El Paso Public Library wins 2001 Mora Award
Contact: Miguel A. García-Colón
312-747-0666
For Immediate Release
March 2002
El Paso Public Library wins 2001 Mora Award
REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, is proud to announce that El Paso (Texas) Public Library is the winner of the Estela and Raúl Mora Award 2001 celebrating el Día del los Niños / Día de los Libros (Day of children and books). A record 17 award applications were received from Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Nevada and other parts of the country.
"El Paso was selected for their depth and breadth of the coalition that was created around their celebration and their spectacular outcomes," said Award Committee Chair Miguel A. García-Colón. "By collaborating with city agencies, businesses and private individuals, the library really made el Día del los Niños / Día de los Libros a citywide event that brought out 14,000 participants."
The library's all-day celebration included a proclamation signed by the Mayor and City Council, storytelling, hands-on activities, performances, motivational speeches, cultural and recreational activities and a parade with 200 participants that included children, local celebrities and performance groups. The city's public transportation agency "Sun Metro" announced free rides on all routes for all children up to 18 years old on April 28, 2001.
"El Paso Public Library has set a nationwide example of turning el Día del los Niños / Día de los Libros into a special day in the lives of a truly deserving community," García-Colón said. "We are proud of all the libraries who shared their events with us, and we're glad that more libraries are participating each year." El Paso Public Library will receive a $500 award and a plaque.
The award was established in 2000 by poet Pat Mora and her siblings, in honor of their parents, to stimulate participation in and recognition of el Día del los Niños / Día de los Libros. For more information about the award, call Miguel García-Colón at 312-747-0666.
