WCCLS Director, Eva Calcagno expressed, “it is with great pleasure that WCCLS joins OLA in recognizing both Martín Blasco and the Aloha Community Library Association. We are honored that they represent WCCLS and offer wonderful symbols of the tremendous impact of libraries life-long learning on the diverse residents of our County.”
The Association recognized Mr. Blasco for his outstanding work in Washington County, as well as his dedication statewide in creating an Oregon Chapter of the National Reforma organization for librarians in the region, and for serving on the prestigious Caldecott Award Committee of the American Library Association.
In approximately six years, the dedicated residents of Aloha went from a crazy idea to start a non-profit library association to a full-service library operating as part of a strong countywide library system. The library is ideally situated in a highly used shopping center, within walking distance of a high school, a middle school, several elementary schools, and numerous apartment complexes. It has created a new heart to a community beginning to define its own destiny.
As a result of the ACLA efforts the new Library offers Aloha residents:
- A 30% increase in open hours – now open 6-days a week for 47 hours per week
- Four times the space – including significantly expanded public and staff areas
- Doubled computer access for the public to 14 stations, plus free Wi-Fi access
- Integration with the WCCLS.org website and catalog
- Access to Cooperative’s shared collection of over 1.6 million books, e-books, CD’s and more
- Convenient local hold pick-up and drop-off location for WCCLS items in the heart of Washington County
- More robust program offerings for children and adults
The Oregon Library Association (OLA) provides advocacy, education, leadership and collaboration to continually strengthen Oregon’s libraries and the communities they serve. Over 1,000 librarians, library employees, and library supporters are part of the association.
