Tag Archives: el paso public library

On Wednesday, city officials announced that the El Paso Public Library received national recognition as one of 25 national winners in the “City Hall Selfie Day” photo contest organized by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL).

Appropriately enough, the public library won in the category of Best Library Selfie. On August 15, the ELGL asked local government workers from around the country to post pictures of themselves, along with their workplaces or service locations, on social media with the hashtag #cityhallselfieday.

The library posted a picture featuring their youth services staff along with Edgar the puppet, a children’s section mascot, in front of the main library. The ELGL wrote, “Edgar & the youth services staff bring home the gold medal! You could put Edgar in any picture, and he’d compete for the top prize.”

The City Hall Selfie Day event seeks to bring awareness to the need for community engagement at the local government level be it city, county or special district. It’s a day to showcase the love of local government, employees, community members, and volunteers.

Along with receiving national recognition and a cool trophy, the library won a Bluetooth selfie stick to continue to engage El Pasoans by posting awesome photos on their social media accounts.

ELGL is a nationwide, big tent local government organization with the mission of connecting, communicating, and educating about local government topics.

According to ELGL officials, their goal is to “Build the Bench” for the next generation of local government leadership by creatively tackling trending topics like civic engagement, infrastructure investment, the changing landscape of public communications, diversity and work/life balance.

To learn more about the ELGL visit their website.

To learn more about the El Paso Public Library, follow the library on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The El Paso Public Library will return a 355-year-old book to its original owner, the Guadalupe Mission, at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 12 at a Tom Lea Month event, An Evening at Misión de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, in Ciudad Juarez.

The book called “Garcia Manuscript” was written by Fray Garcia, the founder of the mission. It documents the burials attended to by the church in the first few years of the mission’s history beginning in 1663. The book was taken from the mission by U.S. researcher, John Curd Sr., the night before the Battle of Juarez in 1911.

The El Paso Public Library has made several attempts in the past to return this historic document without any success. Recently, library staff contacted the mission and both parties agreed to meet during the event. The book will be handed over by Director of Libraries, Mark Pumphrey, and received by the Bishop of Juarez, Jose Guadalupe Torres Campos.

“We have preserved this historic manuscript for the past few decades and it is a pleasure to be able return it to its original owner,” said Director of Libraries, Mark Pumphrey. “This event is the ideal time and place to return it to the Guadalupe Mission.”

According to an account of those events written by John Curd Jr., “On the afternoon prior to the Battle of Juarez of the Mexican Revolution beginning in 1911, [Professor John Curd] was at work in the archives of the church when he was suddenly urged by the priests to return home to El Paso.

In the haste of collecting his papers he inadvertently carried with him the First Folio of the church’s history to his home in El Paso, Texas.”

Curd intended to return the document to the mission, after the revolution, but was unable to do so before his untimely death in 1913. The book remained in the possession of John Curd, Jr. until he left El Paso in 1923.  It was then placed in the Main Library’s vault, at the urging of the City librarian at the time, Maud Sullivan, where it remains today.

IBF Featherweight World Champion, Jennifer Han is joining the El Paso Public Library and all libraries nationwide to encourage the public, especially students, to obtain a free library card as part of Library Card Signup Month.

“Throughout the school year, our library offers a variety of programs to stimulate an interest in reading and learning,” said El Paso Public Library Director, Mark Pumphrey. “Story hours expose young children to the joy of reading and encourage school readiness, while older children have access to technology and digital tools and the help from library staff to use those resources.”

Library Card Signup Month is also a time to highlight the supportive role libraries and librarians play in transforming lives and communities through education.

Library Card Signup Month has been held each September since 1987 to mark the beginning of the school year because library cards are essential for students.

Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who read at home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning

Library cards are free for students and provide a wealth of resources that can help anyone succeed in school and in life. Students can use library cards to borrow books, magazines, music CDs and DVDs. Students can take practice exams for grade school, college entrance, military and civil service, such as the ACT, SAT, GMAT, LSAT and ASVAB.

A library card also means access to computers and free internet access to download e-books, digital magazines, audiobooks, music and videos from the library website.

Getting a library card is easy. All people need is a government issued photo I.D. with a current address, such as a driver’s license. Visit any library branch and register. Students under 13 need their parent’s permission to register.

For more information on how to get a library card visit www.elpasolibrary.org.

The El Paso Public Library has flipped another page into the digital age by creating a mobile App for local library goers.

According to officials with the El Paso Library, the app “makes it more convenient for library users to access library materials and account information.”

Officials add that the free App is available on the Google Play and iPhone app stores.  The El Paso Library App is a more useful way to access information, such as:

• Access to books and materials catalog
• Check out and reserve materials
• Download digital material (audio books, eBooks, magazines, audio and video)
• Check account status to see if there are any books overdue or outstanding fines
• Store library card information
• Find library event information
• Find library locations, contact information and hours of operation
• Scan a book at a bookstore before purchasing to see if it is available at the library.

