Author: Tasia Pender

By Sabrina Bobadilla, Graduate Assistant

I started Reading Nation Waterfall in Fall of 2024. I was looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge of librarianship in a way that a structured class didn’t offer. I live in Los Angeles County, and internship opportunities here are highly competitive, and I was grateful for an internship that was willing to accept me. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but I was eager to gain experience and willing to learn. Once I learned about Reading Nation Waterfalls initiatives, I was moved by the project’s scope and potential impact, and I was determined to help where I could. This was an incredible project that allowed me to have the opportunity to work with people who directly impact the lives of Indigenous populations. One of the parts of Reading Nation Waterfall that I found particularly inspiring was that the grant not only offered books, but enabled Indigenous authors to publish books of their own. This not only increases literature specific to their culture, but allows their voice to be a contributing part of that culture.

The most difficult part of Reading Nation Waterfall was jumping into a moving wheel and finding a way to contribute to a complex organization. I needed to familiarize myself with the project and find a way that I could contribute independently. However, this isn’t unique to Reading Nation Waterfall and will be representative to any organization or employment joined while in midst of development, and is an important skill to learn.

Things weren’t always easy, and I saw firsthand the difficulties the project managers experienced; high turnover and missed communication with tribal members posed challenges. It was valuable insight into the obstacles that may be experienced within organizations. Despite the difficulties, the motivation never wavers, and the determination to complete the project remains.

I’m grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had as an SJSU student and as Reading Nation Waterfall Intern.

By Bryanna Hensley, Graduate Assistant

The Reading Nation Waterfall Replication Toolkit stands as a vital resource for libraries, demonstrating how to align learning experiences with educational principles and theories. The initiative addresses literacy barriers in Native American communities by implementing culturally relevant, accessible, and sustainable book-sharing systems.

The approach integrates collaborative learning by partnering with schools, libraries, and Head Start centers. These partnerships support interactive literacy ecosystems where families and children engage with materials designed to reflect their cultures, fostering not only reading skills but also a deeper connection to their heritage. These efforts are increasingly important for early literacy and giving students a head start in their education.

By focusing on “The Three Legs of the Stool”—Head Start sites, elementary schools, and public or tribal libraries—the initiative creates a strategic framework for equitable access. Libraries are guided to curate collections with “own voices” narratives, provide free resources via Little Free Libraries, and host programs that encourage active learning. These experiences reflect modern educational theories emphasizing inclusion, cultural relevance, and community-driven collaboration.

The program also underscores assessment and adaptability, using data-driven methods to refine services and measure success. By integrating these elements, Reading Nation Waterfall exemplifies a library’s role as an epicenter for educational innovation and community growth. This toolkit offers a transformative model for advancing literacy and learning equity across diverse communities.

By Shannon Brockhurst, Graduate Assistant

In the Reading National Waterfall toolkit, I was responsible for writing the sections on “Building the Libraries” and “Building the Collection.” Writing the toolkit was both a rewarding and insightful experience. It allowed me to think deeply about the essential resources and tools that new librarians need to successfully navigate their roles. It made me ask the questions “What would I want to know?”, and “What would help me?”. 

I enjoyed curating practical tips and identifying valuable websites that could serve as ongoing resources. At times, it was challenging to strike a balance between being comprehensive and keeping the information clear and accessible. This process deepened my understanding of the diverse aspects of library work. 

I was also fortunate to have an invaluable resource at my disposal—my mother, who is a retired children’s librarian! Tapping into her wealth of knowledge on collection development and the importance of diversity in libraries was incredibly helpful. I learned more about her professional processes and the resources she used to curate inclusive collections.

Overall, writing the toolkit reinforced for me the importance of supporting librarians in creating and building inclusive, culturally relevant collections that foster community support. These skills are crucial to the evolving role of libraries today, as they continue to serve as vital hubs for diverse communities.

On April 16, 2024, pre-K students from the Yurok Head Start paired with their third-grade book buddies from Margaret Keating Elementary School for their second Book Buddy event of the year. During the event, third grade students read to the preschool book buddies, and all students received 8 free books to take home to enjoy. A previous Book Buddy event was held on March 18th, where 208 books were distributed to participating students – 10 books for each of the 16 pre-K students, and 3 books each for the 16 third grade students. The event has generated a lot of excitement from both students and teachers, and Reading Nation Waterfall is thrilled to know that students are sharing the joy of reading and heading home with more books to continue reading with their families.

Reading Nation Waterfall is grateful to Unite for Literacy for partnering with us to deliver affordable and appropriate books for the young readers in our partner schools. Not only does Unite for Literacy offer books that are being distributed for free to each pre-K and third grade student in our partner Head Start and Elementary school, they also offer free e-books online as well, adding to the waterfall of books for each child. 

Click here to donate a book (or more!) to our partner Tribes, and add to the waterfall yourself – every book counts!

In collaboration with The National Indian Head Start Directors Association, Unite for Literacy, and Little Free Library Indigenous Library Program, RNW is thrilled to announce The Sunrise Project: Illuminating Paths to Literacy for Native American Communities.