Cusco: Meet “Chasqui Libro”, an innovative book loan service for schoolchildren

Due to the pandemic by COVID-19, the Municipality of Poroy, in Cusco, implemented the loan service of books to homes. The project is called “Chasqui Book“and currently receives up to 30 requests daily.

“Teacher, good morning. My name is Shuma Yamelí Quispe. Can you bring me books and stories to Nuevo Ciudad Inca? Please, thank you,” says a little girl under six years old in a WhatsApp audio.

That is the message for both of us “chasquis” begin their work in the municipal library of Poroy, a district located one hour from the city of Cusco.

José Luis Dueñas Mendoza, professor by profession, and Guido Jara Ugarte, anthropologist, choose the books When requested, they are accommodated in their backpack, in the style of food deliveries, and depending on the distance, they evaluate the mobility for their transfer.

The “chasquis” deliver the order by bicycle, car, motorcycle or on foot. Mendoza told RPP who once traveled 20 kilometers on foot to deliver a couple of books: “The children welcome us happily and eager to read.”

The district of Poroy has more than 900 school-age children and youth. According to the librarians, the initial level children ask for the book “Coquito” or stories for their parents to read to them, whereas the elementary school children ask for mathematics and communication.

“I feel very satisfied as a teacher that I am, satisfied with the children and with the municipality that carries out these projects. From the youngest to the youngest I have had beautiful experiences going through this pandemic. I have found little poets, singers and good readers A high school girl, Yesenia, reads many books .. To me that I am the ‘chasqui book’ it is that it “bothers me” all the time. ‘Teacher more books … What book do you recommend?’ “, Says Mendoza .

Recognition

The project won the recognition of the National Library in the category “Good Library Practices” and received more than 200 texts as awards. The mayor of the district, Francisco Toccas, said that the initiative that emerged in the midst of the pandemic, in the absence of users in the four libraries that your district has.

“Education should not stop and (the service is for) the children who are in their homes and do not have access to books due to the closure and no face-to-face care (of schools),” he said.

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