Write On Maz!
Library Fundraiser Salutes Local Authors
By Ruth Clarke
Mark January 10th on your calendars, buy a ticket for 200 pesos, and plan to attend Write on Maz! a fundraising event for the Mazatlán Membership Library that will be held in the patio of the Museo de Arte across from the library. When we think about public libraries in Canada or the United States, we might take them for granted, much like the municipal property taxes we pay, which includes subsidies for libraries. Not so here for the English readership. Only since 2001 has there been a lending library in Mazatlán, thanks to Joe Ketchum, who opened the library and donated approximately 1,500 books, some from his private collection and the rest donated by the Tucson Public Library, according to Loretta Gallacci, who has managed the library since 2004. When Loretta took over there were fewer than 3,000 books, only 35 members and 5 volunteers. But what Joe had started grew, and currently there are almost 6,000 items in the library, 271 members and 20 volunteers, according to Loretta. Among the items are videos, books in Spanish, and books about Mexico in English. “The library couldn’t operate—would not even exist, without the generous, ongoing support of the community it serves,” says Loretta.“Hardly a day goes by when we don´t receive a donation—from a single book to a van load. But the most generous donations come from David Bodwell, book publisher and owner of Mazatlán Book & Coffee Company—who comes
“In the first four years of the library’s existence, annual fundraisers and book sales were held—just to meet operating expenses,” Loretta explains. And as membership grew, the library became self-sufficient. But since rent, utilities and other expenses have risen, an accountant has been hired, and the library pays taxes on its book sales, it needs additional funding to purchase a much needed air conditioner, according to Loretta, and everyone who visits the library during the summer months will agree. “And so we decided to salute the creators of books with Write On Maz,” says Loretta. Many writers who live here in Mazatlán have published books—some with mainstream publishers; others are self-published and still others publish their books “on demand”. Write on Maz! starts at 2pm with music, wine and finger foods, and one of Mazatlán´s largest raffle for some very generously donated and coveted prizes. Authors Stella Bell, Susan Carnes, Ruth Clarke, Marshall Mason, P.J. Reece and Ethel Stockton will talk about their publishing experiences and demystify the process for aspiring authors. Come and meet these authors, many writers, and Mazatlán´s book and magazine publishers. You will be supporting your library.
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