It’s going to happen…there will be a school
library at I.E. #11520 in the village of San Miguel (see the May 28 post to
learn how this project started). Parent’s association members we are told are continuing
to clean and paint; broken windows are being replaced and furniture will be
delivered within the next two weeks. In addition to providing replacement glass
and window protectors Promesa Peru is supplying 4 tables, 16 chairs and 2 book
shelves.
Tomàs is a carpenter in the city of Picsi
who has a reputation for quality work delivered on-time and will be
constructing the library furniture. He was also the most reasonably priced of
the 3 we talked with. The high school director Guadalupe and kinder director Yolanda
accompanied us. It was interesting looking at his shop and the others we visited.
There were no power tools that I saw and Tomàs confirmed that almost all the
work is done by hand. Personally I would be lost amidst all that clutter but
I’m sure he knows where everything is.
So hopefully around the end of June we’ll
have a squeaky clean and well furnished library. What will be missing are
books.
We know there are Peruvian expats in
California, Florida, New Jersey and in many cities in many other countries
reading this blog. To those readers and to Peruvians here in Peru (and anyone
else for that matter), we’d like to ask this question: what book(s) did you
read in primary or secondary that influenced you…that maybe inspired you to
read further about a career, or some historical event or figure, or the fields
of science, art or literature? Chances are that those students in I.E. #11520 would
like that same opportunity. Seriously, we and the school staff would very much
appreciate suggestions for book titles that can be found here in Peru. If you
can afford to donate the money to buy the book, that would be a great help. Or
if you’d like to mail a book directly to the school let us know at promesaperu2@gmail.com and
we’ll get the address for you.
School director Guadalupe Gallardo is
contacting alumni for book donations. Maribel’s son Brian during vacation this
July is planning to head up a ‘book drive’ at the University of Piura in Piura
and among his friends here in Chiclayo. We’ll be keeping our eyes open at Chiclayo’s
new and used book stores looking for anything appropriate and in good
condition.
I worked in a medical library for many years. I remember we were among the first people to know that the former Soviet Union was crumbling because we received a book donation request from a medical library in the Czech Republic in the early 90s.
ReplyDeleteWe sent them books and supplies in M-bags for a few years until unfortunately our budget no longer allowed it.
My advice is to contact libraries and explain the situation.
Also, perhaps the library will have the ability to receive information digitally.
Sadly, print based materials are fast becoming a relic of the 20th century.
Good luck!
Hello William - thanks for the comment and advice. We had not thought about contacting other libraries. I’m not sure how we go about it but we’ll give it a try. The library in San Miguel won’t have a computer unless we give it to them, and we’re concerned about the $15 monthly internet cost. We don’t want to take on that obligation and don’t know if the village can/will do it.
ReplyDeleteI share your lament regarding print based material. I was saddened when Borders closed. I wonder how long Barnes & Noble can hold out. Books have souls…they’re like old friends; each of them unique. I’ve looked at Kindle and other such devices but cannot bring myself to buy one. I can cozy up to a book – I can’t do that with plastic.
Tom