Greenburgh Public Library Blog

Why did you move to the United States?
The reality was that, at the time in the early 80's, it was very difficult for my present wife to move to Spain due to the paperwork and technical imposition in Spain on immigration at that time. I met my wife in Spain and after a few years of back and forth of her trying to develop her career there, we decided that New York was a good geographical middle ground to settle and develop our careers. So I took a leave of absence from my work and came to NYC to test the waters, and the rest is history!

What surprised you the most in the United States?
The first impact was size. Everything was larger, taller and bolder. Perfect for me!
As I visited different states, the most common feeling was sameness, same marketing signs and slogans, and in general it's the cohesiveness in such a large geographical country. Coming from the north of Spain, in which we have a different culture including a different language every 100 miles, this sameness of identity was a new experience.

What do we share? What is different?
Today, there is more in common among countries than differences in their hopes and present accomplishments and problems. Historically it is interesting to see how much  has survived in the US of the influence and legacy of the conquistadores. It is a strong legacy, especially in the south and west of the US. The present Basque legacy in Florida, Idaho and Nevada is also interesting to see. In present day Spain you can see a tendency to copycat Anglo-Saxon marketing terms and the influence of consumerism that has trickled down to daily language. Spain is still growing into its own diversity, and it is interesting that in today's US, this is also appearing with strength. Some aspects are positive, others not so much. Also, living in big cities for most people in Spain is not much different than in the US.

What would you want others to know about you, or Latinos in the US?   
Ethnicity has nothing to do with anything that is meaningful to succeed in a society, unless there is a conscientious effort to create barriers in the important aspects that drive social failure! This is happening in some states today. 

The library is an open door to knowledge that offers a unique access to the best the town can offer.
The strong commitment of the town to support the GPL as a unique and important educational institution surprised me, since many towns around the country are going in a direction of negating opportunities to knowledge. The GPL has an incredible positive impact in the quality of life of all its residents.

What makes the Greenburgh Library unique?
The array of cultural and educational services provided are extraordinary and of superb quality for the size of a town like Greenburgh.

Where do you see the Greenburgh Library in 5-10 years? 
As technology keeps changing our lives, I see the GPL continuing as a center of offerings that support this development, continues helping with education and adapts to residents' needs. 

Do you think the Greenburgh Library will still be part of your life in five to ten years? 
YUP!

                  
                                                                                                                   San Isidro Festival in Madrid