For more information on the library App, call the El Paso Public Library at (915) 212-3201 or visit their website.

CoWork Oasis and the El Paso Public Library have partnered to offer budding business owners “Book It & Launch El Paso” workshops throughout the community.

According to CoWork Oasis officials, the workshops are an “entrepreneurial-focused initiative that will deliver free informative workshops from industry professionals at local libraries throughout the community.”

Workshops range in content from starting a business to building e-commerce websites and apps, as well as understanding emerging industries, intellectual property protection, and social media marketing best practices.

Each workshop at the locations will have both morning and afternoon sessions.

Below is the schedule for Book It & Launch El Paso workshops:

Book It & Launch El Paso Kick Off

Saturday, July 28 at 9am-12pm, CoWork Oasis, 114 Texas Avenue
Attendees will learn what it takes to start a business using the “Business Model Canvas.”  Learn how to craft a value proposition statement and pivot by using the customer discovery process.

Intro to Starting a Business

Friday, August 10 at 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm

Pebble Hills Library, 12480 Pebble Hills Boulevard

Attendees will learn how to use the business model canvas and learn how to conduct the customer discovery process to help validate business ideas. Learn how to set up an e-commerce website and how to use social media marketing in the 21st Century environment.

Navigating Your Business

Friday, August 17 at 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm

Westside Library, 125 Belvidere Street

Attendees will learn about regional emerging industries startups have a higher probability of penetrating. Learn about the makerspace movement and prototyping at a lower cost. The workshop will close with an introduction into intellectual capital protection.

Tech Tools for Small Business

Friday, August 24 at 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm

Memorial Park Branch, 3200 Copper Avenue

Attendees will learn about the cutting-edge technology tools that you can use the help your business operations more impactful. Get introduced to app design and where to go to start building your first app. The workshop will close with learning about “CoWorking” and how to use a CoWorking space to launch your business.

To see the complete schedule and register for these free workshops, visit  CoWorkOasis.com/launch

The El Paso Public Library encourages every one of all ages to snuggle up with a good book this winter by participating in the Season’s Reading book club.

The club kicks off Saturday, December 16, at all library branches. To register for the Season’s Reading book club, visit any public library branch or go online.

The club requirements are simple; register online or at any library branch, read at least three books and submit a reading log with a list of the titles read.

The book club encourages everyone to spend more time reading together this holiday season. Books such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss and Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” are just two of the many holiday books available for loan at library branches.

Those who complete the reading requirements will be eligible to win prizes and receive a certificate of completion (prizes vary by branch).

The El Paso Public Library is celebrating Teen Read Week™ through October 14, featuring the theme “Unleash Your Story.”

The libraries will hold special events and programs spotlighting all the resources and activities available at the library and to encourage teenagers to read.

Teen Read Week™ is a time to celebrate reading for fun while encouraging teens to take advantage of reading in all its forms; books, magazines, e-books, audiobooks and more. It is also a great opportunity to encourage teens to become regular library users.

Thousands of libraries, schools and bookstores across the country are holding similar events.

Teen Read Week™ is a national adolescent literacy initiative created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). It began in 1998 and is held annually in October. Its purpose is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users.

For a complete list of programs for Teen Read Week, visit the El Paso Public Library online.

The El Paso Public Library once again hosts the annual Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at Washington Park located at 4201 East Paisano.

As part of the celebration, smaller events will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Armijo, Esperanza Moreno and Sergio Troncoso branches.

More than 10,000 books will be given away during the celebration of children, literacy and health that began in 1997 as a partnership between the El Paso Public Library and the Parks and Recreation Department and other community organizations. Aside from free books, there will be live entertainment, food booths, health screenings, arts and crafts and more.

Sun Metro will provide free bus rides for children up to 18 years of age all day.

The event is free and children are encouraged to bring backpacks or reusable bags to carry books and other goodies. Free parking is available at the El Paso County Coliseum and a free shuttle will take guests to and from the park.

The purpose of the celebration is to encourage children and parents to read more and become more physically active. Studies show that reading is one of the most important activities in which a child can take part and is one of the primary variables in the academic and career success of young people.

The annual event is one of El Paso’s longest running free festivals and one of the largest literacy events in the Southwest. For more information, visit the El Paso Public Library.

The El Paso Public Library invites the public to visit the traveling exhibit Explore Space: A Cosmic Journey that is on display at the Irving Schwartz Library located at 1865 Dean Martin.

The national traveling exhibition investigates the fascinating world of space, science and astronomy.

Explore Space offers fun opportunities for residents to learn about space topics, such as the solar system, space observation, space exploration, space weather, star formation, asteroids, comets, and much more.

