Presentation Title: No Nos Que Demos Atrás: Bridging the Emerging Technologies Gap Within the Latinx Community.
Presenter(s): Natali Carmona Guzman
Abstract: The Latinx community is one of the fastest-growing minority communities in the United States. As immigration increases, information institutions must be conscious of the community’s cultural and socioeconomic background. Currently, in the United States, Latinx individuals are at an all-time low in digital literacy compared to other minority groups. Latinx households are less likely to adopt emerging technologies, which causes digital inequalities in the community. If the community cannot adopt technologies, they will not be able to participate in the modern information-based society. For my presentation, I will be presenting my findings from my INFO 200 information community project. My project aimed to find how the Latinx community seeks information using The Everyday Life-Information Seeking Theory (ELIS). When I began reading the literature, I realized how many technology inequalities the Latinx community faced. My presentation will focus on current issues and ways information professionals can help bridge the technology gap.
Link to Recorded Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kz7t_odPhKG8MoOUqsYhZNU81GXlaFKy/view?usp=sharing
Natali, I enjoyed watching your presentation and learning how librarians can help bridge gaps between emerging technology and the Latinx community. I loved your point that getting to know patrons can go a long way in building trust. Thank you for sharing your research!
Hi Joy, Thank you so much for your comment. It’s essential to bridge the gap in the community, especially if Latinx folks want to participate in a modern-day information society.
Natali, thank you for sharing this presentation! I appreciated learning about the importance of family in the Latinx community specifically when it comes to libraries and library services.
Hi Irene, Thank you for your comment. I am glad you learned something about the Latinx community. It is crucial for LIS professionals to be educated on other minority communities to better serve them.
Great presentation Natali! I especially like your points about bilingual outreach and programming in libraries, as well as the presentation title. Thank you!
Hi Allison,
Thank you so much. I always want to incorporate the Spanish language into my presentation. Representation is important.
Well done Natali! I expect there will be great strides made bridging this gap when libraries are in the hands of future leaders like you!
Hi Bethany,
Thank you for your comment. I hope to continue to lead projects for the community! I am passionate about serving the Latinx population.
Hi Natali, thank you for your presentation and LIS insights into the Latinx community! INFO 200 was one of my favorite courses, because it provided the opportunity to dive deep into a specific information community and develop a thorough understanding of their information seeking behaviors and information needs. As an academic technologist at a Hispanic-Serving Institution, your presentation has some important takeaways for me in how these users search for information and use technology, and how I can better reach out to and assist them! Thank you!
Hi Ashley,
Thank you so much for your comment. It means a lot that you will take my advice moving forward. I am passionate about serving Latinx students/library patrons. It is crucial for us, as LIS professionals, to assist the community in bridging the gap in emerging technologies. When I worked at a university library, I worked with a program (CSU Affordable Learning Solutions), where I helped first-generation low-income students learn how to find more affordable textbooks and even technology options. I found that many students did not know the resources provided by the library and just assumed the library was for studying. Community outreach is essential!