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At the Elena Poniatowska Children’s Library, we want our users aged 0 to 17 and their families to find printed literature that interests and pleases them, both in Spanish and English. Currently the majority of our collection is in English, but we aim to expand our collection in Spanish and bilingual. Therefore, we extend an invitation to the community to visit us and donate books in Spanish so that more children can enjoy reading in this beautiful language.

The task we have ahead fills us with excitement but requires hard work. Just as we clean and organize our homes to receive guests, that’s precisely what we’ve been doing at the library. We appreciate our volunteers, Terra Omni, who support us with user assistance and collection organization on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 in the afternoon, and the Kazemis, who assist the library two to three times a week with collection organization.

If you wish to narrate a book or tell a story to our children, participate as a volunteer, donate books for children and teens, or share any questions, please write to bep-infantil@palapasociety.org, and I will gladly assist you.

PB: Who is your favorite author?

WP: John Sanford; I like his style and I can’t ever guess what is going to happen or who-done-it. He is a very clever writer who challenges the reader; not at all formulaic.

PB: If you were to branch out and expand your reading what section would you explore?

WP: I would go to biography or historical fiction. I really like Anne Rule because many of her books are based on real events, like the Green River murders.

PB: What would you tell prospective volunteers about the library?

WP: That volunteering is a good way to get involved in the community. The library may be a stationary place, but its fingers extend into the community by providing self-directed, life-long learning, and other formal educational opportunities for Mexican nationals.

PB: In your opinion how could the library better serve the community?

WP: I think there could be more publicity about the library, that we could have more members, especially with the (younger) 30-and-40-somethings. I have had mothers come in with their children and ask if there is a regular story time in the children’s library.

I think the group story time is an important part of a children’s library, I know it was when my girls were small.

Library membership fees increase as of January 1, 2024:

$500 for new memberships, $300 for renewals.

PB: If you were going to look for a book, what section would you go to?

TC: My favorite would be Science Fiction, the second would be Fiction.

PB: What would you say to people who are hesitant to become a member of the library?

TC: I’d just look at them in astonishment and say, why wouldn’t you? The cost of a membership is so low; you are donating to the town, to the Palapa and Puente students, to the people who live here. You’re helping their children succeed; why wouldn’t you?

PB: What do you think of our new policy of giving some of our elders a life-long membership?

TC: I think it’s totally awesome. I totally approve!!

PB: It’s for people over 75, who have been longtime library supporters. The most recent inductee said, “I’ll renew when I get some more money”. That was enough for me to invite them.

TC: Books should be free, knowledge should be free.

PB: My favorite retort to someone who reported abuse of the Little Free Libraries, “You can’t steal a free book.”