Socorro ISD’s Elfida P. Chavez Elementary School launched their new Little Free Library recently and dedicated it in memory of Richard Collier, who was a prominent educator at the campus for many years.
The school invited Collier’s family to a special ceremony for the opening of the self-serve library located in front of the school. A group of students and staff also joined in the festivities to commemorate Collier’s legacy and to celebrate the new library designed to give convenient access to books for students of all ages.
“I am so grateful to the Collier family for coming up with the idea and dedicating it in our school,” said Rosemary Yates, principal at Elfida P. Chavez Elementary School. “I believe Richard’s legacy will live on for many years to come and in many ways is in service to our children.”
The Collier family showed their gratitude for the dedication of the library by sharing bountiful stories of Richard Collier to students and staff and why they wanted to create the Little Free Library in his name.
“My husband’s main purpose in life was to be part of the children’s’ lives every day, and he made sure of that” said Veronica Collier, wife of Richard Collier. “Now with this kind gesture, we know that his purpose will carry on for many years, if not, forever.”
Collier’s oldest son Bryan Collier said his father was a public servant because he would always put others first.
“My father really lived for others, and I think education was his niche that he found,” he said. “What better way to commemorate my dad than to serve children with the love for books?”
Richard Collier was a special education teacher for over 16 years.
The Little Free Library at Elfida P. Chavez is a way to encourage students to read often and provides them with year-round access to free books.
Little Free Libraries are open to the community 24/7 and stay open during intersession, summer and holidays. Socorro ISD has some 20 Little Free Libraries at campuses across the district.
Students can take a book and leave it in its place for someone else to enjoy. Book donations also are always welcomed.
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