At the recently held 2019 Reforma Northeast Mini-Conference, at the Langston Hughes Community Library in Queens, I was pleased to see librarians, scholars, and publishers gathered to share their newest projects. The evening’s theme,  "Bridge over Troubled Waters," centered on ways that libraries are serving various immigrant communities in the Northeast.

One of the most stimulating presentations was an author Q & A featuring a quartet of Latinx authors affectionately called Las Musas or, "The Muses": Mia Garcia, Alexandra Villasante, Emma Otheguy, and Hilda Eunice Burgos. These four writers have contributed to the Latinx canon by developing work for children, young adult, and adult audiences. Many of their experiences growing up in New York City, and in rural parts of the country, led to the development of their diverse characters and multi-layered settings.

Additionally, The New York Public Library presented their Book Box Project, which focuses on providing free books to patrons throughout the Bronx. The 2018 Innovation Project-funded concept paired locally elected officials and community organizations with the red "Book Boxes," which they house in their respective offices. Patrons are encouraged to keep books and develop their own libraries at home, or donate gently used books.

The conference's most fascinating presentation centered on how the Free Library of Philadelphia helped a massive influx of Puerto Ricans in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Librarians were trained by FEMA to help patrons access resources, seek temporary housing, and obtain food and clothing. According to librarian Tania Maria Rios Marrero, patrons became family as they used library space to cope with the tragedy they had just endured in Puerto Rico, and developed a micro-community in Philadelphia to move forward with their lives. Most patrons eventually returned to their home island while others stayed in Philadelphia and found employment with the Free Library.

Overall, the Reforma Mini Conference was a wonderful success that allowed for new ideas, networking, and the promotion of librarianship. We already look forward to attending next year’s conference.