The Oaxaca Miracle

Scattered across the rugged terrain of Oaxaca State in southern Mexico, a group of
expats and winter snowbirds have accomplished something of which Andrew Carnegie would
be justifiably proud. They have brought books and libraries to more than 80 towns and villages,
many in isolated areas where there is little outreach from social programs of any kind. In a
country where most libraries don’t allow books to be checked out and where the average
person reads less than one book a year, Libros Para Pueblos (Books for Villages) has turned the
tide for countless youngsters. The success of the program may be attributed to the founders’
desire that the communities where the libraries are established be the owners and managers
and that children be allowed to take books home. The Libros Para Pueblos (LPP) libraries are
located in elementary schools, art workshops, museums and municipal facilities around the
State. One library is housed in a refurbished railway car at the Oaxaca’s Railroad Museum and
another is in the local prison where families enjoy reading together.

Tom Dunham, one of the founders, was on a photography assignment in the village of
Vicente Guerrero in 1998 when the idea took root.

“The primary school was like so many I had seen over the years: sunbaked playground,
peeling roof and walls and meager picking of books, many so well worn they were nearly
useless.” He suggested to the teacher that maybe he and some friends could help. The teacher
immediately lit up and pled “When? How?” Tom recruited two friends, Jim Breedlove and Joan
Quillen, and took it from there, one school, one small bookcase at a time.

Libros Para Pueblos does not build libraries; rather it works with communities to build
interest in reading. The enthusiasm, support, and work of parents and townspeople have been
and are essential to LPP’s success. Each community takes responsibility for its own library
facility, most often located in existing or renovated spaces where they provide shelves
specifically designed to display the colorful book covers facing out to entice the young readers.
The communities also provide staffing and scheduling while LPP provides the books. Since it’s
founding, donors have played a key role in supporting the libraries, initially, donations were
made to a general fund but starting in 2008, individual sponsors signed on to support a specific
library for five years or more. Many libraries are now dedicated in memory of loved ones. The
number of libraries greatly increased in 2011 when an anonymous Mexican benefactor stepped
forward to cover the cost for the initial supply of approximately 400 books. Library sponsorship,
which is tax-deductible in the US, Mexico and Canada, costs $800US annually.

The success of Libros Para Pueblos is evident in the multitude of requests received from
communities each year. Following submission of a community application, a meeting is held
with town leaders to determine feasibility and capacity, often necessitating volunteers to travel
to the most difficult to reach parts of the State but where libraries will make the greatest
difference to village life. Each library develops its own system for inventory, circulation and
hours of operation. One of the most successful LPP locations is only open one-day per week but
boasts of children reading over 300 books in a year.

Aware that the role of libraries is changing and the technology can open other avenues
of exploring, learning and reading, LPP is striving to provide computers and tablets. This has
resulted in 40% of the libraries having one or more computers but much remains to be done.

Many of the LPP librarians have no formal training but LPP has developed a program of librarian
support and development. This includes hosting an annual, statewide conference which brings
two representatives from each library to the capital for a full day of workshops and discussions
to share successful strategies, programs and challenges. In 2016, more than 150 librarians,
community representatives, guests and volunteers attended the conference and more than
7,000 new books were distributed. Additionally, four regional workshops and librarian's manual
provide guidance and inspiration. The success of these initiatives can be judged by the recent
awarding of the National Reading Prize “Mexico Lee” (Mexico Reads) to three Libros Para
Pueblos librarians.

As the organization grew, it became apparent that fulltime staffing was needed and an
Executive Director was hired, placing a new and critical financial challenges on the organization.
Judith Marciál Calderón, the current Executive Director, is guiding the organization through this
period of growth. Sustainability of the program is clearly evident. Loss of books has never been
a problem, rather normal wear and tear. Four of the oldest libraries have had their start-up
collections completely replaced. Through annual visits, interviews with librarians and
community leaders, and quantitative reviews of book circulation records, LPP determines the
operational progress and success of each location.

Although founded by expats, Libros Para Pueblos has been embraced by the local
communities. Nine Oaxaqueños now volunteer as Regional Coordinators, assuming more
responsibility and ownership of the program. They provide support, training and inspiration to
the librarians in their regions and meet with the LPP staff every three months in Oaxaca City.

LPP had its beginnings in the Oaxaca Lending Library in the capital city. The library,
which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016, has nearly 1,300 members and boast one of
the larger collection of English books, audio/video media, and periodicals in the country. Its
weekly Intercambio (Exchange) Program matches dozens of Mexicans and English speakers for
the opportunity to polish their bilingual skills and ¡Niños Adelante! Teaches English to children
and their families through songs and games every Saturday. The Library offers more than 50
educational and cultural events and programs annually, ranging from Mexican History to Art to
Mezcal, led by resident members and by stateside scholars who return every winter for the
balmy Oaxaca climate. The Library, which is entirely funded by membership fees and fund-
raising, is the city’s social center for foreign residents as well as Mexicans. Many expats affirm
that the Library is what caused them to put down roots in Oaxaca.

Want to see Libros Para Pueblos in action for yourself while you are visiting Oaxaca?
Volunteers provide regular visits to libraries in the Valley of Oaxaca and beyond. This is a unique
opportunity to see a library or two, meet children and librarians, and see dramatic landscapes
and experience village life not normally accessible to outsiders. Full or half day outings are
organized monthly. Write to info@librosparapueblos.org to schedule your visit. Be prepared to
have your heartstrings tugged, however. One visitor was moved near to tears when a young girl
came up, closely clutching a book to her chest, and said, “This is my favorite book. I have read it
six time. I almost have it memorized.” Attending a library dedication can also gladden your
heart when you see villagers and children enter their library for the first time, eyes popping at
the sight of so many colorful books now available to them.
United Airlines offers the only non-stop flights between the US and Oaxaca.

For more information, go to www.librosparapueblos.org and www.oaxlibrary.org