Cenizo Journal Summer 2014 | Page 20

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