BELPRE,PURA,TERESA, STORYTELLER AND PIONEER PUERTO-RICAN LIBRARIAN

Pura Teresa Belpre (1902-82) was the first Puerto Rican librarian hired by the New York Public Library. Beginning her work in 1921, she had a career that spanned four decades, produced numerous literary works, and pioneered public library work with New York City's Puerto Rican community. In addition, she is recognized as being the first public librarian who preserved and disseminated Puerto Rican folklore throughout the United States. The purpose of this study is to chronicle and assess Belpre's work and achievements as a children's librarian, author, storyteller, and promulgator of Puerto Rican folk tales.