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The Cerra Vista Elementary School in Hollister celebrated the grand opening of its Little Free Library on Oct. 12.
According to Principal Tami Ortiz, the library was donated to the school by the Dominguez and Bravo families in honor of their grandmother, Virginia Dominguez, who loved reading.
“The Parent Teacher Organization had been doing a beautification project here,” Ortiz said, “and this adds to their project because as soon as you come to our school, you see this gorgeous little library.”
Virginia Dominguez’s granddaughter Lia Bravo confirmed that she donated the library on behalf of her grandmother to the school, where her great-grandchildren attend including Lucy Bravo, Addie Bravo, Evelyn Bravo, Benjamin Bravo, Mateo Dominguez, and Marley Dominguez.
Ozitz said the library will be open from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, as well as during school breaks, holidays and weekends.
“We encourage a love of reading among families,” she said, “Kids can come, take a book, go out to the playground, read it, then put it back. Parents can come to our benches, read with their children, and of course take a book home.”
The books were provided by Hill’s Bookstore, and owner Kimberley Hill said she selected “a good variety of children’s books that would fit the age range from TK to middle grade, and made sure we had a good little balance for every level of reading.”
Ortiz said the school will restock the library as it empties, and is also encouraging the community to contribute.
“We hope it will be ‘give one, get one,’” Ortiz said. “So that if a family can bring a book that their kids are done with, they can put it in the library and then take a new one.”
Cerra Vista Elementary School student Clayton Hagan heard about the library from his mother, Ali Hagan, who was part of the ribbon-cutting. Clayton said his favorite books are the “The Magic Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osborne. He said he liked the little library because “it helps the school and the community.”
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