The Colorado Association of Libraries and the International Library and Cultural Exchange Interest Group is pleased to announce that University Archives at Colorado State University-Pueblo and the University Library at the  University of Colorado at Boulder have both received grants of $1500 for programs that enhance cultural understanding.

The CSU-Pueblo Archive’s project will support an exhibit and public presentation relating to La Cucaracha, a project focusing on the Chicano Movement in the San Luis Valley.  The traveling exhibit and presentation will include enlargements of newspaper articles, excerpts from oral history interviews, and artifacts highlighting issues such as bi-lingual education, land grant  disputes, discrimination in Pueblo schools, the student movement at CU-Boulder and CSU-Pueblo, and access to health care for Hispanic populations in Pueblo.  The exhibit will be on display at the CSU-Pueblo library and then travel throughout the state.  A panel discussion about La Cucaracha will be hosted by CSU-

Beverly Allen

Pueblo, including people interviewed for the project and Project Director, Jose Ortega, will take place during Hispanic Heritage Month. University Archivist, Beverly Allen, said “This grant will help further the Archives mission to preserve the ethnic heritage of Southern Colorado and to educate Colorado citizens about a little known, but important, part of history.”

The University of Colorado at Boulder project seeks to strengthen existing relationships and form new partnerships with international students and student organizations. In the fall of 2015, CU Boulder had a total of 2446 students from over 100 countries.  The library recognizes a need to promote intercultural understanding and inclusivity by creating programs that foster student engagement, belonging, and participation to embrace the

Philip White, Xiang Li, Beth Dalton, Benjamin Hall, Carol Siu, Mark Locy

evolving culture at CU.  The university library will be working with the Office of International Education, the Office of Diversity Affairs, the International Student and Scholar Services, and the Cultural Unity and Engagement Services, and the Cultural Unity and Engagement Center.   The project will include activities such as an international photo contest on “Libraries and Information Landscapes,” an international talent show, and “speed friending.”  Beth Dalton, Outreach and Services Specialist at the library said:   “The University of Colorado Boulder Libraries are grateful to ILCE-IG for its generous grant, which will support new international programming within our library system.”

The Colorado Association of Libraries International Library and Cultural Exchange Interest Group (ILCE-IG) has two main goals: to support individual and library partnerships and activities that enhance cultural understanding and to support cultural programming and activities that celebrate ethnic and immigrant cultures in Colorado. Janet Lee, Chair of the CAL Interest Group said:  “We are pleased to provide these grants to UC-Pueblo and CU-Boulder.  They help us to further our goals and promote the understanding of all the vibrant cultures that live and visit Colorado.”

For further information, contact Kathy Plath at Interest Group <cal.ilceig@gmail.com>

For PDF version of news release, click here