• 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 30nations comprising of the Organization for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment (OECD). (Source: Secretaria de Educación Publica)

Reading in México

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 computersavailable 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.

• 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.

Advantages of Reading

• Through technology, our community can have access to new information andeven more books.

• Free access to computers and the internet breaks barriers and creates bridgesto learning communities.

• Students are able to interact with technology and be equipped with the toolsto meet the demands of an increasingly globalized world.

Reading and Technology

Mission:

To be a catalyst for change by providing free library and computer services tochildren 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.

Oxford Community Library

Promoting habits and values

Encourage reading as well as strengthening moral values of our students andthose who participate in the program.

Our students share their time helping others, starting a generation ofresponsible altruistic adults and peacemakers.

Books for Kids, teenagers, and adults. Computer and Internet Labs. Work areas, art room, puppet theater.

Oxford Community Library

Building project for a library that will provide:

Oxford Community Library

Oxford Project

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.

Transportation

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, participatingin puppet shows and community projects.

Librarian and two assistants with volunteering students.

Community Volunteers.

Highly qualified teaching staff and continuously trained both in Mexicoand USA.

The Oxford Library Program was created in 2003 with classroom librarieswhich then became a stand alone library for students and the community toaccess.

Currently we have more than 2,000 selections and 250 books per week arechecked out.

Why Oxford?

Wonderful things are happening at…

Oxford is known in our community for their kind spirit, bearing anannual program to support community service to :

¤ Casas Hogar ¤ Abrigatón

¤ Juguetón ¤ Hambretón

We also provide a number of scholarships such as sport, academic, andcultural , granting around 5 millon of pesos this past school year 2010 -2011.

Why Oxford?

Oxford recieved the Sekula Memorial Library recognition inEdinburg Tx. For its International Reading Program.

FESTIBA (Festival OF International Books & Arts )

South Texas Literacy Coalition.

SEP Recognition.

Oxford Reading Achievements

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