New Tribal Library:
A Beacon of Future Educational Opportunity

It is appropriate that shortly before three Tribal members graduate from high school, the Tribe held an official grand opening for its library, located in the Tribe's community center.

The ceremony, held May 20, marked the beginning of an organized library resource for Tribal members and their families to use and enjoy.

For years, the tribe stocked books in the center, however there was little to no organization, indexing and security for the books. The Library is funded under the Institute of Museum and Library Service and in March, the Tribe hired Barbara Silva as its first librarian to properly organize, catalogue, shelve and manage the library.

Silva brings with her experience as a high school teacher and most importantly, knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System, one of the primary filing systems used in libraries throughout the world. Barbara also worked at NASA's Ames Research Center as a model spacecraft researcher.

The grand opening ceremony was a cultural affair with the Tribe's dancers performing as well as soapstone carving. Chairman Fonseca gave a short opening thank you for all attendees and James Marquez, the Director for the Foothill Indian Education Alliance, performed the opening prayer. Tribal Council member Rhonda Dickerson gave a speech and acknowledged the Hospice Thrift Store, Candy Tyme and the Shingle Springs Homeowners Association of Placerville for their donations to the Library.

Dickerson also honored Silva for all her hard work in making the grand opening happen, as well as the achievements of three young Tribal members who will work as library assistants: Victoria Dickerson, Lily Godsey and Misty Godsey.

Local educational and library officials attended the event, including The El Dorado Roses, several county librarians, members of Friends of the Library and El Dorado Office of Education Superintendent, Vicki Barber.

Silva estimates that there are nearly 2000 books in the library currently with plans to regularly update the collection. In addition the Friends of the Library invited the Tribe to choose books from their collection and the local librarians who attended the event offered their technical assistance. The Tribe very much appreciates these offers to advance its educational facility.

The tribe was overwhelmed by the kindness and would like to also thank Maggie and Betty from the community, who volunteered getting the collection ready, along with Lorna Roscoe, who is a reading specialist, and will continue to volunteer her time one afternoon each week.