WTOP is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. All this month, discover stories from the diverse Latino communities in the D.C. region, here at WTOP.com and on air at 103.5 FM.
Gone are the days of librarians in cardigans scolding visitors by shushing them.
Today’s libraries are taking advantage of technology — specifically social media — to let visitors know that there are quiet study spaces, but there are also meeting rooms and author talks. At the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in the District, there are places and spaces to learn about go-go music, D.C.’s punk scene, how to become a podcaster and Hispanic history.
Diego Garces is the social media specialist for the D.C. Public Library system who has enjoyed introducing Spanish into the social media posts for libraries, and is really enjoying creating new posts for Hispanic Heritage Month.
“I might not be American by birth, but I am by choice,” Garces said.
“As a Latino, I am so proud of my culture, my people,” but “we are going through some hard times, and this is a time to represent us and who we are,” he said.
Garces is the one at the MLK Library who comes up with the ideas for video vignettes that may spotlight a card catalog from the Library of Congress, where visitors can scan QR codes to learn about the LOC’s collections, or simply take advantage of trends like making videos where staff members appear to fall through trap doors, or slowly sink behind a library desk as if they’re on an invisible elevator.
“I love social media, I’ve done social media, and I love libraries,” said Garces, describing how he landed the job as social media mastermind for DCPL. Going for the job, he said, “Is one of the best decisions I’ve made in D.C.”
Since including Hispanic cultural references and Spanish language into the posts, Garces said he’s been asked if there will be more to come. “That tells me that content needs to be done, so we can represent the community that we serve, too.”
In one post, staff members get new Spanish names, with references to popular telenovelas, and practice their new Spanish vocabulary. Commenters have taken note, congratulating the social media team on the use of themes from particular telenovelas.
In another, Garces lip-syncs to the voice of Cuban American attorney Ana Maria Polo, the Spanish-language equivalent to Judge Judy, and declares that everyone must speak Spanish in the library. That also got positive responses.
Garces was asked how staffers feel about starring in the video posts. “At first, I got a lot of pushback,” Garces said. “I completely understand. You’re on camera, you could go viral, and a lot of people don’t want that attention.”
But over time, many have come to look forward to the chance to join in on creating fun, informative posts designed to show all the things that the District’s libraries have to offer.
“Staff are asking me, can I be in your next video?” Garces said.
Tasneem, a children’s librarian at the MLK library, said, “I like to be in the videos, but then when the camera starts, I don’t know what to do,” she said. “Some of us are naturals, I am not one of the naturals.”
“I’m always glad to help Diego. I mean, he’s a good partner in all of our programming, and social media is a really fun part of our service and our programming right now,” David Quick, the MLK Library’s adult services coordinator said.
Quick said followers find they can minimize their fear of missing out on events they might not otherwise hear about by following the social media posts.
“Even if you didn’t make it to ‘that thing’, those things are happening here, and you’re going to keep an eye on what we’re doing here. I see that as one of the big values for our social media,” Quick said.
Part of the power of social media is the immediacy of responding to trends and Garces and Quick were asked if they’ve ever had a post backfire.
Garces said there are times when they “might be pushing buttons,” but “we look at it and say how can we adjust it so it’s safe content for our channels?”
The only one that got a little pushback, but most of it in a playful tone, was the post that showed off the very 20th century card catalog from the Library of Congress.
Quick explained they used the word “historic” in referring to it, and heard plenty from people of a certain age.
“I’m in my late 40s and like, I remember using these when I was a kid,” he said. “We can all decide what historic means,” but “I think some people took exception to that — but in a fun way.”
Garces said what he really loves is to see staff members enjoying starring in the videos, and the public reaction that often follows.
“Each role in the library is important and I love when the staff get recognized for what they do. They get a kick out of it, and say, ‘Hey, somebody came to the library because they saw our video,'” he said.
Garces came to the United States from Colombia as a little boy, and recalled having to overcome a language barrier, and being teased because of his accent.
“Honestly, I get emotional when I start talking about this, because it’s been a long journey, but that journey has taught me that anything is possible in this country.”
And looking back at that child that didn’t fit in right away, but who has come to embrace his heritage and his accent, Garces said if he were to speak to his younger self, he would say, “I am so proud of him, and I tell him, keep going, si se puede,” which in English means, yes you can.
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