(Video) The Biblioteca: If Our Walls Could Talk! [] Rotary SMA-Midday

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/I334ZO9R6aw

by Elizabeth Adlung

The Biblioteca has been a central feature of our community for over 65 years, but do you know about the history of the building and the beautiful murals that adorn the walls?  Who was the artist and what is their story?

As far back as 1734, the building was a refuge for the poor.  The government took over the building in 1862 and it fell into disrepair until 1958, when it was restored and repurposed as a public library.  The library’s founder was a Canadian-born expatriate, Helen McGregor Wale, who settled in San Miguel and started the library for the benefit of the children of the community.  The library is administered by a board of directors, currently headed by President Debra Broussard.

The Biblioteca contains one of the largest Spanish/English libraries in Mexico with thousands of books to borrow.  There is also a gift shop, special rooms for classes, a state-of-the-art theater for live performances, meeting rooms and the Zenteno café.  The large open courtyard is a popular gathering place for leisure and socializing

On Tuesday, July 19^th, Carmen Rioja and Marie Moebius will be our Guests and they will give us details about the Biblioteca and the many murals that adorn the walls.

Carmen Riojo is a writer and artist specializing in the restoration of historical and archaeological collections.  She participated in the restoration of Atotonilco and Canada de la Virgen.  She serves as Vice President of the Biblioteca.  She is also the Editor in Chiel of the Atencvion San Miguel newspaper.

Carmen Rioja will give us the details about the beautiful murals in the different rooms.  She will tell us all about the artist and the stories pictured in the murals.

Marie Moebius is the fund-raising manager of the Biblioteca.  She spends her time raising the money necessary to run all the programs and to continue fulfilling the library’s mission.  She is convinced that the Biblioteca is a fundamental tool to build our community.  Marie and her husband own the YAM Gallery, an art gallery dedicated to promoting international contemporary artists.

We are now meeting in the Sala Quetzal of the Biblioteca.  Please enter through the Relos 50A entrance.  You are also invited to join us for breakfast at the Zenteno Café starting at 8:15am.

If you would like to view the meeting via ZOOM, please sign up on our website. (www.rotarysmamidday.org) You’ll receive an email with instructions on how to be a part of this week’s meeting.

Rotary is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.

For more information about Rotary, contact our President, Lee Carter, at leecarco@gmail.com.

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