Soboba Tribal Chairman Scott Cozart, left, presents new books and $10,000 to Friends of the San Jacinto Library President Ajit Singh as tribal council and Friends board members look on.
San Jacinto Library supporters say a $10,000 grant from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians will provide new books and a special Native American collection at a time of lean budgets.
Ajit Singh, president of the nonprofit Friends of the San Jacinto Library, said the branch of the Riverside County Library System is not getting any funds from the county this year to buy books and other materials. That prompted the organization's board of directors to seek financial support from other sources.
"The tribe and (Friends) are working toward building a relationship that will not only help the library to grow and expand service but one that will also serve to help the reservation community have better access to library resources," said Mike Madrigal, a board member.
The donation will pay for purchase of popular books and other media, as well as volumes devoted to Native American culture and history.
Singh said Carrie Garcia, director of Soboba's Cultural Center, will meet with the group to advise which Native American-focused titles would be best to add to the library's collection.
"These history and cultural books will be circulated among the 63 branches of Riverside and San Bernardino county libraries," Singh said. "A nation who forgets its history cannot go that far. This is the history of our local culture."
Singh said the organization is discussing the best way to acknowledge the Soboba tribe's donation. He said each book purchased with the funds will be stamped or marked in some way so patrons know which ones they are.
He also said that although the Friends group was established many years ago, it has become more active in the past four years.
"We have a very enthusiastic board now, and we have done some great things for the library," he said.
The group hosts free family movie nights, kids' competitions such as art shows and entertainment such as musicians, magicians and more.
Singh said the branch manager, Diane Smith, has helped the group develop programs for kids.
The Friends also manage a permanent book room of used items for sale; it's located inside the library. Singh said they are always collecting books to add to the shelves.
A staff member from the juvenile detention center in Murrieta recently visited the book room and purchased a box full of paperbacks to start circulating among the youth.
"People go to church, mosques and synagogues to seek blessing from their gods and go to the library to seek the blessing of knowledge and education," Singh said.
The San Jacinto branch library is at 500 Idyllwild Drive, near the northeast end of the San Jacinto High School campus.
Information: 951-654-8635 or www.rivlib.info/san-jacinto-library
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