Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves Recognized for Outstanding Service to Local Library

For Immediate Release:
November 26, 2013

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF.  The Honorable Jose Esteves, Mayor of Milpitas, was recently recognized as the 2013 Elected Official for Outstanding Service to a Local Library by California Public Library Advocates (CPLA).  Mayor Esteves’ contributions to the Milpitas Library and the Santa Clara County Library District were honored at the California Library Association annual conference in Long Beach, California on Monday, November 4, 2013.

“Our Library District is very fortunate to count on so many friends for support, and Mayor Esteves has been a true champion for the Milpitas Library,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, Delegate for the County Library District Joint Powers Authority. “This is well-deserved recognition for his commitment through the years.” 

CPLA recognized Mayor Esteves for eleven years of unwavering support for the Milpitas Library and the Santa Clara County Library District.  Mr. Esteves was the Mayor of Milpitas from 2002-2008, and has served in this position since 2010. Beginning in 2002, Mayor Esteves was instrumental in overseeing the funding and construction of a new library in Milpitas, which was completed in 2009.

In 2008, the Filipino Memorial Project began raising public awareness about the role Filipino Americans played during the 1960s Labor Movement.  Early on, Mayor Esteves recognized the significance and importance of this project, and was an avid supporter.  “When people view this mural, they will have conversations about the fact that the brave leaders depicted in it pioneered and initiated labor struggles to benefit all farm workers,” Mayor Esteves had noted.

The Filipino Memorial Project was completed earlier this year. The mural is featured in a prominent location at the Milpitas Library, where it will inform and educate the public for years to come. The unveiling of the Filipino Memorial Project was held at the Milpitas Library on October 12, 2013.  Mayor Esteves, along with other state and local dignitaries, and community leaders celebrated this noteworthy achievement.  

“This honor provides even more encouragement for me to continually and strongly advocate for our libraries,” said Esteves upon receiving this prestigious award from CPLA.  “I also want to recognize those individuals that work for the Santa Clara County Library District; their service to our communities should be commended.”

CPLA is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with public library Trustees, Commissioners, Friends and Foundations to strengthen California libraries through advocacy and education.  CPLA’s goals include providing resources for library stakeholders to be more effective in their roles and responsibilities through education and collaboration and advocating for legislation that improves public library services throughout California. 

About the Santa Clara County Library District

Known as one of America’s best 100 public libraries, the Santa Clara County Library District promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.

For twelve years, the Library has ranked as one of the best in the nation for its size by Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings. Also recognized as one of America’s 2013 Five Star Libraries by Library Journal, the Santa Clara County Library District is one of the most-used public resources in the region.

The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2013, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 215,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.2 million visitors who borrowed 9.7 million items.  Visit Santa Clara County Library District online at www.sccl.org.

Contact:

Gwendolyn Mitchell/Marina Hinestrosa 
Office of Public Affairs 
(408) 299-5119 
 
Derek Wolfgram/Mark Fink
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3002/3010