The Visitante Magazine in Panama City covered the story of the opening of the new library here in Boquete. It truly is a National treasure to say the least as it probably the finest library in Central America to be found in a town of 20,000 people. Here is the story.
Barnes and Noble and Borders bookshops are closing branches in cities all over the US and usage of public and private libraries is declining as the internet era hurtles ahead. But in the little mountain town of Boquete in Chiriqui a brand new and hugely impressive library recently opened.
Entering the library, you would think you were in a Barnes and Noble bookstore. With reason, since t he planners of the library used the famous chain’s pattern as inspiration right down to the coffee shop.
The library is surprising, not just because it is bigger than you could have expected, but the three-storey building is exquisitely designed as a place of light and soaring spaces, a tribute to the architect Alfredo Boza who won a competition to provide a design.
Perhaps the most surprising thing is that the public has accepted the library enthusiastically and the level of participation and usage is at a higher ratio than libraries in the U.S. There, an average ratio of 8 percent of books are checked out. In Boquete the figure is 12 percent.
The history of the library goes back about thirty years when the Boquete civic fathers permitted the Club de Leones de Boquete the use of a small property on the main road into town. They built a small building there to house their ‘cave’ and a smaller adjoining library.
The building began to fall apart and the club had no funds to repair it. About the same time, four years ago, the sister of one of the current library directors passed away, and the family decided to help the Lions build a new library as a memorial to her. A Public Foundation (non-profit, ONG) was formed, five directors were named and formal land possession was acquired from the Municipio of Boquete which the board praises as a source of support throughout the project.
The library’s website states that it was modeled, both architecturally and functionally as a cross between the classic U.S. community lending library and Barnes and Noble. The amount of light and openness serve to attract people, especially the young, to approach and enter the building where you at once feel comfortable and welcome. Books and computers (with internet) are everywhere, touchable, and patrons are encouraged to use them – for free! In addition, community members are encouraged to obtain a library card so that they can take books out (for free!) and actually be trusted to return them. This, although taken for granted in the U.S., has been revolutionary here and superbly accepted.
An exhibition of quilts.
The library’s collection now totals 10,000 volumes. Sixty percent are in English at present but the aim is to have a ratio of 70-30 in favor of Spanish language books. Over 1000 library cards have been issued, and an average of 80 books are taken out daily. Eighty percent of users fall in the target group – citizens between 8 and 18 years of age.
Tracey Hallen, a member of the Friends of the Boquete Library, told The Visitor “the mission of the library is to fulfill the role of a cultural center of innovation and knowledge, one that is accessible to all who enjoy art, music and the written word.
She explained that the library is also Boquete’s principle art gallery with a new show every month. Weekly music classes are offered free of charge. Local children come for story time in both Spanish and English, and authors and speakers come to share their knowledge and expertise with ever-growing audiences.
coffee shop
At present the library, under its administrator Lizzie Espinosa, is staffed by Peace Corps volunteers specializing in literacy and in training local librarians. Over 20 “expat” volunteers devote their time every week to various programs.
The library has benefited from donations and help from many quarters. The major contributors who brought the library into existence were:
Patricia Price Peterson Foundation – $1 Million.
The Alberto Motta Foundation – $50,000 and The Dora and Bobby Motta foundation;- $25,000.