Expanding our Library to Increase Literacy

About this Project

Libertad Village's multilingual residents represent several of Belize's major ethnic groups. The local high school has struggled to develop a community of literate English speakers, however, due to the competing linguistic preferences of the students. This project seeks to expand the school's library, acquiring books, supplies, materials, and furniture to promote a positive environment for children to read and learn.

The library has been completed and is in use in the school and the community. The project united the efforts of dozens of community residents, students, alumni, teachers, and school leaders and has hosted several literacy enrichment activities. Teachers plan to avail themselves of the new facility in their lessons and students report high levels of interest in reading books. A library committee of seven students has been formed to maintain the new space. The committee has indexed all of the new reading materials so others can easily locate them.