SANTA ANA : Library Receives Gift of Books in Spanish

The Santa Ana Public Library has received more than 740 new Spanish-language books as a gift from the Mexican consulate, library officials said.

The donated volumes include children’s picture books, encyclopedias, art and science texts on each state in the Mexican Republic and bestsellers such as “Like Water for Chocolate,” said librarian Ninfa Duran.

Mexican Consul Felipe Soria Ayuso presented the books, worth an estimated $5,000, to library director Rob Richard during a brief ceremony at the Mexican consulate, Duran said.

“These books are greatly needed in the library because the percentage of Spanish-speaking readers here is higher than for English-speaking readers,” Duran said. The gift was especially welcome now, Duran said, “because of budget constraints. We can’t buy as many books as we used to.”