Libraries for Latin America

Bibliotecas Para America Latina



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Our mission

Enable countries of Latin America to improve library services, access, and preservation of historical documents as a means of reaching development goals.

Our approach

Through project training and oversight, funding, and cooperative arrangements, Libraries for Latin America will work to strengthen the cultural sector, increase economic activity, create social and institutional capital, and enfranchise marginalized populations.

Our motivation

The idea to found a coalition called Libraries for Latin America comes from the state of affairs cultural envoys have seen on visits to libraries and archives in Paraguay. One of the two landlocked countries of South America, Paraguay has one of the highest poverty rates on the continent and an extraordinarily poor distribution of wealth. The top one-fifth of the population takes home 70% of the income. A grassroots approach is critical if the people are to lead themselves in the years ahead. By increasing reading, promoting information use, and preserving archives and books throughout the country, we can positively affect the level of development. We hope that specific improvements in the information sector can be leveraged to reach broader development goals such as transparency in government, participation in legal and economic reforms, and even awareness of family planning. This coalition, by developing and carrying out projects, will promote learning and encourage country development through the initiative of the population itself.

Solo Progresan los pueblos que leen

" Solo Progresan los Pueblos que Leen "

Libraries increase literacy

. . . increase social capital

. . . increase well-being


Goals of BIBPAL

  • Host 2nd conference of Bibliotecas Albirrojas in Asunción in September 2009
  • Create a coalition of partners and organizations in Latin America and abroad
  • Engage Comité Paraguay-Kansas in library development projects
  • Assist in grant applications for projects at the Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano, Biblioteca Nacional, and Archivo Nacional de Paraguay as well as other institutions
  • Create union catalog for collections within Asuncion and Paraguay
  • Lobby Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano to act as oversight body and liaison between libraries and American Embassy
  • Initiate exchange program for preservation and conservation training in U.S. institution
  • Develop a program for the “Bibliobus” and establish other book distribution venues


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