[Saipan, MP] – The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is excited to announce the successful completion of its 5K Literacy Fun Run/Walk, held this past Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the scenic Garapan Fishing Base. The event brought together over 100 participants, volunteers and spectators from across the community, all rallying behind a shared love for reading and literacy.
The Fun Run/Walk served as a vibrant closure to National Library Week and a fundraising initiative for the library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program. With the support and enthusiasm of the community, the event raised valuable funds that will directly enhance literacy efforts and programming for children and families this summer.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and the positive energy that filled the Garapan Fishing Base,” said Library Director, Erlinda Naputi. “It’s inspiring to see our community come together in support of literacy and lifelong learning.”
Congratulations to all the finishers and all the medalists! Biba, National Library Week Week!
ADULT-DIVISION
WOMEN:
- An Bang (23:49)-GOLD
- Yuxi Zhang (24:36)-SILVER
- Kristine Racine (28:00)-BRONZE
MENS:
- Philip Joseph Santos (21:20)-GOLD
- Shigeki Tenorio (21:31)-SILVER
- Matthew Furan (23:15)-BRONZE
CHILDREN-DIVISION
GIRLS:
- Avalyn Mae N. Lizama-GOLD
- Teonnie Helena Ranili-SILVER
- Alexandra D. Birnbrich-BRONZE
BOYS:
- Noah Balisalisa-GOLD
- Zeki Lizama-SILVER
- Tristan Jaden Ranili-BRONZE
A very special thank you goes out to our Literacy Fun Run/Walk sponsors, donors, and community partners, whose generous support made this event possible:
Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, in partnership with the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Run Saipan, Northern Marianas Athletics, Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia), Inc. the CNMI Public School System, Northern Marianas Library Association, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Office of the Governor, Office of the Lt. Governor, Saipan Mayor’s Office, the Joeten family, the Kiyu family, Commonwealth Library Council, CNMI Department of Public Safety, CNMI Department of Emergency Medical Services, Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia), Inc.; Department of Land & Natural Resources; DLNR Division of Parks & Recreation; and many other community supporters. Your continued support is essential to the ongoing success of the library and its mission to promote literacy, learning, and community engagement throughout the CNMI.
The library extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated, volunteered, donated, or helped spread the word. Together, we are building a stronger, more literate CNMI—one step, one book, and one reader at a time.
Special Thank you to our National Library Week sponsors and community partners: Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library in partnership with the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Run Saipan, the CNMI Public School System, Northern Marianas Library Association, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Office of the Governor, Office of the Lt. Governor, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Joeten family, Kiyu family, Commonwealth Library Council, Chamorro Carolinian Language & Heritage Studies, CNMI Public School System’s Office of Curriculum and Instruction, CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, CNMI Department of Public Safety, CNMI Forestry, CNMI Indigenous Affairs Office; CNMI PSS: Early Head Start Program; CNMI Workforce Investment Agency; Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia), Inc.; CNMI Custom & Quarantine Enforcement & Protection/ CNMI Customs & Biosecurity: Bureau of Canine Enforcement; Department of Land & Natural Resources; DLNR Division of Parks & Recreation; Glenn Manglona and Marianas Agupa Show Chamorro News; Hopwood Middle School (HMS) Choral Readers with Sinot Donald Mendiola; Indigenous Affairs Office; Eusebio Borja; Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library; Friends of the Mariana Trench; Jonathan Joe Norita Aguon; Kagman Agricultural Farms and Producers Association Inc. or KAFPA; Karidat; KSPN2 News; Marianas High School Polksai Chamorro Club; Marianas Inflatables; Marianas Press; Marianas Variety; Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho; Northern Marianas Athletics; NMI News Service; Northern Marianas Humanities Council; Northern Mariana Islands Center for the Book: Joeten-Kiyu Public Library; Office of Representative Angelo Camacho; Office of Representative Blas Jonathan “BJ” Attao; Office of Representative Edmund S. Villagomez, Speaker of the House; Office of Representative Elias Rangamar; Office of Representative John Paul Sablan, SNILD Chairman; Office of Representative Diego Camacho; Office of Representative Marissa Flores; Office of Representative Roy Ada; Office of Representative Thomas John Manglona; Office of Representative Vincent “Kobre” Raymond Seman Aldan ; Office of the U.S. Delegate, Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds; Office of Senator Jude Hofschneider; Pacific Advisory Services; Palauan Community Association; Run Saipan; Run Saipan, President Edward Delacruz; Saipan International School- Dr. Ron Snyder; Saipan Ice & Water; Saipan Mayor’s Office; Tan Siu Lin (TSL) Foundation; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services Department of the Interior.
Special Thank You to our library corporate donors: BRIDGE CAPITAL, LLC.; INSURANCE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CORP. dba: Marianas International Travel Agency; ELIZABETH D. RECHEBEI; ATHLETES FOOT OF SAIPAN, INC.; ALL STAR SPORTING GOODS, INC.; ROMAN VINCENT GIMA TUDELA dba Tudela Mobile Service; ROSELLE CALVO dba: Pacific Advisory Services; M.S. VILLAGOMEZ; CHONG’S CORPORATION; TIMOTHY V. WESLEY; MARIANAS GEOTECH SERVICES, LLC.; ORIENTAL CORPORATION DBA DY RENTAL; PACIFIC ISLANDS CLUB SAIPAN; FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK; ART RIDGE VILLAGE HOMES, LLC; MARIANAS GLOBAL VENTURES dba: Priority Care Services; HONG YE TRADING CO; RAMONA V. MANGLONA; JOETEN ENTERPRISES, INC.; JOETEN DAI DAI FOUNDATION; JOETEN MOTOR CO. INC.; JOETEN DEVELOPMENT, INC. dba: JOETEN SUPERSTORE; MARIANAS ACQUISITION CORPORATION. dba IP&E; MEGABYTE OF SAIPAN, INC.; MICRONESIA RESORT INC. dba Kensington Hotel Saipan; TAN SIU LIN FOUNDATION; JUAN T. GUERRERO & ASSOCIATES, INC.; WC HEALTH, LLC; NAPU STRATEGIES; MODERN STATIONERY & TRADING CO., INC.; SMARTSTART LEARNING, LLC dba Smartstart Nurturing Center; DYNAMIC CORE GROUP, INC. dba Shirley’s Coffee Shop; ALLIED CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, dba Barny’s Pizza; MARFEGA TRADING CO., INC. dba Islander Rent a Car; CNMI BOOKS AND RESOURCE CENTER.
Please enjoy your public library’s free resources by visiting our website at www.cnmilib.org like/follow JKPL’s Facebook page @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Instagram @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Tik Tok @jkpl670, Twitter @JoetenKiyu, and Youtube: joeten kiyu public library or visit our website www.cnmilib.org to see the progress and programs JKPL has worked so hard to offer for our community. The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s hours of operation are as follows: Open Tuesday to Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and Holidays.
HOW CAN YOU HELP ASSIST WITH OUR PROGRAMS?
We welcome and encourage businesses to please consider donating Educational Tax Credit. Pursuant to NMI Public Law 15-120, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is able to receive cash contributions under Educational Tax Credit (ETC). Please make checks payable to: CNMI Treasury. For MUNIS payments, to the Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library MUNIS Vendor ID#100404.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services LS-256853-OLS-24.
This project was made possible in part by the USDA Rural Development Community.
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