage of people 3 years and older in K-12 schools: 28.6%; Percentage of students K-12 enrolled in private schools: 32.2%. Percentage of people in undergraduate colleges: 6.6%; Percentage of people 3 years and older in Grad or professional schools: 2.1%.

Unfortunately it was closed in 2010, among many buildings in Stockton as our city began facing bankruptcy. Since then it has stood silent and boarded up. I have driven past this building many times nostalgic for the days people would make use of this wonderful place. I want to see our community revive it into a Bilingual Library & Technology Center. To offer books & various publications in Spanish & English, provide technology resources & become a place where we can build ourselves into a strong, educated community ready for the future. My next steps are to continue to connect with supporting partners, create community awareness and of course gather funding.