[Reforma_or] Bilingual librarians help to State Library of Oregon

[Marci Jenkins]

Hello Reformistas,

I've contacted Tamara Ottum from State Library of Oregon studying a possibility of extending Answerland to our Hispanic patrons. Tamara promptly replied me and explained the situation as you can read on the thread below.

Tamara needs support from bilingual librarians in Oregon who may be willing and able to help staff chat, she can set accounts, provide training and develop a schedule for the ones are willing to help.

I'm in (as soon as I received the OK from my supervisor! :)) Can I count with you? Most of us are working from home and this can be an awesome project to present to your supervisors and library director as part of your telecommuting tasks.
This is a crucial time when people within our communities are in need of reliable information in Spanish.

Thank you all and special thanks to Adam Carlson that sent me the Answerland suggestion!

Saludos,

Marci Ramiro-Jenkins
Reference Librarian/Latinx Outreach Coordinator
971-217-3628 (cell)
[cid:image003.jpg at 01D602B4.6435BAE0]
"Listening to justified anger from the oppressed even when it triggers fragility in yourself.
Is just as important as the vote you cast. Sit with that discomfort. It's growth"- Red Horn Woman






From: Tamara Ottum [mailto:tamara.ottum at state.or.us]
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 2:26 PM
To: Marci Jenkins <Marci.Jenkins at mcminnvilleoregon.gov>
Cc: Ross Fuqua <Ross.Fuqua at state.or.us>
Subject: RE: Question about Answerland


This message originated outside of the City of McMinnville.

________________________________
Hi Marci,

Good question! I was talking to Ross about this a month or so ago.

I think the short answer is, no, there isn't anything currently in place. Here's why... we did have a Spanish chat queue through our 24/7 global cooperative, but they are currently in the middle of a 6-month platform transition and as the service is being migrated certain services are in limbo. Unfortunately the Spanish queue seems to be one of them. I have a few unanswered support tickets that I will follow up on right now to find out the status of this service.

In the meantime, however, I will put out a call to the Answerland community and see if anyone currently staffing is bilingual and can help out.

I'm also wondering if you know of a good way to contact other bilingual librarians in Oregon who may be willing and able to help staff chat. I can easily set up accounts, do a quick training, and coordinate a schedule.

Just throwing out thoughts, let me know what you think!
-Tamara

Tamara Ottum
(she/her)
Answerland Coordinator
answerland.org<https://answerland.org>
State Library of Oregon | Library Support & Development Services
tamara.ottum at state.or.us<mailto:tamara.ottum at state.or.us> | 503-378-6506<tel:%20(503)%20378-6506> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>


From: Marci Jenkins [mailto:Marci.Jenkins at mcminnvilleoregon.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 2:02 PM
To: Tamara Ottum <TamaraOttum at oslmail.osl.state.or.us<mailto:TamaraOttum at oslmail.osl.state.or.us>>
Cc: Ross Fuqua <RossFuqua at oslmail.osl.state.or.us<mailto:RossFuqua at oslmail.osl.state.or.us>>
Subject: Question about Answerland

Hi Tamara,

Based on the [Libs-Or] Information Request Tool email I sent earlier this morning, I received a question about the possibility to have a Spanish option at Answerland where we could easily direct our Hispanic patrons in case they need information in Spanish, especially during this awful time.

I created this very simple form https://forms.gle/tmAo15TVq5ahxMkZ9<https://forms.gle/tmAo15TVq5ahxMkZ9>  where my Hispanic patrons are submitting their questions regarding everything from COVID 19 measures to where they can find a low cost photocopy service in town.

At first, the form was directed to Yamhill County patrons but other colleagues are contacting me in hopes I can accommodate their patrons as well.

I Cc Ross in this email because he has been in contact with librarians that serve the Latino communities in Oregon, brainstorming with us on EDI best practices to implement.

Is there anything we can do to insert a Spanish option to Answerland? Do we have Answerland bilingual librarians?

Thanks,


Marci Ramiro-Jenkins
Reference Librarian/Latinx Outreach Coordinator
971-217-3628 (cell)
[cid:image002.jpg at 01D602B0.DEA0FB40]
"Listening to justified anger from the oppressed even when it triggers fragility in yourself.
Is just as important as the vote you cast. Sit with that discomfort. It's growth"- Red Horn Woman




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