Imperial County
Free Library: Branches bring ‘literacy experiences’ to all corners of Valley
Imperial Valley Press: 11.09.2015 by
Stefanie Campos
Sitting unpretentiously in the corner of a desk
a frame humbly asks to “imagine the possibilities” and proclaims “one person
can make a difference.” Take a drive out to visit the county librarian in the
headquarters of the Imperial County Free Library and within moments it’s clear: Connie
Barrington’s passion for reaching the constituents here lives up to — if not
exceeds — the inspirational messages on her desk.
At age 64, Barrington’s path to her current
position could explain why she speaks about each project with a clear motive
for the betterment of the community of whom she serves.
Barrington moved to the Imperial Valley in 1988
from Los Angeles. Her husband was born at Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley
and had family in Calipatria. In the first class she taught here, a sixth-grade
class, she found the bulk of her students read at a fourth-grade level, one or
two at grade-level and several at first-grade level.
Barrington asked herself, “What can I do to
help my students?” and pursued a variety of continuing education classes.
“I want to create people who want to read,”
said Barrington, who is a certificated school library media specialist. “If you
read you can do anything you want.” READ MORE !
