Our 2018 Guatemala Service Trip Team

Meet our team members and learn what they are most excited about for this year’s service trip!

Collection Development:
Our collection development team will be taking an inventory of the collection and cataloguing, processing, and adding new items to the library at Asturias.

Kiri Wagstaff
Research scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California
I am thrilled to get the chance to learn about libraries in another country and also to practice (and improve) my Spanish skills. This is an exceptional opportunity to learn a lot and also make a real impact!

Carol Hull
Inclusive Services Consultant, South Carolina State Library
I have never traveled outside the U.S. before, so I am very excited to experience another culture and be immersed in the Spanish language. I am particularly looking forward to seeing the libraries in Guatemala.

Judy Senecal
Librarian, Carleton University Library, Canada
I am most excited about meeting the students at the school in Xela and seeing their reaction to all the new books we’re bringing! I’m also looking forward to discovering a new country and meeting and working with the other volunteers.

Allinston Saulsberry
MLIS Student, Archives Intern at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona
I am most excited about the mission of the Guatemala service trip. When asked, I’ve stated that being a “traveling librarian” would be my dream career. This trip will allow me to use the skills that I have acquired to service a library in another country. It doesn’t get more exciting than that.

Suzanne Fernando
Branch Head, Toronto Public Library, Canada
I went on the service trip in 2013 and it was an eye-opening experience. I’m really looking forward to getting to go again. I’m excited to see what’s changed in the last five years; to see the kids; to be immersed in the welcoming culture of the Guatemalan people. I’m also excited to visit the new site on Lake Atitlan. It’s neat to get to see a project you were a part of five years ago, again.

Joi Jackson
Librarian at Penn State University
Working with the kids! Also, I am excited to add to their collection. This will also be my first trip to Central America.

 

Programming Team:
Our programming team will be creating and running multi-day library programs for the students at Asturias.

Anabel Gutierrez
MLIS Student and Library Services Specialist at Cal State Fullerton: Pollak Library
I’m really excited about visiting another country that is part of Latin America. My goal is to eventually visit all Latin-American countries because I have a strong interest in this area of the world due to my undergraduate studies. I am most excited about working firsthand with the school children of Xela and making a positive impact on their lives.

Kate Procyshyn
Librarian, Boston Public Library
I am most excited to meet the other people on the trip, to travel to a foreign country while doing international library work, and to eat Guatemalan food.

Kate McMillen
MLIS student and Library Associate, Cambria Library, California
I am most excited about the service aspect of the trip and learning more about how libraries can support education around the world.

Ashley Spencer
Senior Library Assistant, Toronto Public Library, Canada
I’m excited to meet the children and staff and share some of my knowledge/ideas about programming and in turn learn from them. I’m also excited about learning about the Guatemalan culture, hearing the music and eating the food

Molly Roa
Senior Library Assistant, San Leandro Public Library; MLIS Candidate, SJSU
I’m most excited to learn from other library and education professionals from all across North and Central America.

Karen García (below) will also be part of the programming team.

 

Professional Development Team:
Our professional development team will be developing and running workshops for teachers supporting library integration into the school curriculum.

Debbie Chavez
Guatemala Program Lead
I’m excited to see the staff and children at the school again. They’re beautiful people and I love the warm welcome we always receive. I’m also excited to see the village where Don Jorge’s new school is located. I’m looking forward to visiting the community library in that village. I’ve read a lot about Riecken Community Libraries and corresponded with the director of those libraries in Guatemala, so I’m looking forward to seeing the library in action.

Karen García
MLIS Student and Technical Assistant at Palm Springs Public Library, Florida
I got excited to know that people care about my country and are willing to help create a better environment for Guatemalan children. I was thrilled to know that I could help too!