Tilaran schools helped greatly in starting the library, providing the space in a headquarters building and inspiring the students with name-the-library and name-the-readers'-corner contests. Winning entries were La Biblioteaca El Camino del Saber and La Esquina de Algodon, submitted by a little boy who equated the reading corner with his favorite blanket.

Leading library organizer Leslie Woods, who with husband Ed Woods has done most of the project coordination and asset acquisition, says that 26 rebuilt computers are on their way to the school from a company in Florida. A computer and reading room will be established in a second building on the grounds.

On the other side of the lake, residents near Nuevo Arenal are raising money to meet the $9,000 cost of repairing or upgrading the lunchroom and bathrooms at the Arenal school. As of Arenal Report's deadline, according to organizer Patrick Hughes, $5,400 has been raised from local businesses as well as ex-pat and Tico individuals. Patrick can be reached at 828-3933.

Farther toward the volcano, Dave Warner of Toad Hall Gallery and Restaurant is planning to quadruple the size of his second Toadfest, planned for July. His first musical event drew 100 people. He now plans to seat 400 people by using a great many 55-gallon oil drums welded together with rebar - a recycling project, he says - to form a larger ampitheater on his verdant and steep hillside overlooking the lake. In the spirit of build-it-and-they-will-come, he anticipates the formation of a local theater group to take advantage of his new stage.