Colin Powell School
Sarah Aponte,
Chief Librarian, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Professor, The City College of New York Libraries
Sarah Aponte’s journey from the Dominican Republic to becoming the Chief Librarian at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute (DSI) at CCNY is a story of resilience and dedication. In 1994, Aponte spearheaded the creation of the Dominican Library at DSI. Starting with community donations, she built it into the leading U.S. resource on Dominican studies. The library now holds the largest collection of Dominican self-published works and attracts researchers from around the globe. Aponte’s work at DSI ensures that the rich history and culture of the Dominican community are preserved and celebrated for future generations.
From Santiago to New York City
In 1989, Aponte immigrated from Santiago, Dominican Republic, to New York City. Her parents wanted better educational opportunities for her and her sister. Aponte's journey through CUNY—from Hostos to CCNY, Queens, and Baruch—culminated in two undergraduate and two graduate degrees. This foundation paved the way for her role as Chief Librarian at CUNY DSI and a Full Professor at City College.
Founding the Dominican Library
Since 1994, Aponte's work at CCNY has been intense and rewarding. She began at CUNY DSI as a College Work-Study student, creating the Dominican Library's infrastructure through donations. Today, the library is the premier research instrument of CUNY DSI, widely consulted by researchers, students, and community members interested in Dominican issues. It is the only U.S. site solely focused on the Dominican population, playing a key role in providing scholarly research about Dominicans and their contributions to society.
Promoting and Preserving Dominican Culture
Aponte is proud to be the first Dominican librarian solely dedicated to Dominican Studies in the U.S., although she is no longer the only one. She mentors and supports staff in pursuing Library Sciences degrees, enhancing the pool of researchers in Dominican Studies. The library offers 35-40 workshops annually, the largest educational program in Dominican studies for students in the U.S., collaborating with Librarian Jhensen Ortiz. These workshops help educators incorporate new knowledge into their curriculum and provide information literacy, bibliographic instruction, and educational workshops on Dominican-related sources.
Academic Journey
Aponte holds an Associate's degree in Liberal Arts from Hostos, a BA in International Studies from CCNY, an MSEd in Higher Education Administration from Baruch, and an MLS in Library and Information Sciences from Queens College. She recently became a Lifetime member of the Alumni Association of The City College of New York to support and stay connected to the institution that helped her grow academically and professionally.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Under Aponte’s leadership, the Dominican Library has achieved several milestones:
- Recognized in the World Catalogue for the largest collection of books self-published by Dominicans in the U.S.
- A meeting place for researchers worldwide using unique library resources.
- Holds doctoral dissertations and books in multiple languages.
- Establishes collaboration agreements with libraries and educational entities globally.
- Strong presence in online databases, including WorldCat, CUNY Academic Works, JSTOR Forum, and dLOC.
Engaging Schools and the Community
The CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Library and Archives develop curricula and workshops at the K-12 levels for New York City public schools and community-based organizations, offering nearly 50 programs annually. These culturally relevant curricula and workshops enhance traditional teaching by explaining the Dominican people's experience and their contributions to the U.S. and humanity at large.
Sarah Aponte’s work at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute is a testament to her dedication to preserving and promoting Dominican culture and heritage. Her journey from the Dominican Republic to Chief Librarian is an inspiring story of resilience and commitment to education and community.