Lucia Gonzalez: Latine Heritage Month in the Library

I’m using this month to remember how libraries have nurtured Latine authors, literacy leaders, and book creators. Lucia reminds us how important it is for children to find themselves in books and in our libraries.

Lucia M. Gonzalez was born in Caimito del Guayabal, Cuba and emigrated to the United States in 1970 at the age of 11.  Lucia received her BA from the University of CA. Santa Barbara and her MLIS from the University of South Florida, Tampa.  Lucia is a two-time recipient of the Pura Belpre Honor Medal for her books: The Bossy Gallito (Scholastic 1996), and The Storyteller’s Candle/La velita de los cuentos (Children’s Book Press 2009).  Her book Señor Cat’s Romance and Other Favorite Stories from Latin America, was an Américas’ Award Commended Title.  Lucia is also Past-President of REFORMA, two-time recipient of national Library Journal Movers & Shakers, and the 2021-2022 President of ALSC.

In 2022, Lucia retired from her position as Library Director from the City of North Miami Public Library and is now dedicating her time to playing with her grandchildren and her 18 cats, storytelling, writing, and volunteering.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucia_M._Gonzalez

MY FIRST LIBRARY CARD

I came from Cuba with my family on August 1, 1970.  We were refugees, part of a program called “The Freedom Flights” that brought nearly 300,000 Cuban refugees to the US during the years between 1965-1971.  I was 11 years old. 

We settled in the City of North Miami because that was where my aunt lived.  I was in the 7^th grade, and didn’t know a word of English.  I went from being the number one student in my class, while in Cuba, to getting big red “Fs” on my first report card in the United States. 

School became a nightmare.  There were no English as a Second Language programs (ESL) then, so my inability to communicate, my failing grades, and an extremely low score received in an IQ test (that I couldn’t read), landed me in what at the time was called “Special Ed classes”.   

One day, our class went on a field trip to the North Miami Public Library, situated directly across the street from the school.   The library was a big house surrounded by gardens.   The librarian welcomed the group.  She was an older lady with pointy glasses, grayish hair, and the kindest smile.  When she realized I didn’t speak English her face lit with such happiness.  I didn’t know why the lady was so happy, but her joy was contagious.  She took me by the hand, walked me to the children’s section, and pointed to a shelf where there was a row of books in Spanish.

On that day, I received my first library card.  Those books became my life-line. I read and re-read each and every one of those books on that shelf.  Taking those books home allowed me to escape the entrapment of those silent days when I could not communicate in English.  I will never forget the feeling of joy upon receiving that first library card!

In June of 2011, forty-one years later, I returned to the North Miami Public Library to serve as its director from 2011 to 2022. 

This month, the City of North Miami is holding the grand opening of a Tot-Lot built adjacent to the library that has my name. 

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