Books+Tortillas=Life.

• Author: Smith, Sherrie Kline
• Position: Books are essential for life - Brief Article

SALVADORAN librarians are strong defenders of the importance of books, reading, and libraries in national development and personal growth. As internationally renowned author Manlio Argueta, director of the National Library, once commented, "Books are like bread and tortillas--essential for life."

Maria Fidelina Fernandez Leiva, the librarian at Santiago Texacuangos, wholeheartedly embraces this philosophy and works diligently to help her community have the resources necessary for development and growth.

Santiago Texacuangos isn't listed in any Salvadoran guidebook. But it should be. With a near perfect climate, 360 days of sunshine, and a spectacular view, the village merits a visit. It's only a Fifteen-minute drive from the capital, San Salvador, on the road to Comalapa and the international airport. At the Santo Tomas exit, follow the road that twists and turns up S curves and arrives at the town's plaza. On the right sits a charming church; on the left are the city offices and municipal library. Between lies the plaza, bound on the far side with railings to prevent people falling off the precipice. Round, concrete tables provide picnic space. The main attraction, though, is the breathtaking panorama of the valley and the deep-blue Lake Ilopango, nestled among some of El Salvador's twenty-five volcanoes. A 135-year-old ceiba tree, planted in January 1865, stands sentinel and shades the plaza. Santiago Texacuangos combines the Nahuatl name that means "place of high stones" with that of the patron saint, Santiago, or Saint James.

The approximately seventeen thousand Texacuangans have reelected the mayor, Alda Mendoza de Estupinian, three times. Among her many projects has been the establishment of the public library, Biblioteca "Professor Nicolas de la Cruz.

"About one thousand people use the library each month," say librarian Fernandez, who has worked there since it opened in 1993. "Of course, there are the students who need help with schoolwork. Most of our schools don't have libraries. Then, in our community, we have art...