OXNARD : Consulate Gives Schools Books in Spanish

Pulling one volume after another out of the small cardboard boxes, Barbara Simmons smiled as she ran her hand across the books’ bright and shiny covers.

All of the books Simmons unpacked are in Spanish, a language she doesn’t understand. But that did not dim the Channel Islands High School librarian’s excitement.

Under a program sponsored by the Mexican government, the Mexican consulate in Oxnard has donated three, 170-volume sets of Spanish-language books to libraries at Channel Islands, Oxnard and Santa Paula high schools.

Harrison and the librarians from the other two high schools each picked up their sets at the Oxnard Union High School District office Monday.

Novels, short story collections, cookbooks and dictionaries--each set of books covers a wide array of topics. Selected by Mexican educators, the books are designed to appeal both to native Spanish speakers and to English-speaking students trying to master a second language.

The selection includes many books that cash-conscious librarians would never think to buy, but which certainly appeal to youth, Harrison said.

“I would never have bought this,” she said, holding up a paperback called “The Young John Lennon” by a Latin American author. “But they’ll love it.”

About 60% of the 2,600 students at Channel Islands High School are Latino. And roughly two-thirds of these students have only limited English skills.

But of the 21,000 books in the school library, fewer than 500 are in Spanish.

Because most Spanish-language books are published in foreign countries, U.S. libraries must buy expensive imports. While hardcover books in English run about $17 to $19, the same volumes in Spanish typically cost twice as much, Harrison said.

On top of the high cost of Spanish books, many California school libraries have suffered drastic budget cuts in recent years because of the state fiscal crisis. The result is that schools have been unable to buy the books needed to serve the growing number of students who know little English.

The donated books will also help English-speaking students who are taking advanced placement courses in the language for college credit, Harrison said.

The Mexican government is donating identical sets of the books to more than 200 high schools in California and to other schools across the country, said Luis Ramirez, the Mexican consul in Oxnard.

Ramirez said he hopes the books will encourage Spanish-speaking students to read more and learn about their native culture.

“It’s very important for students to know their roots,” Ramirez said.