Sister Libraries Project
Appalachian State University and Cochabamba, Bolivia
It all began in 1978 when a group of teachers from Cochabamba, Bolivia began an ongoing reading and writing workshop and called it the "Pedagogical Experiences Workshop." In order to connect with other international groups, they became members of the International board of Books for Young People (IBBY).
In 1990 the Workshop of Pedagogical Experiences founded the only children's library in Bolivia with donations of books by the members and books purchased by funds raised from reading and writing courses taught around the city. They named the library "Th'uruchapitas," which in Quechua means "cheeks of clay" referring to the faces of indigenous children chapped by the harsh climate of the pampas.
Impressed with the Workshop's success and untiring devotion, Linda Veltze, a library science professor at Appalachian State University, developed a plan to add to the library's collection of books. She solicited Spanish and bilingual books from publishers and government agencies to donate to the Library of Th'uruchapitas. Veltze also applied for "Sister Library" status through the White House Centennial Commission making Appalachian State University the only U.S. university linked to a children's library in South America. In 2000, "Sister Library" plaques were presented to the Library of Th'uruchapitas and Appalachian State University, as well as to the town of Boone and the city of Cochabamba.
Linda Veltze initiated an education/outreach program on Bolivia in the public schools of North Carolina, through the Partnership Program of the Reich College of Education. Library Science students have developed links and activities relating the study of Bolivia to the established curriculum of the NC public schools. Terry Sack and Al Greene, Professors in the Human Development and Psychological Counseling Department developed "Operation Backpack." Their students carry donated books to the library on their annual trips to study in the city. Other ASU faculty members have joined these study abroad courses, ensuring that their students not only carry the books, but interact with the library staff and the children who use the library as well. Donations of books or monetary contributions to the Th'uruchapitas Library should be mailed to Dr. Linda Veltze, Appalachian State University Library Science Program, Dept. LES, Boone, NC 28608. Checks should be made out to Biblioteca Th'uruchapitas.
The Instructional Materials Center in Belk Library is the "Sister Library" to "Th'uruchapitas" in Cochabamba. In 2003, Pat Farthing and Sue Hisle developed this web site to provide information about the project; list selected resources published for K-12 students and teachers; and share lesson plans for K-12 teachers. As new resources are published and additional lesson plans are developed, they will be added to this web site so check back often. Multimedia kits are available for local groups to use as an introduction to the Sister Libraries Project fund raising efforts. Contact Pat Farthing for information and availablility of kits in the IMC. Kits are also available for purchase by contacting Dr. Linda Veltze, e-mail: veltzela@appstate.edu