Quick Summary
Latinx library professionals play a crucial role in creating environments that promote knowledge, community, and inclusion. To honor and highlight these individuals, we are sharing their stories. This week’s story comes from David Toledo, a Spanish-language programming assistant at the Northfield Public Library.
In his role as Spanish language programming assistant, David helps older members of his community develop computer skills and technological literacy. Do you have a Latinx library story to tell? Share it with us via our Google Form.
Does your Latinx heritage influence your work or perspective in the library field?
Yes, I believe it does. Seeing how I became the most technologically literate in my family, I grew up helping my mom and dad use the computer or their phones. Knowing this struggle, I felt like this job was an opportunity to help out others with the knowledge that I have and help make a difference.
How do you see your role in libraries impacting the Latinx community, and/or other underrepresented communities?
I hope that my role helps bring out more confidence in the older Latinx community by becoming more technologically literate and feeling secure enough to take risks regarding computers and electronics, in general, to learn more and become better acquainted with the world we are living in.
What would you like others to know about the importance of diversity and representation in libraries?
It is hard to find a place where you feel you belong, and having diverse activities, whether it be through bilingual events or full-on Spanish-orientated programs, helps promote the fact that everyone belongs here and there is always a place to keep learning. I believe that the library I am working at does an amazing job promoting this and I am happy to be a part of this community.
