Running head: Diverse Communities Reflection 1

Diverse Communities Reflection

Rebecca Smoot

Towson University
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Introduction

When considering an article to reflect and summarize, immediately I was drawn by both

title and author to “Developing Cultural Competence and a Better Understanding of Latino

Language and Culture through Literature: What a Latino Author Tells Us” by Patricia Montiel

Overall (2014). Having myself a Latino background as a first-generation Nicaraguan in addition

to working as a classroom teacher in an over 80% diverse Latino school population proves this

article would identify best practices and resources for literacy in children. Montiel Overall was

familiar as I recognize her other works with regards to collaborative practices between classroom

teachers and School Library Media Specialists (SLMS) which also guided in my reflection of thi

article.

Summary

Patricia Montiel Overall (2014), in her article “Developing Cultural Competence and a

Better Understanding of Latino Language and Culture through Literature: What a Latino Author

Tells Us” discusses how using literacy is the responsibility of librarians ensuring the formation

of lifelong diverse learners by creating an atmosphere that is culturally aware. She states that

Spanish speaking youth account for much of the youth population (29, Montiel Overall) which

supports her theory on using literature from authors of various experiences to ensure library use

from countless ethnicities. Authors that write to share their personal stories with regards to

American assimilation and infusing multiple languages broaden one’s perspective, specifically

within the Latino community such as works by René Colato. Within the article, Montiel Overall

(2014) explores common themes found in Colato’s works such as the story of an immigrant

coming of age in another country and “leaving family, language, and culture” (29, Montiel

Overall). It is these personal stories that Colato hopes his work convey a literate climate
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amongst Latino communities. Through literature, people become familiar with not only cultural

difference, but more importantly, the cultural similarities (28, Montiel Overall).

Reflection

The idea Montiel Overall (2014) presents is to inform librarians to know who they are

serving to meet the needs of patrons of diverse backgrounds. To meet the needs of Latino

children, librarians need to supply literature with mixed languages and personal stories (27,

Montiel Overall). The use of literature to understand other cultures help all library users and

workers to respect differences and broaden cultural perspectives, therefore guaranteeing lifelong

readers (31, Montiel Overall).

This directly connects to the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA)

“Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Service Providers” as this

guides the cultural climate of interactions between librarian and patron the same way Montiel

Overall testifies the impact a librarian has on patrons. One example stated in the article reflects

on a personal experience the author Colato had that inspired him to write “The Tooth Fairy

Meets El Ratón Pérez” (28). It is in this real-life occurrence where Colato was given an

assignment and the teacher editing his work did not recognize “El Ratón Pérez” as a traditional

Latino story of what happens to children’s teeth. The teacher changed “El Ratón Pérez” to “The

Tooth Fairy” in every part, assuming it was what Colato meant. Colato found no answer to this

“Tooth Fairy”, not even in the dictionary. I agree fully with this article because it is relevant in

the sense that we must be aware of cultural differences and never make assumptions. It is the role

of SLMS to promote and serve patrons by having the literacy resources that children can connect

to through cultural experiences as well as being opening cultural boundaries and becoming

culturally competent (30, Montiel Overall). By viewing cultural differences as a gift to

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communities, SLMS can guide lifelong patrons. Montiel Overall could have explored more on

the topic of the diversity within the Latino culture, as Latino encompasses a broad range of

cultures and various countries as well as experiences as an immigrant versus following

generations of immigrants. How do we as librarians help in identifying the most effective

practice in establishing literacy in low income Latino communities?

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References

Guidelines for behavioral performance of reference and information services professionals.

(2003). Reference and User Services Association. American Library Association.

Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/rusa/resources/guidelines/guidelinesbehavioral

Montiel Overall, P. (2014). Developing Cultural Competence and a Better Understanding of

Latino Language and Culture through Literature. Children & Libraries: The Journal Of

The Association For Library Service To Children, 12(2), 27-31.