More than 10 public events are planned at the Schwartz Library. Opportunities are available for educators and students to tour and interact within the exhibit.

The exhibit is open to the public through May 20. For a full list of events and programs visit www.elpasolibrary.org.

The El Paso Public Library is now accepting entries for its annual Youth Poetry Contest open to area students.

The 27^th annual contest requires students from 1^st to 12^th grade to submit original poems that will be judged separately in each grade level and language. The poems will be judged on originality, creativity, clarity, and spelling.

Three winners from each grade level will be selected, along with two honorable mentions from each library branch. Winners and honorable mentions will be invited to an awards ceremony with an opportunity to read their poems to an audience.

All selected poems will be published in an official poetry contest booklet.

The deadline for entries is Saturday, April 22. For more information, including rules, visit the El Paso Public Library website.

September is Library Card Sign-up month and the El Paso Public Library encourages parents to equip their children with the most important school supply of all – a library card.

Students can use library cards to borrow books, magazines, music CDs and DVDs. Students can take practice exams for grade school, college entrance, military and civil service such as the ACT, SAT, GMAT, LSAT and ASVAB.

A library card also means access to computers and free internet access to download e-books, digital magazines, audiobooks, music and video from the library website.

Obtaining a library card is free and easy. The following requirements are needed to get a library card from the El Paso Public Library:

• Visit any branch and complete a library card application form
• Show valid government issued photo ID. If the ID does not include a current address, a utility bill or other approved document with current address is required
• Military and consular personnel may show U.S. government issued IDs but must also provide proof of address within the United States
• Children under 13 years of age need a parent or guardian present to get a library card
• Those who live outside the City of El Paso may get a library card by paying a non-refundable fee of $25 for 6 months or $50 for 1 year of service
• Library cards cannot be issued to people residing outside of the United States

Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September since 1987 to mark the beginning of the school year because library cards are essential for students.

Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

For more information, call the El Paso Public Library at (915) 212-READ or visit www.elpasolibrary.org

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department and the El Paso Public Library invite the public to take advantage of several free family-friendly activities in Downtown El Paso on Saturday, August 20.

The Downtown Art and Farmers Market is great place where families can pick up locally grown produce or homemade jams and jellies from market vendors. Kids can also work on back-to-school themed arts and crafts with one of the market-teaching artists. The market is located on Anthony Street and is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The El Paso Museum of Art, located at 1 Arts Festival Plaza, invites families to learn about Mexican folk-art traditions through the Museum’s retablos collection. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. visitors can be the first to play the new EPMA Retablo Loteria and listen to mariachi music provided by Mariachi Azetca from El Dorado High School and Los Gavilanes from Socorro High School.

Children ages 6 to 14 can head to the Creation Lab to create their entry for the 20th Anniversary Children’s Drawing Contest, Este es mi México (Let’s Draw about Mexican Music and Traditions). Refreshments will also be provided.

The El Paso Museum of History invites visitors to learn about the Woman’s Club of El Paso while making arts and crafts from the border region. Activities will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum located at 510 N. Santa Fe. There will also be a guided tour of A ‘Giant’ Story: When Hollywood Came to West Texas at 11 a.m.

The El Paso Public Library will host an end of summer party at its main branch, 501 N. Oregon. Starting at11 a.m. visitors can play classic video games with Empire of Gaming or enjoy an obstacle course, water balloons and more. There will also be a scratch art workshop for adults at 2 p.m.

The El Paso Public Library is adding new GED testing centers at seven public library branches across the city.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provided a $10,000 grant that will be used to purchase equipment, train staff and provide spaces specifically for GED testing at certain public library locations.

Anyone needing to take the GED test will be able to do so on weekends and evenings during normal library hours. Having more testing centers in El Paso also means less wait times for students who take the test for career and educational advancement.

“Students who obtain their GED will have greater opportunities to pursue college and career advancements. The City’s economy will also benefit by having GED holders entering the job market and by having a better trained and educated workforce,” said El Paso Public Library interim co-director Mark Pumphrey.

The addition of the seven new testing centers more than doubles the existing number of centers in El Paso from four to 11. The testing centers are located at the following library branches: Armijo, Main, Westside, Dorris Van Doren, Judge Marquez, Sergio Troncoso and Esperanza Acosta Moreno.

The library testing centers won’t charge additional fees to provide the testing facility however the GED testing service does charge for each section of the test. To find out more details on how to take the test or to schedule an exam visit https://home.pearsonvue.com/

The El Paso Public Library also offers free GED exam preparation classes. It is recommended that students prepare for the GED exam by studying beforehand at programs such as those offered for free by the library.

For more information on GED preparation classes, contact the El Paso Library at (915) 212-3245.