Another School Library

Last summer a dear friend and lover of libraries passed away in Playa del Carmen and willed all his bookcases to my library project. A teacher friend suggested that an elementary school in Bosque Real named after the Mexican poet Andres Henestrosa be considered for a library. Both morning and afternoon directors were eager for the project and there was a large well ventilated room available. My visit was greeted by a 2nd Grade class wishing me “Bienvenido- Welcome”.

So the bookshelves were piled in a friend’s truck and delivered to the school with promises that we would return with lots of books.

Parents painted shelving, built more bookcases, sorted books and painted a mural on one wall. Seaside Rotary had donated funds for the project and pitched in to help with the build.

The library was dedicated to John Phillips who had helped the students of Playa in many ways. Tables and benches came from Rotary, foam tiles for the floor were donated by school parents, a mobile train shelf provided space for English language books, a shelf of games for library use came from the government and more books arrived with a visit from Rotary governors.

In January 8th Grade students from El Papalote, a local private school, spent time reading with students in the library helping them discover the joy of reading.

This was the sixth library built by the Leyendo Project. A university student and a high school senior both volunteered as librarians every morning.