For today's Photographers Without Borders assignment I traveled from the first U.S. Public library, located in Franklin, MA, to the first public library in Central America, named Hester J. Hodgdon Library, located in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. The HJH Program was established in 2001 and was the first lending library in Central America providing books, information, and community center services to the people of San Juan del Sur and the surrounding communities.
Libraries in Nicaragua normally do not loan their books, and money for new books is scarce. There is little or no access to books or information and in many schools rooms there are very few books. The SJDS Biblioteca is an integral part of the community and serves as a mentor or collaborator to 41 new lending library programs. Today the library has 6,800 registered patrons, 12,500 books in Spanish and English and currently provides computer access, Internet and Wi-Fi Access to all and priority is given to students. Instruction and assistance with research and homework is available.
The SJDS Biblioteca also has a children's program which includes theater, story hour, science projects, crafts, study areas and english classes. The library provides literacy information for parents and educational resources for students and teachers.
Schools in Nicaragua do not provide art as part of the school curriculum. On the day of my visit, as part of the SJDS Biblioteca Children's program, children were reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by author Eric Carle. After discussing the book children participated in making butterflies using colorered balls and butterfly cutouts as part of the after school craft activity.
Another accomplishment met by the San Juan del Sur Biblioteca is the Library's Mobile Project, which began on May 2003. Bins of books are loaded onto a pickup truck and brought to schools in remote communities in the surrounding areas. Today the mobile project operates 3 days a week, bringing over 5,000 books to 31 communities, and has provided over 6,800 library cards to children, their teachers and other members of these communities.
Many of us in the United States know and relish the pleasure of reading and have many books and information available to us. Today, I was reminded of how fortunate we are to have so many public libraries and free resources available to us. As a child I remember spending much of my time at my school library on journey's of escape and long summers in my parents bedroom reading to stay out of trouble. Getting lost in books is what I remember most about my childhood. I hope the efforts of the Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All Programs continues to reach out to more and more children providing them with a safe environment to learn and grow.
To learn more about San Juan del Sur Biblioteca and the Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All " Library in a Box" program visit www.librariesforall.org or www.sjdsbiblioteca.org
Interesting in a volunteer experience and learning about the communities of San Juan del Sur. They have an active volunteer skill share program which includes Library Science students, librarians, teachers, and Spanish Language students and many others. Customized programs are available. Applications are available on their website here: www.sjdsbiblioteca.org
2 Comments
Aug 15, 2018, 8:15:59 AM
Matilde Simas - Hi Jane, Thank you. All images have been sent. I hope you enjoy them. I look gorward to visiting again and documenting the mobile library team. Best, Matilde Simas
May 20, 2017, 1:51:37 PM
Jane Mirandete - Wonderful photos! I am so glad you got to see the Biblioteca in action! I am only sad I wasn't there myself to greet you! I am so glad that Courtney and the team could assist you. Thanks so much for the photos and the story. We are working on our new website and would like to use some of your photos is that possible? I am the director and founder of the library and the president of the supporting organization HJH Program, all bests, Jane Mirandette