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.