Through technology and in person, Arlington Public Library continues to make friends many miles from home.
Our latest adventure finds Youth Services librarian Nico Piro in Central America, following up on an exchange that brought a Costa Rican school librarian to Arlington last year.
As part of her visit, Nico spoke this week to 200 of her counterparts at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose, describing how Arlington provides vital library services to its community, with a special emphasis on her work with teens and reading.
The presentation was streamed by the U.S. Department of State to librarians in Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay and a Skype link allowed for a special live greeting from Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh and Costa Rican Ambassador to the United States Muni Figueres back at Central Library.
The American Embassy in San Jose also provided for a translation of Nico’s remarks. Just two weeks ago President Obama visited many of the sites Nico has seen with her hosts.
From San Jose to Ivano-Frankisvk to Zagreb to Petit-Goâve and beyond, Arlington Public Library continues making connections and exchanging ideas and cultures.
It’s what libraries do best at home and around the world.
Thank you so much for your visit! I was there and all I can say is that it was inspiring and amazing. You guys do a really remarkable work!
Having Nico here in Costa Rica supported our commitment with the library community. She added lots of ideas and showed that it is possible to work if we have imagination and enthusiasm!
Many thanks to Arlington Public Library for believing that partnerships initiatives work! Gracias Nico and Mariela!