WHEN THE READING LIGHT WENT ON

Arturo Vargas, 37, executive director of NALEO (National Assn. of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials):

When I was at Magnolia Elementary, in the Pico-Union area, the public library was miles away. So we had a bookmobile that would come now and then. I always waited in anticipation for the bookmobile to arrive.

I would read books about the Hardy boys and others. Those were sort of spy, serious kind of books. There was one book about a girl, Ramona, who always got involved in all sorts of interesting situations and trouble.

When I got to college, I started reading different kinds of books: about geometry, history, social studies, etc. They were not as fun, but I needed to read them for my classes.

I left in the late ‘80s and was in Washington, D.C., when I found out that the central library in Los Angeles had been destroyed in a fire. The fire had destroyed so many books. It was an incredible loss.

I sent money and, with the help of many people, the library was rebuilt. The library looked even bigger and better.

Even today, my job requires a lot of reading. I read newspapers to see what’s going on. But when I have time, I read for pleasure. I read “Star Trek” books, books based on the popular sci-fi TV show.

Books help me relax and forget about stress. That’s what reading is all about. Every kid should have access to a library.