¿Cómo Se Dice? Spanish Conversation Hour

In this pilot program modeled on the work of our colleagues at the South Carolina State Library and Denver Public Library, New Jersey library staff are encouraged to join us for an opportunity to practice their library-related Spanish language skills! 

Join a native Spanish speaker from the NJ library community and up to 9 other library colleagues who will gather via Zoom to practice common vocabulary and phrases surrounding one of six library-related topics. We will spend one hour together via Zoom practicing our pronunciation and staging simple conversations. 

Program Details:

• Each session will last one hour and is limited to 15 participants.
• Registrants should be individuals with minimal or no Spanish proficiency who could enhance services to their community with improved Spanish skills.
• Registration will open for each session separately, and individuals must register for each session they wish to attend. Registration in one session does not guarantee a space in all sessions.
• Participants will be asked to speak aloud frequently throughout the session - a microphone and participation from a space that allows for the attendee to converse is required. A camera is encouraged. Participants should come ready to practice their Spanish aloud.

Session Topics, Dates, and Registration Schedule:

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. 
   
• Nelida Vazquez: Nelida Vazquez brings over 20 years of extensive experience in library services, with a focus on supporting and empowering predominantly Hispanic communities. Currently, Nelida is the Teen Librarian at the Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Branch in Camden City. Nelida’s career began at the Free Library of Philadelphia, where she worked as a bilingual Books Aloud! outreach specialist. In this role, she was instrumental in training daycare providers on the importance of bilingual storytime.

  A proud Latina, Nelida is passionate about celebrating Hispanic culture and fostering cross-cultural understanding. She is deeply committed to helping others learn Spanish, believing that language is a bridge to connection and community.

Meet Our Support Team

• Cynthia Becker: Cynthia Becker 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.