The Library & Our Mission

Mérida English Library’s History

Back in 1994, Elizabeth Dunkel stood up at an International Women’s Club Christmas brunch meeting and said, “Let’s start an English Library”.  She couldn’t picture herself living in a community without a place for sharing books. Before Elizabeth took the initiative, all exchanges of reading materials in English were done informally.

Elizabeth hooked up with Chloe Pacheco, who, along with her lawyer, got the papers drawn up to found the Mérida English Library Asociacion Civil.  Their friend, Elie Guidotti loaned her house (on Calle 53) to the founders and that became the first location for the Library.

Others joined in to help.  Colleen Leonard and others shelved books as donations began to come in from the English-speaking community.  Marilyn Estes Smith did the reference books and directed the cataloging.  Ellen Lipscomb sort of ran things.  Paulie Williams arranged for a couple of volunteer librarians from the states to vacation in Mérida and lend some expertise to the enterprise.

In the first 18 months, the Library moved three times, finally coming to its current location on Calle 53 # 524 between Calle 66 and Calle 68. This was formerly the home of Marilyn Estes Smith, who always said that when she died she wanted MEL to have her house. The Mérida English Library has occupied Marilyn’s house ever since. All of us, members and volunteers alike, are grateful to the founders for their foresight and for their efforts in creating such a valuable community resource.

It is not always easy being a subscription library in a community that is used to having its library paid for by their taxes.  Mérida English Library receives no funding from any level of government in Mexico. We generate operating revenues through subscriptions, fundraising events, and donations from our benefactors. The story of the Mérida English Library is a story of generosity and dedication.  So many people came forward in the formative years giving time, energy, books, and money. Today, volunteers, members, and patrons continue this cooperative effort. The Mérida English Library is a model of sharing and partnership.

Thanks to Lorna Gail Dallin, one of Mérida English Library’s volunteers and a former manager of the library, who contributed much of the information in this summary.

LCC

The Library Collection Committee (LCC) is responsible for maintaining the materials offered to members and non-members including: books, puzzles, games, and reference materials and expanding the collection by means of purchases and donations.

We are continuously reviewing current literature for books that would be of interest to our varied readers and maintain a “wish” list of titles for donations from the general public. Lists can be found at Between the Lines Bookstore in Mérida, and on the MEL website and newsletter. Lists on the website and newsletter will be updated monthly.

Currently there are five members on the committee, each assigned to a particular section of the collection, with some sections shared among us.

We also publish a monthly article (blog) that can be found on the website focusing on different subjects directly related to the collection.

With direction from the MEL board and administration we have developed the donation policy, and the “lost” book policy which can also be found on the website.

We welcome suggestions from the membership for future purchases and programs relating to the collection.

In 2023 the LCC, with direction from administration, will be participating in FILEY, helping with a book fair featuring local authors and the Between the Lines Bookstore, and conducting periodic work days to review and refresh the collection.

Library Staff

  • Karime Minaya

    ADMINISTRATOR

    Karime has been the administrator at MEL since August 2021. She has got a degree in law and is due to complete her Masters in Regional Development studies in July 2023. She is a Mérida native, and lives here with her husband, their twin daughters, and two dogs.

  • Alfonso López Domínguez

    COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR

    Alfonso is a man of many talents. In addition to coordinating MEL's events and programs, he is a trained language teacher and an experienced tailor. He has his own clothing design business, ALODO a la medida.

  • Scott Vaughan

    PROGRAM COORDINATOR

    Scott manages the library’s House & Garden Tour and the Wednesday evening MEL Talks. He is a retired eccentric and has lived in Mérida with his wife Nancy since 2017. They have three adult daughters.