Municipal laurels

In Rural Libraries we take volunteering seriously: we work quietly for the good of the community, without advertising.

However, it is nice when people or entities outside our work take notice of what we do, recognise the value and meaning of our work and spread it.

Alfredo Mires Ortiz, our general coordinator, has been writing, designing and publishing books for almost 40 years. To date, more than 200 titles have been born out of his initiative and with his support - silently and without expecting anything in return.

That is why we are delighted that on 2nd June, the Provincial Municipality of Cajamarca awarded Alfredo the "Municipal Laurels" in a private and meaningful ceremony.

On its website, the Municipality comments:

Municipal Manager Ricardo Azahuanche, on behalf of Mayor Henry Alcán-tara, presented the recognition to this illustrious character for being "Promoter of the Rural Libraries of Cajamarca and the Country, as well as for his important literary and intellectual contribution and his contribution to the promotion of reading in the rural communities of Cajamarca. It is worth remembering that Alfredo Mires was recently awarded the House of Literature Prize for his "renovating vision of books, reading and literature, in dialogue with the needs of the community.

Congratulations, Alfredo. A well deserved recognition.

Mamá Yola with the Network

Doña Yolanda Ortiz, Mamá Yola as we affectionately call her, honoured us with her visit to the great family of the Network.

Thank you Mama Yola, your visit is not only a reason for joy because of the great affection you show us- your conversations motivate, educate, inspire, teach. By educating your children you have already sown that little seed of community, a seed that your son Alfredo has been consolidating in this great proposal of Rural Libraries, as a space to value ourselves as we are, to appreciate the value of our fields, to learn in community and to be community.

Your presence and strength always teaches us, come back soon.

A new book is born

I am the now and the always

I am yesterday and tomorrow

I am truly what you long for

I am the truth if you seek me

I am truly what you want.

This is one of the verses of the poem "The Mountain Declares", we find it in the new book "Romance of the mountain", it is the 100th title of the Numbered Series, the book contains 48 poems written by Alfredo Mires Ortiz.

We celebrate the poetry always alive and present in our community.

Daniel, Network volunteer and reader

To this joy of knowing that children and teenagers from Jaen will be delighted with the wonderful stories of our books, we can add the joy of having the presence of little Daniel, volunteer and reader of the Network. Daniel leaves his games and joins in the work to organise the boxes with books, encouraging us at all times and making everything more bearable. He confidently says when you have to climb the ladder to bring down the box with books - 'don't be afraid, you won't fall, and if you do, I'll help you' - or - 'I think these books are being mistreated in this location' and 'hurry up and help me with another flannel because with my patience when will we finish' - at his young age he makes us understand that everything is possible and that the books need our care.

May the children and young people who receive these books not only read them, but also take care of them and continue to share them; may the magic of reading be completed with their tenderness and curiosity; may they continue to motivate us to continue telling our history and valuing the wisdom of our grandparents.

On the way to Jaén...

With excitement and hope we prepare the books for Jaén, thanks to the initiative of our friends, coordinators and librarians, who have integrated four more titles from the books of the Rural Libraries Network, authored by Alfredo Mires, into their school's reading plan. Here are the verses of "Coplita de los Coplares" and "Resuellos"; "El Puma al acecho" telling a little of our history in the form of theatre and "El duende del laberinto" with the stories that motivate us to always find our way out of the labyrinth.

Old and new friends

Many years ago, Karin Rojas and Gaby Díaz came to the Network as volunteers. They were members of the Andean Prehistory Studies Group (GEPA) and we travelled with them to different places. They participated in the office, in different areas and Karin even lived for several years in the Network's house in Cajamarca, managing all the premises. We have many beautiful memories of these times, there are many anecdotes that we could tell and our gratitude for the volunteer work of these friends is infinite.

The years have passed and now both Karin and Gaby are mothers and have their own roles and responsibilities. However, when we asked them a few weeks ago if they would be willing to help us with the running of the Book Exchange Centre, the heart of the Network's work, they both enthusiastically answered yes.

They are now arriving with some frequency to take on the broad and diverse tasks as volunteers of the Network. But they did not come alone! With them came their children, four great youngsters: Rodrigo, Sebastian, Diego and Adriana. And Karin's husband also offered to join the cause.

It is a gift from heaven, a blessing, a light and a hope.

Welcome, friends all.

The Network in Jaén

What a great effort by our team in Jaén!

Recently, we participated in the 1st Jaén book exhibition. There, teacher Sara Moreno and the students of Social Sciences were there in full force.

Manuela's BRIE

The proposal of the Network was increased several years ago with the formation of the Rural Libraries in Educational Institutions (BRIE): in the schools or colleges that decide to have a Rural Library.

One of them is the one that Manuela Vásquez, coordinator of our Network, has in her Educational Institution.

You should see how enthusiastically the children read and borrow books!

Living library

Recently, our Network of Rural Libraries celebrated its anniversary, always humble, in silence, without fanfare. And, as we always say, here, the noise is made by the books.

Our best way to celebrate, then, is through collective reading, because even if it is just one person who reads, it is the whole community that benefits. We celebrate with the journey of our books into communities where they are always welcomed and read. And, in addition to celebrating the reading in the books, we celebrate the living library made up of readers and librarians, men and women, children, young and old; but, above all, the memory of those who have bequeathed us this immense oral tradition that today is transmitted through the books that are born in our Network. We celebrate the perseverance of those who collect this oral tradition in the communities, patiently listening to those who know, and writing their memories as faithfully as possible. We also celebrate those who, for so many years, have been leaving their example and their wisdom within reach of the present and the future: Father Juan, Alfredo, Don Pascualito and all our companions who are part of this family. They, without a doubt, are our largest and wisest library. They are our living library.

Thank you, Antonio Basanta

Antonio Basanta is a renowned Spanish writer (PhD in Hispanic literature), teacher, editor and author of many books related to reading promotion.

He has been director of the Germán Sánchez Ruipérez Foundation for more than 25 years.

Recently, Antonio published his most recent book, "Leer contra la nada" (Reading against nothingness), which brings together profound reflections on the value of reading.

Antonio has generously donated this book to the communities of our Network.

Here and always, our respect, affection, admiration and gratitude to Antonio.

Manuela and reading

Manuela Vásquez is a teacher and coordinator of our network.

She is part of the community with 37 children from the Educational Institution 82663, attached to the IESP of Bambamarca.

In her school she has a BRIE (Rural Library in Educational Institutions).

The children themselves run the library, do the lending and register the readers.

Congratulations, Manuela!

This is an extraordinary example for teachers, students and community.

Julio and reading

Our friend José Julio Estela does not cease in his efforts to promote reading. This time he has been in the Campodén area, where he also brought our books and the encouragement to read them.