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20 years, 3 library expansions, 36 Mobile Project locations, and 56 Library in a Box lending projects later, our critical work in Nicaragua continues! |
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20th Anniversary Virtual Celebration:
This year, we celebrate 20 years since the library’s initiation in 2001. We are taking time to look back on where we started and see just how much we have accomplished over the last two decades. It is hard to believe that we have already reached such a significant milestone, but it is clear that the library is an essential aspect of life in San Juan del Sur.
COVID-19 has once again canceled plans for an in-person celebration, but we are excited to announce a series of virtual events we are hosting to honor this milestone!
The beloved annual poetry, drawing, and essay contest is underway, and the library staff have announced the contest to each of the 36 Mobile Project schools. Submissions are being collected, and a winner will be chosen by the HJH Advisory Board. We have been told the excitement surrounding the contest is substantial, and we cannot wait to see the submissions we receive!
We are hosting virtual readings of this year’s Jumpstart’s Read For The Record book Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon (Amy Wu y el Dragón de Retazos). The first reading was held with students from the San Juan del Sur Day School, and the second will be held at Escuela Adelante. With supply chain issues, we have not been able to provide hard copies of the books in time for these events, but the book will be read digitally, and 50 copies in Spanish will circulate in 2022. We plan to get them to Nicaragua as soon as possible! |
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As always, library staff decorated the library for the anniversary, and there will be a commemorative anniversary wall that we will share with you all virtually. Heidy and Katia are making a massive dragon replica to go along with the Read for the Record book. A mural of the cover has been painted and is being used as a backdrop. |
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Mementos!
We are also planning on sending out commemorative 20th anniversary mementos to our dedicated donors in appreciation of all the support you have shown us over the years. Without you, none of our work is possible.
Please be sure to send your physical mailing address to [email protected] to ensure you receive your commemorative memento! |
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2021 Matching Grant Success:
We are very pleased to announce we were able to meet and exceed our matching grant goal. The grand total reached over $16,000. The matching grant ran from June-September this year. Although this was our only matching grant opportunity for 2021, your donations (big or small) made it flourish, and, for that, we are so very thankful.
Please consider taking a look at the links below to see if you or someone you know works at one of the companies that provides matching grants. If your company is not listed on the site, consider contacting your human resource department and ask if they participate in matching programs. You might be surprised by what you discover! |
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3D Printer Extraordinaire Preston Tobery visits San Juan del Sur
In October, Preston Tobery from the University of Maryland and Adaptive Technology once again visited the library to meet with Wiston, our 3D printer technologist, to do some in-depth training and servicing with the 3D printers. After showing Wiston how to repair some of the issues with the printers, Preston introduced him to new design software, and they created several practice prints to get Wiston comfortable with the program. Preston started out with a simple design using the pawn chess piece to explore the new software. It took about 45 minutes to design the piece and for Wiston to get comfortable with the software. The next day, when Preston returned to the library, Wiston already had a picture of the Knight piece and was ready to dive in!
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The one-on-one training Preston provided to Wiston was invaluable. Wiston has shown us how much his confidence has grown over the past few weeks, and he is so excited to continue perfecting his designs and providing useful items to the community. |
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Preston and Wiston pose for a photo to thank Maker Box and Green Gate 3D for their generous donations of filament and a printer. |
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Preston let Wiston take the lead with the new software with help from translator Reynaldo.
One of the main goals of Preston’s time in San Juan del Sur was to prepare for the American Library Association’s International Relations Round Table (IRRT) Mission Enhancement Grant to develop a 3D printing course. The course is set to take place in early 2022 and will be offered to a group of local students. The 3D printer lab space was revamped in preparation for the course while Preston was visiting. Preston met with Edwin to create a virtual model of the space, and, in less than three hours, they were able to come up with a low cost construction project to make the space more functional and provide room for expansion. Check out the before and after photos below! |
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The original space set up in 2019 when the printers were first installed at the library |
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The newly completed space! Ready for creating 3D designs and producing 3D items for the SJDS community. |
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Giving Tuesday Virtual Events:
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving hosted every year the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year, Giving Tuesday falls on November 30th, and, leading up to that day, we will be celebrating by releasing a series of Social Media posts that highlight each component of our mission statement: Education, Literacy, and Community Development. Follow the new HJH Facebook page to receive updates about the posts, and keep an eye out for an upcoming newsletter highlighting each of the posts! Mark the date on your calendars and share this opportunity for giving with your friends! |
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Satellite library visits in October: |
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In October, several of our satellite school locations (mini in-school libraries) were visited and are in great functioning order. Their book collections have been refreshed this year with much needed new books. These book collections are sponsored by our longtime collaborators at Opportunity Tree International located in Boulder, CO and allow students to access books at any time in between monthly Mobile Project visits. |
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20th Anniversary of the San Juan del Sur Bilioteca Publica Y Movil- established in November 2001 |
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20 year reflection from Jane:
Twenty years, how is that even possible? The most delightful part is that, starting with just my own vision twenty years ago, we are now an Advisory Board of twelve and, out of that grouping, a fully functional five member Executive Board. Each member brings talents, expertise, vision, and skills way beyond my own. I can’t wait until you see all that we have planned and what is in the works next!
Coupled with that are so many of you who have faithfully carried suitcases full of books, flown to Nicaragua multiple times in multiple situations, offered prayers, craft materials, sent books, and so much more. Your faithful financial support has allowed all this to happen. We may all take a bow that we made it this far together and are stronger than ever in our purpose, goals, and achievements.
So, as we commemorate this 20th year juncture, we pause to say with overwhelming gratitude, thank you all so much. Let’s all move into this 21st year with hope, optimism, and ever stronger dedication in the goals of “Leveraging the power of education and literacy to enhance community vitality.”
With my deepest gratitude,
Jane Mirandette |
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We are registered as Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All. Please donate today with the PayPal or JustGiving buttons above OR by check made payable to:
HJH Programs
1716 Del Norte Ave.
Loveland, CO 80538 |
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Recurring gifts are the bedrock of our Foundation and help keep our work sustainable. Please consider becoming a monthly donor; even a small amount makes a big impact! |
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