A ribbon is cut with ambassadors of the Washington Chamber of Commerce, Consul Salazar, Library Director Debbie Stanton, and members of Latinos for Washington. Photos by Sam McIntosh

A first for the Mexican Consulate happened in Washington Thursday, with the ribbon cutting of a Mexican/Latino corner at the Washington Public Library.

Director of the Library Debbie Stanton tells KCII News the section of the library will include their Spanish collection, as well as informational brochures from the consulate office based in Omaha, Nebraska. Consul Maria Guadalupe Sanchez Salazar explained the goal of the project, “The goal will be to interact with the local community in order to provide information about the things, the activities, the actions that the Mexican government is doing through its incredible big consular network that we have in the United States.” Her office serves all of Iowa and Nebraska.

The event was held with members of Latinos for Washington, a local non-profit. Jackie Amigon with the group said thanks to those in attendance and said, “We want to keep working with our community. So even though our name says Latinos for Washington, basically we want to work with everyone. We want to focus not only on immigration issues, but also education, employment, finances, and health.” The group holds workshops and helps organize ESL (English as a second language) and citizenship classes.

The Mexican/Latino section can be found on the second floor of the Washington Public Library.