The Little Library That Could
by Carmen Elguezabal
W
elcome to the Presidio
Library. When you step
inside the main entry you are
in a modern, state of the art facility.
Miss Carmen Elguezabal, Librarian, is
there to greet you. Books in both
English and Spanish fill the shelves.
Free computer access terminals are
available to patrons. You might not
know this library is celebrating more
than 30 years. It began as
The Little Library that
Could. Wide community
support and hard work has
developed it into a full-
service public library with
high-quality events and
programs.
The story began when a
small group of Presidio
residents, determined to
have a local library, met
with representatives from
the Texas Trans-Pecos
Library system at a lunch-
eon buffet hosted by Mrs.
Ruth Legate at her resi-
dence. It was May of 1982.
All agreed that there was
sufficient interest for a
library in Presidio. By July
the City Council approved
a resolution to charter the
Library and appointed a
board. The first members
of the City of Presidio
Library Advisory Board
were Mrs. Ruth Legate,
Chairman, Mrs. Betty
Van Eman, Mrs. Teresa
Leyva and Mrs. Gloria
Myers.
In September the Library Board
learned that funding from the Trans-
Pecos Library System would be made
available. The Presidio Library Board
developed a budget and plans for a
location. In October the American
Legion gave the library temporary use
of the Legion building. In November
Mrs. Gloria Myers and Mrs. Ruth
Legate traveled to Imperial, Texas to
meet with Texas Trans-Pecos Library
System staff members to present the
budget and information on the loca-
tion for the library. The library was
20
Cenizo
Presidio Activity Center. It is fully
automated and has a website at presid-
iolibrary.org. There is an online cata-
log and 14 public-access computers
available. The number of registered
patrons has increased over the past
years. Our library patrons visit us from
as far away as Chihuahua, Mexico (it
has an international relationship with
its border Sister City, Ojinaga) and all
In the spring, on the Saturday
before Easter, there is an egg hunt in
the lovely garden that is behind our
building. The children gather at the
library for a story. After the story they
all get bunny ears to wear, and every-
one hops out to the beautiful garden to
the Bunny Hop Song. The egg hunt is
very successful. The local business
community donates candy and treats
for all the children.
In the summer there is
a week-long program for
the older children. It ends
on the last day with a field
trip to Fort Leaton
Historic Site, where the
library holds a picnic and
the children are presented
with participation certifi-
cates. It is well attended.
Along
with
the
Consulate of Mexico and
the Presidio ISD, the City of
Presidio Library hosts its
biggest yearly event: El Dia
de los Ninos, Dia de los
Libros is a celebration of
reading at the end of April.
This year, with the help and
contributions of many com-
munity members, it was a
very successful day. The
highlight was the Dallas
Puppet Theater puppeteer,
Mr. Pix Smith, who pre-
sented a program at each
Presidio ISD location.
I am very proud of our
City
Library. Currently
Presidio children enjoy the library’s annual Easter celebration, complete with an egg hunt and bunny hop
the library has 3,545 regis-
over the Big Bend region.
tered patrons with approximately
first librarian for the City of Presidio.
The library has some special aspects
14,830 library visits during the year.
In the next few months the library
to it. It serves a large geographical area
The library’s current collection is at
obtained additional funding. Miss.
that includes patrons on both side of
15,922. Our community has come
Carmen Elguezabal set up the new
the Rio Grande. It has a beautiful gar-
together and built and supported us.
facility. On August 2, 1983 the library
den behind the building that is used for
We have come a long way from our
opened its doors to the public. It was a
many programs. It hosts two weekly
first luncheon in 1982. Much has been
grand day. One year later, in
story time programs, one for ages three
accomplished as we celebrate more
September of 1984, it moved to the
to kindergarten for which the Presidio
than 30 years of serving our communi-
Nieto’s building on O’Reilly Street
elementary school children are bused
ty. It has been a learning experience
and was housed there until November
to the library, and one for toddlers who
and a challenging process but I am
of 2007. In 2007 it was awarded a
come with a parent or grandparent. A
very proud of the accomplishment.
USDA matching grant for the con-
parent and/or local community mem-
struction of a new building. The
Present library hours are Monday-
ber volunteers to read to the children,
library is currently operating at 1200
Friday 9:00 AM-1:00 PM & 2:00 PM-
East O’Reilly Street adjacent to the
followed by an arts and craft project.
6:00 PM.
awarded over $1,400.00. The dream
was definitely becoming a reality!
The first Friends of the Library was
organized in March of 1983. Its mem-
bers were Norma and Rick Joachim,
Rosa Pelton, Francis Hernandez and
Julieta Rodriguez. That same month
the library resolution was officially
approved by the City Council and Miss
Carmen Elguezabal was hired as the
Third Quarter 2014