Dean of Library and Academic Support Services Cary Morse traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, last December to attend the Feria Internacional del Libro (FIL), the premier publishing and literary event in the Spanish-speaking world. This professional development opportunity has already begun enriching the student experience here at QCC.
The FIL is enormous in scope, welcoming over 900,000 visitors across eight days, with 2,800 publishing houses represented and 630 book presentations. Unlike many industry events, FIL welcomes both professionals and the general public, creating a unique atmosphere where literature comes alive.
With well over 25% of QCC's student population identifying as Latino/Hispanic, Morse specifically sought out experiences that would resonate with QCC students' lived experiences. At the fair, she attended panels on literature of immigration and displacement, meeting authors whose stories mirror the journeys many of our students and their families have taken.
Among the highlights was meeting Sergio Ramírez, the 82-year-old Nicaraguan writer and former vice president who is now in exile in Spain. She also connected with Venezuelan author Karina Sainz Borgo, whose family's multi-generational experience of displacement offers powerful perspectives on migration and resilience. Additionally, Morse acquired works for the QCC library by authors discovered at the fair, such as Salvadoran-American writer Rubén Reyes Jr.
Morse's experience has opened doors to supporting translation efforts that could bring more Latin American voices to English-speaking readers. She's also researching ways to connect with small independent presses that specialize in bringing international literature to American audiences.
This type of experience helps faculty and staff stay connected to the global literary voices that reflect our students' heritage and experiences.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the library is also featuring a special display focusing on Puerto Rican and Dominican Republic literature, reflecting the local community demographics.
The library's current book display runs through October 15th and includes a QR code for feedback.