Heidy Urbina, Austin Public Library, Children’s Program Specialist
Heidy was born in Guatemala City, where she got a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the Francisco Marroquin University and a Licenciatura in Clinical Psychology at Del Valle University. She moved to the USA in 2011 and in 2014 started working at the Austin Public Library as a Children's Program Specialist. Heidy creates and presents programs related to Early Literacy. She helps guide Spanish speaking parents preparing their children for school and to become good readers.
Heidy also studied music at the National Conservatory of Music in Guatemala. She includes her ukulele/guitar in her Storytime programs. Her love for music and nature comes from her parents who loved to travel around the world, and who were part of a famous Guatemalan choir for thirty years.
Some of Heidy's hobbies are birding, traveling, teaching ukulele/guitar classes for beginners, reading and spending time with her family.
Different Ways to Support Your Reading Journey
Heidy began her talk by sharing with us about her family and growing up in Guatemala, especially about her parents' love of reading and how they shared that with everyone in their family. She said that brain function is increased when reading. Exercise is for the body as reading is for the brain.
The Austin library system includes 20 Branches, a Central Library, a History Center, and a Book Van. Their mission is to inspire, learn and provide services. They provide hotspots, chrome books, lending materials, computers, passport services, meeting rooms, computer classes, talk time, ESL classes, Storytime, festivals, and homework tutoring. They even have some classes led by Home Depot experts to teach skills.
In conclusion, Heidy played her ukulele and invited us to join her in singing “Three Little Bird” song. Here is Bob Marley’s version. It’s a catchy tune and Heidy did it better than Bob Marley!