¿Cómo Se Dice? Spanish Basics for Library Staff

Join LibraryLinkNJ and your New Jersey library colleagues for a new twist on our  popular Spring 2025 "¿Cómo Se Dice?" series! 

On-Demand Learning
Visit LibraryLinkNJ's LearningSpace On-Demand Training Portal to access our brand-new series of recorded "¿Cómo Se Dice?" lessons. No registration is required; simply click below to visit our LearningSpace and complete the lessons at your own pace! 

• ¿Cómo Se Dice? On-Demand Module - Circulation

These lessons - brought to you by Spanish speakers and New Jersey library staffers Luisa Martucci and Yesenia Lopez with support from New Jersey librarian Cynthia Hutzel - are designed to help library staff understand and practice basic Spanish language skills for the library setting. With an introduction to the Spanish alphabet and pronunciation tips, helpful vocabulary for a variety of library situations, and sample conversations to help you get comfortable with basic discussions, each lesson is designed with library staff in mind! 

Our on-demand format means you can re-watch what isn't clear to you, skip what you don't need, and re-visit lessons for extra reinforcement whenever you like! Lessons are available to you 24/7, for a learning opportunity that fits your schedule! 

Live Practice
Want to take it a step further? Join us for live Spanish language practice! 

Luisa and Yesenia will join us on the final Thursday of each month at 11am for a one-hour Zoom where attendees can ask questions, practice pronunciation, engage in sample conversations, and improve their Spanish skills! 

Conversation Dates and Topics

• March 26, 2026; Circulation
• April 30, 2026; Programs and Events
• May 28, 2026; Reference
• June 25, 2026; Technology
• July 30, 2026; General Discussion

Meet Our Discussion Leaders

• Yesenia Lopez: Yesenia Lopez is the Director of the New Jersey Hispanic Research & Information Center at The Newark Public Library.  As Director, she is responsible for overseeing the daily activities of La Sala Hispanoamericana - the main service point for Spanish speaking patrons.  Additionally, she is responsible for coordinating Latino programs in English and Spanish.  She makes it a point to inform the Latino community that the Library is a welcoming, safe space for all - including Spanish dominant speakers.
   
• Luisa Martucci: Luisa Martucci is the Hispanic Outreach Coordinator at the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center. Prior to her current role, she served as an Art and Spanish Teacher in Trenton for several years. Having spent the last nine years living abroad, Luisa has developed a strong enthusiasm for connecting with diverse communities and enhancing the accessibility of library services for the Hispanic population. A native of Colombia, she earned her degree in Visual Arts from Universidad de Caldas, Colombia. 

Meet Our Support Team

• Cynthia Hutzel: Cynthia Hutzel is the program coordinator and children's librarian at Bradley Beach Public Library. Cynthia minored in Spanish and has been practicing Spanish for more than 20 years.
   
• Darby Malvey: Darby Malvey is currently the Programming & Outreach Manager at LibraryLinkNJ, but she began her career in Youth Services at the New Brunswick Free Public Library, where she quickly discovered the value of basic Spanish language conversation skills in serving the library's many Spanish-speaking patrons. Darby knows that a bit of effort (and a willingness to make mistakes out loud) goes a long way in making patrons feel more welcome and less anxious.