Not whimsical, but necessary

While not a story about technology, I thought it was worth sharing an article I heard about on the ARSL (Association of Rural and Small Libraries) list. It's about a labor of love, a bookmobile.

Many of you know I'm a big fan of bookmobiles, but this one is different. It's a story about a burro and books. A biblioburro. I was especially inspired by the librarian, Luis Soriano, who understands the power of meeting potential patrons where they are: dining at his restaurant.

There is little money left over for such luxuries on his teacher’s salary of $350 a month. Already the family’s budget is so tight that he and his wife, Diana, opened a small restaurant, La Cosa Política, two years ago to help make ends meet.

Even among the restaurant’s clientele, mainly ranch hands and truck drivers with little formal education, the bespectacled Mr. Soriano sees potential bibliophiles. On the wall above tables laid out with grilled meat and fried plantains, he posts pages from Hoy Diario, the region’s daily newspaper, and prods diners into discussions about current events."

Read the article, and be sure to view the accompanying slide show. You'll be glad you did.

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