Building Libraries

One of my most important initiatives, and fundamental to my personal beliefs, Building Libraries is a TXSBOE1 priority. We build home libraries, libraries in community centers, and partner with communities to build libraries in free-standing structures to re-establish them as free community libraries.

Our library partnerships are simple:
No residency checks.
No documentation.
No return policy.

Education is a fundamental human right. Literacy is the key to a lifetime of learning, building beautiful community relationships, and transforming realities. Literacy is crucial in the fight to reduce infant mortality rates, achieve gender equality, ensure sustainable community economies, peace, and social justice. Literacy enables families to overcome poverty, gain health care access, accomplish goals, and build bolder dreams.
~Georgina Cecilia Perez

Deputy Peter Herrera Library

San Elizario, Texas

To commemorate the opening of the
Deputy Pete Herrera Library
& Community Center,
your TXSBOE1 office donated hundreds of bilingual books, materials, and resources.
10 August 2019

Tornillo Community Center Library

Tornillo, Tx

To commemorate the opening of the
W.E. Neil Community Center,
your TXSBOE1 office donated
25 cases of books.
26 Sep 2018

Agua Dulce Community Center Library

Horizon, Tx

"Today I was given the opportunity to donate over 1k+ books to the El Paso County Self-Help Center in the colonias.
Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference, one book at a time." #TheTEAM #TXSBOE1
Nallely Ramirez, 24 Aug 2018

Rio Vista Community Center Library

Socorro, Tx

The Rio Vista Library is the only library
in El Paso's Rio Grande Valley,
not attached to a school,
allowing students and families to fully utilize library services outside of El Paso City limits.

More than a Decade of Building Libraries

Local, National, & Global Data
Benefits of Literacy & Effects of Illiteracy

EL PASO - County Residents to pay for library cards
“We have some of the highest illiteracy rates in the country, something that has persistently plagued our community for decades,” he said. He added that as public servants, he and city representatives must address large-scale problems,
such as illiteracy and joblessness.
http://newspapertree.com/articles/2013/08/08/county-residents-to-pay-for-library-cards

NATIONAL - The 5 Least Literate Cities in America
Each year, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) examines how well Americans use their literacy skills. The cities are ranked based on six categories: bookstores, residents’ educational attainment, newspaper circulation, use of online resources, the library system, and periodical publishing resources. El Paso is ranked 4th least literate, 2014; 3rd least literate, 2013.
http://time.com/9549/the-5-least-literate-cities-in-america/

GLOBAL - Human benefits
“The human benefits from literature are related to factors such as the improved self-esteem, empowerment, creativity and critical reflection that participation in adult literacy programmes and the practice of literacy may produce. Human benefits are intrinsically valuable and may also be instrumental in realizing other benefits of literacy: improved health, increased political participation and so on.” http://www.unesco.org/education/GMR2006/full/chapt5_eng.pdf

GLOBAL - World Economic Forum on the Global Gender Gap Report, 2015
Nations with the least inequality also have the highest literacy levels, wage equality, more women in elected office, longer life expectancy, and higher GDP. The United States ranks #28 on the GGGR 2015.
https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2015/