The first step of the project is to improve the library space. The school has a designated space, which makes our process a lot easier. But the space needs a lot of work before it can be called a functional and inviting lending library.
One big obstacle this library has is accessibility to materials. Half of the reading materials are randomly stacked in china cabinets that are too high for the younger children to reach. The rest of the books are in large plastic storage containers, with no labels, and mixed in with empty boxes of games and game pieces.
We hope to work with Patzilin Abaj to create a space that is organized, accessible and inviting, a space that encourages kids to spend time in the library and borrow books. Our vision for this library is to have appropriate and safe furniture, an investigation corner, a reading section, a designated area for games and a librarian who can teach the children how to find books, using a color coding method that is easy for the youngest readers.
“When deciding what books to order for the library, we try to find books that have illustrations, elements, characters, and situations that students from these schools can identify with and be inspired by,” says Esther Dominguez, Pathways to Literacy Project Manager. “We also try to get books that are completely different from their surroundings and talk about diversity so they can foster their creativity, ” she added.
*2017 Guatemalan National Institute of Statics, literacy in Solola Department