This page presents an accumulation of resources that we have found useful over the years. It includes everything from traveling in Nicaragua to some of our favorite Spanish language publishers.
Nicaragua Travel
The books listed below can help you prepare for your time volunteering at libraries in Nicaragua. Be sure you choose a current edition!
Moon Guides – Nicaragua (2018 Edition)
Lonely Planet –Nicaragua (2019 Edition)
Global Librarianship
Many of these are old but not outdated and no new editions are available. Second-hand copies work well and are more reasonably priced on Amazon.
Alire, Camila and Jacqueline Ayala. 2007. Serving Latino Communities. Neal-Schuman Publishers. (Available on Amazon.)
Borrego, Diana and Ana-Elba Pavon. 2003. 25 Latino Craft Projects. ALA Editions. (Available on Amazon.)
Byrd, Susannah Mississippi. 2005. Bienvenidos! Welcome! A Handy Resource Guide for Marketing Your Library to Latinos. ALA Editions. (Available on Amazon.).
Moller, Sharon Chickering. 2001. Library Service to Spanish Speaking Patrons: A Practical Guide. Libraries Unlimited. (Available on Amazon.)
Wadham, Tim. 2006 Libros Esenciales/Essential Books: Building, Marketing, and Programming a Core Collection of Spanish Language Children’s Materials. Neal-Schuman Publishers. (Available on Amazon.)
Web Resources and Book Publishers
Arte Público Press Piñata series and their young adult and adult mysteries are great.
Better World Books Excellent used book reseller, inexpensive. Search under Spanish / Español.
Firstbook Marketplace Open only to nonprofit organizations. Very low priced books and educational materials and free series of resources for most books. Some book bank opportunities. Pay shipping only.
Lee and Low Books Resource for multicultural books for children.
Lerner Publishing Group Excellent source of bilingual knowledge books.
Lectorum Resource for Spanish and bilingual books for children and adults.
Libros para Niños Nicaraguan publishers that have great quality excellent culturally appropriate material from national authors and illustrators including Ernesto Cardenal and Sergio Ramirez.
Lorito Books Denver based bookseller. Excellent middle school titles in Spanish.
me+mi publishing inc. – Excellent resource for educational bilingual books. Great bilingual board book series.
Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. Now an imprint of the American Library Association. Excellent source for library services resource books.
Scholastic Children’s books and resources in Spanish-(check for local book fairs at US schools.)
Spanglish Baby Excellent resources & list of quality Spanish language publishers.
Star Bright Books Books in a variety of languages, excellent resource.
Thriftbooks.com Excellent used book reseller. Search under Spanish / Español. (Can also receive books to sell for organizations.)
Presentations
Teach Facts Using Fiction in the Classroom or the Library
Childhood Literacy Workshop in Granada Presentation
Collaboration Works (2022)
In the Time of COVID-19 Projects in Nicaragua (2021)
CALCON 2020: Show Me the Money
A panel representing past awardees of the ILCE-IG Grant and members of the ILCE-IG presented on the ILCE-IG grant on September 10 during the CALCON 2020 annual conference.
Program Description:
Are you inspired by international librarianship? Are you working on an international or multicultural project that could use a little boost? Since 2016, the International Library & Cultural Exchange-Interest Group (ILCE-IG) has awarded small grants that have helped fund projects such as first language children’s book publishing, conferences and workshops, exhibits, and multicultural festivals. Past awardees with projects in Africa, Central America, and within Colorado presented on their projects with focus on a successful application and the outcomes of their projects.
Fundraising
Best Fundraising Advice for Libraries. Fundraising Ideas for Libraries at The Storytelling Non-profit.
Library Fundraising Ideas for Schools & Public Libraries at DoJiggy. Herring, Mark Y. 2004.
Raising Funds with Friends Groups. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. (Available on Amazon.)
Reed, Sally. 2004. 101+ Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends. Friends of Libraries U.S.A.
Supply Houses
These supply companies take only orders shipped to the US.
Brodart High Quality library supplies /supplier of book repair kits (offers free repair booklets in Spanish) often offers free US Shipping.
Demco High quality library supplies inc. Book bags.
Oriental Trading Company: Best supplier of craft kits and materials also inexpensive school supplies/school bag/backpacks.
Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara– (Mexico)
Largest Spanish book fair. Good prices but shipping is high; suitcases are best.
ALA Annual Conferences – librarians and library directors. Excellent trade floor.
Affiliates
ALA (American Library Association) See ALA Annual Convention at this link,
International Relations Round Table (IRRT)
International Sustainable Library Development (ISLD)
Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners of America
Puedo Leer Library, Granada, Nicaragua