Our Latest Guatemala Program Assistant Report

By Vanessa Holm

This semester I was fortunate to be selected for an internship with Librarians Without Borders (LWB) as their International Program Assistant/Guatemala Intern. In this position I was responsible for supporting projects related to their newest partner, Limitless Horizons Ixil (LHI), and specifically the Saber Sin Limites Library in Chajul, Guatemala. I decided to apply for this internship in order to better develop an international perspective of librarianship.

The first project I worked on was the development of a guide to best practices for library programming. In order to do this I applied knowledge learned during my MLIS to the creation and analysis of various training models and then the selection of appropriate learning resources and services. This project involved researching literacy activities for children, as well as reading about how libraries around the world facilitate their storytimes, and also, doing research on culturally appropriate songs, crafts and activities for children in Chajul, Guatemala. From this research I created a report, as well as a PowerPoint presentation, for the librarians in Chajul.

The second project I worked on involved designing a library open house script, including literacy activities, for the Saber Sin Limites Library. In order to begin work on this project I started by meeting with Mark Gelsomino (LWB Co-Executive Director) to discuss library day at Asturias Academy in Guatemala. I then researched methods for improving pre-literacy and early literacy activities for youth as well as approaches to art and other creative activities for engaging pre-literate and literate youth in reading. Based on this research I created an overview, assessment, and recommendations for a dynamic Library Open House to take place at Saber Sin Limites Library.

The final project I worked on involved developing instructional materials and facilitating training for Guatemalan librarians. This included researching training and certification courses; the focus of this project was to do preliminary research on how LWB could deliver training remotely to partner libraries. I began by doing research on methods for improving pre-literacy and early literacy activities for youth and researching the pros/cons of various training models. I also surveyed how other nonprofits provide asynchronous and synchronous training remotely for international partners. From this research I developed a list of possible approaches that LWB could undertake which also included my general recommendations.

Overall, I had an excellent experience working with LWB. I hope that the work I did was relevant and useful to the organization, as well as their partner, LHI, the librarians at Saber Sin Limites, and most importantly, the community of Chajul.

*Guatemala photo and Limitless Horizons logo courtesy of Limitless Horizons Ixil.