Partnership for Literacy, Culture, and Opportunities

Creating a Space Where Stories and Communities Come Together

Feria del Libro Oregon Book Fair is much more than an opportunity to purchase books. The Feria creates a welcoming community space where authors, artists, educators, families, children, businesses, organizations, and community members can connect through literature and the arts. Its programming has included author presentations, live readings, cultural performances, panel discussions, children’s activities, poetry, opportunities for local authors and businesses, and other activities designed to encourage participation and celebrate creativity. The Feria also intentionally creates opportunities for bilingual and multicultural engagement, helping connect Spanish- and English-speaking communities through books and storytelling. This emphasis on participation and belonging is one of the reasons TTI values its partnership with Feria del Libro. We believe that books and stories can do more than teach us something new. They can help people see themselves represented, learn about experiences different from their own, strengthen cultural identity, generate conversations, and create connections across generations and communities.

Supporting Feria del Libro’s Growth

TTI has supported Feria del Libro through partnership, planning, community engagement, sponsorship, and participation in its programming. Over time, Feria del Libro has continued to grow and strengthen its presence in Oregon. What began as a community book fair has developed into an ongoing initiative centered on literature, arts, culture, education, and community connection. In February 2026, Feria del Libro became a nonprofit organization with a five-member Board of Directors, creating a new organizational structure to support its continued development. TTI Director Ana Ruiz Morillo serves as one of the founding board members, alongside other community leaders supporting Founder and Executive Director Lucy Escobar and the mission of the organization. For TTI, supporting Feria del Libro is about contributing to a larger community effort. The Feria is strengthened by the involvement of many people, including its leadership, board members, volunteers, authors, artists, sponsors, community organizations, businesses, and families.

Investing in Education Through the Feria del Libro Scholarship

One important part of TTI’s partnership has been its commitment to helping students continue their education. Beginning with the first Feria del Libro in 2024, TTI sponsored a $1,000 scholarship for a student pursuing higher education. The scholarship continued in 2025 as another opportunity for students beginning or continuing their college journey. TTI looks forward to continuing to support a yearly scholarship through Feria del Libro. The scholarship connects directly with the Feria’s broader commitment to literacy and education. Celebrating books and encouraging reading are important, but supporting education can also mean helping a young person take the next step toward college and future opportunities, and the scholarship is one practical way TTI contributes to that goal. This also reflects what we value about this partnership: combining celebration with opportunity and connecting community engagement with tangible support for students.

Celebrating Literacy Across Generations

One of the strengths of Feria del Libro is its ability to engage people at different stages of life. Children can experience storytelling, theater, books, and interactive activities designed to encourage curiosity and a love of reading. The Feria specifically includes a children’s space where young participants can engage with story readings, puppet shows, and other literacy activities. Young people can see authors, artists, educators, and community leaders sharing their talents. Adults can discover new authors, participate in conversations, enjoy cultural programming, and connect with organizations and other members of the community. Authors and artists have a space to share their work and build relationships with readers and one another. This intergenerational approach helps make literacy a community experience rather than something that happens only in a classroom.

Building Cultural Connections Through Books and Art

Feria del Libro also provides an important space for cultural expression. Its mission recognizes literature and the arts as ways to honor cultural heritage while creating connections among people from different backgrounds. The Feria celebrates the contributions of the Hispanic community in Oregon and beyond while intentionally creating a bridge between Spanish- and English-language literature. For TTI, this aspect of the partnership is particularly meaningful. Culturally responsive community engagement requires spaces where people can bring their language, traditions, experiences, creativity, and knowledge with them. Feria del Libro creates opportunities for those experiences to be visible and celebrated. At the same time, the Feria invites people from different communities to participate, learn from one another, and discover stories they might not encounter elsewhere.

A Partnership We Look Forward to Continuing

TTI is proud to continue partnering with Feria del Libro Oregon Book Fair as the organization enters its next chapter. Our support is rooted in shared commitments to education, literacy, cultural inclusion, community engagement, and opportunity. Through continued collaboration, TTI looks forward to supporting the Feria’s mission, contributing to its growth, and continuing the annual scholarship that helps connect the celebration of literacy with a direct investment in a student’s educational future. Feria del Libro reminds us that books can bring people together, but the impact extends beyond the books themselves. It is also found in the relationships created, the voices given a platform, the cultures celebrated, the young readers inspired, and the opportunities that grow from a community coming together around education and storytelling. TTI is honored to be one of the partners helping support that work.