“The San Juan del Sur Library Mobile project”
For five weeks this summer, Holton Elementary Schools Librarian Jessica Karns and her family lived in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, while Jessica volunteered with the San Juan del Sur Bibliotech Movil project.
Jessica found out about the project after discovering the Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All Program, a non-profit organization that provides resources for lending libraries in Central America.
“I wrote a letter to Jane Mirandette, the president of the program,” Jessica said. “She is also the director of the library in San Juan, and one thing led to another.”
While in San Juan, Jessica helped out the library in many areas.
“I worked on automating their mobile system. They have a bookmobile (a 4×4 Toyota Helux) that delivers materials to schools that wouldn’t have access to library services otherwise,” she said. “Some days I went out on the mobile project. Other days I entered data into the program.”
Working in a library overseas offers a different perspective, Jessica said. “I learned so much about working with volunteers, dealing with different technology challenges, and communicating with Spanish-speakers. It informs the job I do at home.” Also, the library in San Juan hosts library school students and welcomes volunteer librarians.
Jessica has always been interested in library development projects, but with traveling with a family can provide additional challenges.
“We were looking for a good family-friendly ‘fit’ for a Spanish teacher and a librarian. Admittedly we didn’t know much abo
ut Nicaragua beforehand, but now we can’t wait to get back,” she said. “It was all the things you look for when traveling with children. It’s safe and easily accessible. In addition, we found an incredibly welcoming community, a thriving library situation and helpful staff members. And, of course, the beautiful beaches, surfing, hiking, and horseback riding weren’t so bad either.”
Jessica’s husband is a Spanish and ESL teacher they have two sons, who will be two and four in September. While in Nicaragua, Jessica’s husband studied Spanish and offered English courses.
For more information about the Hester J. Hodgdon Libraries for All program, please visit the program’s website. For more information about the San Juan del Sur Library, please visit the library’s website.
Heather Braum is the Technology Librarian at NEKLS. She can be reached by phone, by email (hbraum (at) nekls.org), or through several online chat services (look Heather up by her email address). Visit the 
