Library in La Jara now bears her name

LA JARA — The Conejos Library Board held a dedication ceremony on June 17 commemorating Maria DeHerrera for bringing 47 years of literacy to the county.

The Conejos Library District renamed the branch in La Jara the Conejos County Library Maria DeHerrera Branch. Due to DeHerrera's efforts, Conejos County has three thriving libraries, “unique for the size of population in one of the poorest counties in the nation,” remarked Sharon Morris from the Colorado State University, Department of Education, which has provided many of the grants through the years for early literacy, computers and books.

"She is a true leader,” Morris said.

The dedication ceremony opened with the Chairman of the Library Board, Celina Espinoza. She praised DeHerrera's “fierce determination, creative fundraising, and vision for the library” and recalled de Herrera often telling her, “This is my baby.”

DeHerrera was responsible for opening the first library in Conejos County in La Jara in 1978. In the ensuing years, and many grants later, branches were opened in Antonito and Capulin. The La Jara library was originally part of the county.

After many budget cuts, DeHerrera as director was able to make the library its own district through two mill levies which are still in effect today. Chairman of the board, Espinoza thanked DeHerrera “for 47 wonderful years. She did a good job...no regrets. We are blessed to have her.”

Shery Abeyta, one of DeHerrera's daughters, thanked her family and shared her mother's influence — "...the importance of education and giving access to books to kids."

Abeyta is a retired professor emeritus from Adams State University, in accounting and tax help.

Morris then shared memories and thoughts about DeHerrera. She has known DeHerrera for 20 years and recalled a time when DeHerrera skinned a deer at the library “to get more men to use the library.”

Morris commended DeHerrera's “belief in the power of reading. Kids need access to books...(her) hard work, inspiration and dedication shows she loves what she does and does it because it is the right thing to do. (de Herrera) makes an impact. She is a true community leader and continues to create new ways to improve the library."

DeHerrera spoke for a few minutes, first thanking her husband Joel, then family, the board, staff, and volunteers. She shared her inspiration where she first gained a love of books.

"My teacher in Center would read us stories but not tell us the ending and say, you have to go to the library to find out the rest of the story," she said. This is when DeHerrera realized, “everyone has access to the library.”

Through her early jobs at Sanford and involvement with the Right to Read program, DeHerrera learned about grant writing — an integral part of her job. DeHerrera is currently applying for a DOLA (Department of Local Affairs) grant to expand a computer technology room.

Espinoza mentioned some of the other programs DeHerrera has been involved in, like offering quilting and cooking classes at the library. DeHerrera brought the Vietnam Wall to Conejos when it was first a travelling exhibit.

Espinoza feels de Herrera continues to “look ahead...she meets people where they are at."