BOONE—Educators from public and private schools in Cochabamba, Bolivia, will visit Appalachian State University June 12-19 to discuss a partnership that is expanding educational opportunities for children through the support of the only children’s library in Bolivia. 

The group includes author Gaby Vallejo, who won Bolivia’s highest prize in literature in 2003 and is founder of Biblioteca Th’uruchapitas, the only children’s library in her country.

The educators will discuss the founding of Biblioteca Th’uruchapitas, its activities for children, its importance to the country, and its relationship to Appalachian and the High Country on Monday, June 18, at 2:30 p.m., in Carol Grotnes Belk Library and Information Commons Room 114.  The program is open to the public.

Bolivia has a large population of children with great literacy needs which, if not met, puts their future as educated citizens in great risk. Public libraries in Bolivia do not allow patrons to check out books due to the high cost of the book as related to their average monthly salaries.

Biblioteca Th’uruchapitas does allow children to check out books. Vallejo says, “We believe that books and reading can change the world. This is why we want to lead children into the territory of words…because we believe that by growing up in the company of books, children can become the instigators of change in the world.”

Educators and students from Appalachian support Biblioteca Th’uruchapitas with “Operation Backpack” through which students in Appalachian’s study abroad programs to Bolivia take children’s books written in Spanish to the library. Public schools and campus groups also have raised funds to support construction of a permanent facility to house the library, which currently is in rented space.

The partnership between Appalachian and Biblioteca Th’uruchapitas received Sister Library status by the White House Centennial Commission in 2000.  It won the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Asahi Reading Promotion Award in 2003, including a $10,000 prize for the best reading promotion program in the world.

Appalachian’s Reich College of Education, Belk Library, the Appalachian Fifth Dimension program and the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies have organized and are hosting the educators’ visit.

To learn how you can support the children’s library in Bolivia, contact Dr. Linda Veltze at veltzela@appstate.edu.

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