BUENA PARK, CA – Buena Park School District has teamed up with several local entities to boost focus on literacy through the “Leaders are Readers” campaign, which aims to showcase how reading can allow children to reach great heights.

Buena Park School District Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes met with leaders from the City of Buena Park, the Buena Park Library District, the Buena Park Police Department and Centralia Elementary School District on Aug. 9 to discuss what literacy meant to them.

“I want everyone in our community to know the wonderful opportunities that the Buena Park Library has available for anyone with a library card,” Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes said. “Reading can take you to entirely new worlds, shape your creative mind and build the very foundations of your future. Reading is a fundamental cornerstone of all our lives.”

Buena Park Library District Director Helen Medina said the library is more than just books – it’s a place where the community can safely gather for fun activities, where teens can hang out and people of all ages can access tools and information to improve their lives. The library also loans out items like ukuleles, mobile hotspots, tablets and offers passes to California State Parks.

“Literacy has the power to open doors that would be unavailable otherwise,” Medina said. “In addition to providing career and education opportunities, reading for recreation can be enjoyable and exciting. It is important to foster a love of reading at a young age to encourage life-long learning.”

Buena Park Police Department Interim Chief of Police Frank Nunes said that being the child of immigrant parents who emphasized that literacy had a major effect on his life and career since it instilled a lifelong thirst for knowledge in him that drives him to this day.

Buena Park City Manager Aaron France said literacy promotes lifelong learning, making readers more aware of their local government and inspiring them to be more active participants in their communities.

“The Leaders are Readers campaign is an effort to demonstrate a passion for reading and the wonderful things that come as a result of reading,” said Norma Martinez, Centralia Elementary School District Superintendent. “Through reading, we can feed our thirst for knowledge. We can travel in our imaginations and can learn so many wonderful things.”

The Buena Park Library District is currently undergoing major renovations – including new heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing systems. Guests will be able to enjoy the updates when the library opens on Sept. 12, 2022.

To sign up for a library card and start enjoying the facilities, programs and events: click here.

PHOTO CAPTION:

LIBRARY1: (Right to left) Buena Park City Manager Aaron France, Buena Park Police Department Interim Chief of Police Frank Nunes, Buena Park School District Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes, Centralia Elementary School District Superintendent Norma Martinez and Buena Park Library District Director Helen Medina outside of the Buena Park Library. These five are spearheading the Leaders are Readers campaign, bringing awareness to the positive effects of literacy.