Support is Motivating

Support continues to grow for a bilingual library and museum in Stockton, CA. One of the first people, outside of my family, I shared my idea with was Stockton Councilmember Dyane Burgos-Medina of District 5. District 5 includes the Fair Oaks Neighborhood, the area of Stockton which desperately needs a library.
From that first day, as I excitedly shared my idea, to now having a written formidable plan, Dyane has been helpful, patient, and most of all encouraging.

Councilmember Dyane Burgos-Medina speaks to a crowd 

at the Put Stockton First Kick Off on February 1, 2014. 

Stepping out with an idea can be intimidating. During this process, there have been lulls, delays and set backs. But it's all a part of a learning process. Each pause was a moment to look at the successes and progress of other worthy causes in my community, such as Put Stockton First. These moments reassured me that all projects take time but I need to keep moving forward! 

Thank you Councilmember Dyane Burgos-Medina for your support and motivation! 

Planning and Puzzles

Planning a project is like working on a puzzle; you can only go so far with the pieces you have. Today's planning meeting began at the Stribley Park Community Center in Stockton, CA. Another step in the right direction, and another piece to our puzzle is set into place. Progress toward a bilingual library and museum continues!

This is the latest in a series of meetings held since April, 2014. We have the full support of our district area Councilwoman Dyane Burgos-Medina. We have a resourceful grant writer, Nathan Werth, committed to helping our project. We have direct support of several teachers, school administrators and businesses in this area not to mention the countless family and friends who have cheered on this process from the beginning.

I will post regular updates to our progress in the coming days. I admit maintaining a blog is a juggling act. I applaud all Bloggers out there for the work they do! It's not as easy as it looks.

Of Biblioteca San Joaquin Murrieta Library

After asking many questions among my family and friends, I was introduced to another person here in Stockton who also shares the idea of a bilingual library. Richard Soto, not only has an extraordinary collection of Latino Chicano historical books, but also valuable artifacts, music and movies. His long time vision is shared through his website - Biblioteca San Joaquin Murrieta Library

It is a wonderful learning experience working with Mr Soto. He explains the library name "Biblioteca San Joaquin Murrieta Library" is a play with words combining our County name "San Joaquin" and the historical figure "Joaquin Murrieta".

With his help, not only can we begin to build a bilingual library, we can also share our Latino history through art and music in a museum-like atmosphere.

I am grateful he has agreed to being a partner in reviving the Fair Oaks Library!

Abuelita Storytime

One of the ideas to incorporate into a bilingual library has to be Storytime! And who better to tell stories than a loving Abuelita? I get excited thinking how we can encourage the community to come together in this way. 

These past two weeks have been spent writing down an action plan, forming a business plan & gathering support. Step by step, a bilingual library & technology resource center will happen! 

What's the "big idea"?

As a child, I remember frequently visiting the Fair Oaks Library in Stockton, CA in the early 80’s. I can remember many afternoons walking over to the library to read a book, listen to the storytellers or just play there with friends.

Located within East Stockton, it has been the only library available to families in this area. For many years, it served this needing community whose recent statistics scream out as one in need of valuable educational resources - Unemployment: 18%; Residents below the poverty level: 31%; Median resident age: 26; Males: 53.8%; Females: 46.2%; Percentage of people that speak English not well or not at all: 30.1%; Percentage of foreign born residents: 37.3%; Percentage of family households: 58.2%; Percentage of people 3 years and older in K-12 schools: 28.6%; Percentage of students K-12 enrolled in private schools: 32.2%. Percentage of people in undergraduate colleges: 6.6%; Percentage of people 3 years and older in Grad or professional schools: 2.1%.

Unfortunately it was closed in 2010, among many buildings in Stockton as our city began facing bankruptcy. Since then it has stood silent and boarded up. I have driven past this building many times nostalgic for the days people would make use of this wonderful place. I want to see our community revive it into a Bilingual Library & Technology Center. To offer books & various publications in Spanish & English, provide technology resources & become a place where we can build ourselves into a strong, educated community ready for the future. My next steps are to continue to connect with supporting partners, create community awareness and of course gather funding.