Reading rates are low in Mexico, with Mexicans reading on average half a book per year. Public libraries in Reynosa, Mexico have very few books (30,000) and computers (8) available for its population of 1 million people, resulting in 0.03 books and 0.000008 computers per person. In contrast, libraries in San Jose, California have many more resources available per capita. The Oxford Community Library aims to promote reading, learning, and technology access through building a new library with books, computer labs, and community spaces. It provides transportation and volunteers to serve community members of all ages.

2. Reading in México
• Daily reading is being replaced by television and video games
• On average, Mexicans read half a book each year
• 15% of the population are potential readers
• Only 2% read by habit
• The Mexican population ranks second to last in reading skills out of the 30
nations comprising of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD). (Source: Secretaria de Educación Publica)

3. Reading in Reynosa
• Reynosa, Mexico currently has around 1 million people.
• In its 3 public libraries there are around 30,000 books and only about 8 working
computers which were donated in 2002 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
available with free internet access.
• This amounts to 0.03 books available per person and 0.000008 computers
available per person.
• To compare, San Jose, California currently has a population of 945,000 people.
• It has 21 public libraries with its largest having over 1.6 million.
• Items and free internet access and computers in all of them.

4. Advantages of Reading
• Reading introduces children to learning and education.
• Family reading creates a special bond between parents and children and
encourages youngsters to be interested in reading. Reading to them everyday
creates a healthy habit.
• Happy endings in stories teach children problem solving and conflict
resolution.
• Reading inspires confidence and creates self-learners.

5. Reading and Technology
• Through technology, our community can have access to new information and
even more books.
• Free access to computers and the internet breaks barriers and creates bridges
to learning communities.
• Students are able to interact with technology and be equipped with the tools
to meet the demands of an increasingly globalized world.

6. Oxford Community Library
Mission:
To be a catalyst for change by providing free library and computer services to
children and young people from low-socio economic backgrounds.
Objectives:
 Encourage and promote the habit of reading.
 Equip children with the necessary skills to meet the challenges of an
increasingly globalized world.
 Provide new growth opportunities to those who are less privileged.
 Support the community by providing opportunities for social development.
 Implement our program in more places.

7. Oxford Community Library
Building project for a library that will provide:
 Books for Kids, teenagers, and adults.
 Computer and Internet Labs.
 Work areas, art room, puppet theater.
Promoting habits and values
 Encourage reading as well as strengthening moral values of our students and
those who participate in the program.
 Our students share their time helping others, starting a generation of
responsible altruistic adults and peacemakers.

8. Oxford Community Library
Oxford Project

9. Transportation
 School Bus will pick up community members from various
points in the city.
 Creating a safe and cost free way of getting to and from the library.

10. Personnel and Volunteers
 As part of our work-study program, students and volunteer parents donate a day
of the month reading stories, organizing games, helping sort out books, participating
in puppet shows and community projects.
 Librarian and two assistants with volunteering students.
 Community Volunteers.

11. Why Oxford?
 Highly qualified teaching staff and continuously trained both in Mexico
and USA.
 The Oxford Library Program was created in 2003 with classroom libraries
which then became a stand alone library for students and the community to
access.
 Currently we have more than 2,000 selections and 250 books per week are
checked out.
Wonderful things are happening at…

12. Why Oxford?
 Oxford is known in our community for their kind spirit, bearing an
annual program to support community service to :
¤ Casas Hogar ¤ Abrigatón
¤ Juguetón ¤ Hambretón
 We also provide a number of scholarships such as sport, academic, and
cultural , granting around 5 millon of pesos this past school year 2010 -
2011.

13. Oxford Reading Achievement
 Oxford recieved the Sekula Memorial Library recognition in
Edinburg Tx. For its International Reading Program.
 FESTIBA (Festival OF International Books & Arts )
 South Texas Literacy Coalition.
 SEP Recognition.

14. By dedicating ourselves to improving educational achievement
through reading and access to technology, we can
safeguard and nourish the peace and prosperity
of our community and nation…
M. F. Ayala
Educator