DPILOOC News

PNM & Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Distribute S.T.E.M. Books to Area Schools!

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Otero County (DPILOOC) was a recipient of PNM's Century of Service Grant.   Half of the grant went to continue the Imagination Library program, and a half went to buy S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) books for area school libraries throughout the county.

Renee French, from DPILOOC, coordinated the effort.   French worked with librarians at different schools on their individual wish lists, and then ordered the books.   In December & January, members of the DPILOOC Board of Directors as well as Mary Parra from PNM traveled around to the different schools to distribute books.   

"It was so exciting," said DPILOOC President, Ryal McMurry, "to see the as they opened the box and looked at the new S.T.E.M. additions to their libraries.   They were thrilled, and we were so lucky to see some of the students' excitement too!   We are grateful to PNM for making this possible."   McMurry went on to say, "Almost all of our board members were able to help with the distribution as well.   We are always happy to put books into the hands of children!"

Board Member, Jean Anderson, was delighted to take part in the distribution.   She said that the schools were very appreciative of the books.   "The librarian from Mountain View said, 'I just had a student looking for a book about coding,'" Anderson remembered.

This is the second time that DPILOOC has been a recipient of the Century of Service grant from PNM.   In 2017, DPILOOC received the grant and used it to put Free Little Libraries throughout the community.   Each little library has been stocked with books and everyone is encouraged to take a book and leave a book.

Alamogordo High School Left: Jennifer Seabring from Alamogordo High School with Cheeta McMurry, Jamie Sherwood, and Ryal McMurry for DPILOOC.   Buena Vista Elementary Right: Manuela Sanchez, principal of Buena Vista Elementary, with Librarian Karen Leon, Mary Parra from PNM, Tina Martinez from DPILOOC, and 5th grade students from Buena Vista.

Chaparral Middle School Left: Karen Forsythe and Jean Anderson from DPILOOC present books to the students and librarian at Chaparral Middle School.   Cloudcroft Elementary and Middle School Right: Karen Forsythe and Renee French present Cloudcroft school librarian (center) with S.T.E.M. books.

Holloman Elementary School Left: DPILOOC present S.T.E.M. books to Holloman Elementary.   Jamie Sherwood, Tracie Eitniear, Lindsay Totten, Cheeta McMurry, and Ryal McMurry represent DPILOOC.   Principal Tena Spitsberg, Librarian Kari Kirk, and kindergarten teacher Tracie Eitniear accept the books for Holloman Elementary.   Holloman Middle School Right: Lindsay Totten, Jamie Sherwood, Ryal McMurry, Holloman Middle School Librarian, and Cheeta McMurry

High Rolls Mountain Park Elementary School Left: Cheeta McMurry and Ryal McMurry from DPILOOC present High Rolls Mountain Park librarian Lisa Bell with S.T.E.M. books.   La Luz Elementary Right: Ryal McMurry (left) and Tina Martinez (right) present books to La Luz librarian Jami Johnson.

Mescalero Apache Schools Left: Ryal McMurry, Mescalero librarian Karen Kimmell, and Cheeta McMurry pose with books in front of Mescalero Apache School students' artwork.   Mountain View Middle School Right: Jamie Sherwood, Mountain View Middle School librarian, Karen Forsythe, and Jean Anderson.

North Elementary Left: Tina Martinez, Jamie Sherwood, North Elementary Librarian Rachel Rodriguez, North Elementary Principal Rey Gomez, and Ryal McMurry.   Sierra Elementary Right: Cheeta McMurry, Julie Baker, Mary Parra from PNM, Ryal McMurry, Sierra Elementary School Librarian Carmen Sanchez, and Jamie Sherwood.

Sunset Hills Elementary Left: Tina Martinez, Sunset Hills Librarian Irene Arnold, Mary Parra from PNM, Ryal McMurry, and Cheeta McMurry with books for the new Sunset Hills library!   Tularosa Intermediate School Right: Tina Martinez, librarian Diolanda Moore, and Cheeta McMurry.

Tularosa Middle School: Tina Martinez (left) and Cheeta McMurry (right) present principal Bobbie Grace and students from Tularosa Middle School with S.T.E.M. books.   Yucca Elementary Right: Cheeta McMurry, Ryal McMurry, Retta Bedenbaugh, Jamie Sherwood, and Tina Martinez are all DPILOOC Board Members.   Retta Bedenbaugh is also the Yucca Elementary School Secretary.