Puerto Vallarta Public Library Needs Your Help to Keep the Doors Open Maria Jose Zorrilla - Biblioteca Los Mangos
go to original September 8, 2013

The economic situation which is facing our Puerto Vallarta Public Library (Biblioteca Los Mangos) is extremely difficult as many members of the board have given notice to quit, some have already resigned and others have agreed to only stay until the end of the year.

Facing this situation is not easy. The money has not trickled down from the local government for many years and the majority of the main foreign donors have disappeared, as well as support from the founders.

Members of the library staff are willing to do whatever it takes to keep the doors open and to continue working towards self-sustainability, which doesn't seem possible in the near future.

The Biblioteca Los Mangos will turn 17 years old in November. Through the years, it has become the most important cultural center of the city that is open 68 hours a week, offering free consulting services, lending books, internet use, computer access, storytelling, book clubs, among other activities that are free to the public.

Courses, seminars, workshops, film screenings and lectures are offered at a modest price. The library is home to various associations and organizations.

It is a living and dynamic entity that is constantly under construction. There are no statistics on how many children have used the library, but estimate that over a million users and visitors have passed through the doors making an average of 5,000 per month.

These members supplemented their formal education at Los Mangos Library and were influenced in one way or another by what they saw there, read and enjoyed, with interaction through ideas, people, books, concerts and exhibitions. This option did not exist before the library was opened.

Undeniable, information today plays a key role in the global society. Los Mangos is a generator and receiver of information, concepts, proposals, and ideas that connect us to the rest of the world and enable us to provide access to modernity, to creativity, to awaken the imagination, to practice an artistic discipline, to enjoy an exhibition of literature and knowledge in a peaceful environment surrounded by extensive gardens. The library is Vallartenses' space regardless of age, economic status, religion or ethnicity.

Los Mangos Public Library is a non-profit organization which, thanks to your donations, offers over 80,000 services per year, as well as acting as a space for the exhibition of new artists’ works.

"We open our arms to all but it seems that many have left us. For seven years the council has failed to provide regular support to the most representative cultural institution in the city. We hope the citizens and visitors to Vallarta will respect the dignity of our library, which belongs to everyone, and not let us die, but help us to keep our doors open. We look forward to receiving your support which will help us develop even more needed services, ideas and campaigns. We respectfully seek your donations and support in keeping our library open. Will you help us?"

María José Zorrilla is President of the Trust Board Pro Biblioteca Los Mangos.

Donations can be delivered directly to Biblioteca Los Mangos, located at Av. Francisco Villa 1001 in Los Mangos Colony, Puerto Vallarta. Telephones are (322) 224-9966 and 293-1957, email is bibliotecalosmangos@gmail.com. For online donations through PayPal, please visit Biblioteca Los Mangos donation page.

Translated and edited by Team Angels

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