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Program Agenda

3:30-3:35 Opening remarks

Alexandra Gomez, REFORMA NE Vice President/President Elect 2015-2017

3:35-3:45 History & Mission - Professional Development Award

Miguel García-Colón, Branch Manager of Greenwich Library, CT

3:45-3:55 Ismael Alicea's work and achievements

Susan Paredes, Chair of Professional Development Award Committee,

Assistant Community Library Manager, Queens Library

3:55-4:00 Presentation of 2016 Professional Development Award

Susan Paredes, Chair of Professional Development Award Committee

4:00-4:05 Plaque presentation to the Alicea Family

Maggie Alicea, Ismael Alicea’s daughter

Mary Marques, President REFORMA NE Chapter

4:05-4:20 Refreshments

4:20-5:20 Librarians’ acknowledgements

Yolanda Bonitch, Brigid Cahalan, Mario Gonzalez, Harriet Gottfried, Carmen Rivera, Linda Caycedo, Ken English, Miguel García-Colón, Michael Alvarez, Venesa Alicea, and Bosiljka Stevanovic.

5:20-5:30 Closing remarks

Alexandra Gomez, REFORMA NE Vice President/President Elect 2015-2017

National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking

Connecticut - Massachusetts - New Jersey - New York-Pennsylvania - Rhode Island

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http://www.reformanortheast.org/ismael-alicea-professional-development-award.html

RNE created the award to:

Increase REFORMA Northeast Chapter presence at the ALA annual conference
Increase professional development
Encourage interest and continued active participation in the REFORMA Northeast Chapter
Increase benefits of being an active member of the REFORMA Northeast Chapter

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Ismael Alicea Worked at the New York Public Library for 36 years until his retirement in 2009. Graduated from John Jay College with a Bachelor of Science degree Obtained his Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at Pratt Institute. Fluent Spanish Speaker and a poetry lover with a special interest in Puerto Rican literature and a passion for outreach services. Appointed Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Community Outreach Services, in 1998, where he developed programs and services for the underserved, including speakers of other languages, adult new readers, job seekers, homeless, and the homebound. Well-known for his professionalism: profound knowledge of the profession and dedication. Long-time member of the REFORMA Northeast Chapter and one of the founding members. Awarded REFORMA Northeast Chapter’s Pura Belpré Librarian of the Year Award in 2009 for his achievements working to improve library and information services to the Latino and the Spanish speaking community. The REFORMA Northeast Chapter renamed the Professional Development Award in his honor on May 1st, 2015. Married to his beloved wife Susan Alicea and had three children, Steven, Maggie and Danny and three grandchildren: Olivia, Jeffrey Jr. and Sophia.

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2016 AWARD WINNER

Mary Marques works as a multi-lingual reference librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP), United States. She serves on the Free Library’s New American Committee since 2010, and as REFORMA Northeast Vice President/ President elected for 2014-2016 period. In addition, she supports REFORMA NE as the Chair of the Communication/Media Committee and Joint-Mini Conference; in the past, she served as the State Coordinator for Pennsylvania from 2010-2015. Mary holds a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from Clarion University, and a second Master's Degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies from La Salle University, United States, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Science, Journalism, from Inca Garcilaso de la Vega University, Peru. Mary is passionate about diversity, culture awareness and cross-cultural communication in libraries. Some of her blogs posting, as a volunteer, are in the IFLA, New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG) webpage. She loves to travel and to learn about other cultures and traditions. Also, she adores capturing special moments with her creative photography and enjoys being in contact with nature throughout practicing road biking with her husband. If you would like to contact her, please write to marquesm@freelibrary.org.

Mary Marques

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Officers 2015-2016:

President

Mary Marques, PA

Vice President

Alexandra Gomez, NY

Secretary

Tess Tobin, NY

Treasurer

Manuel Figueroa, NY

Ismael Alicea Professional Development Award Committee:

Chair

Susan Paredes, NY

Members

Elizabeth Garcia, NY

Miguel Garcia-Colon, CT

Thank You! Special Thanks to the Award Ceremony Event (ACE) Team for their generous commitment and support in planning this event: Adriana Blancarte-Hayward Yolanda Bonitch Brigid Cahalan Linda Caycedo Alexandra Gomez Mary Marques Libbhy Romero Tess Tobin and The New York Public Library

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