Puerto de la Cruz Library Closure Threatens Children's Reading Club

The children's reading club in Puerto de la Cruz is at risk because the Tomás de Iriarte library has closed. The group will meet this Friday, December 19, for what might be its last session this year, unsure of its future in 2026. In January, they plan to discuss their final book, 'Alma de elefante' (Elephant Soul), with more than a dozen children, in what could be their very last literary gathering.

Since last August, when the library building flooded, the children have been holding their reading club sessions at the library's entrance. Juan Pedro Marrero, one of the club's organizers, explained, "It's a way to put pressure on officials and make our presence known. If we met in a room in another public building, people wouldn't realize the library is closed and how many people are affected." They thought about meeting at the Archaeological Museum or the castle, but Marrero noted, "It always comes down to the same thing: families drop off the children, and we have to supervise them." He added that other reading groups do use different public spaces provided by the Puerto de la Cruz City Council.

Marrero explained that the biggest challenge for these groups to continue is that "they cannot access the books to choose their next readings." The children's reading club used to meet on the third floor of the library, a section not open to the public. "We painted a mural there featuring children's literature," he said. "It's our special place."

Despite the "difficult" situation, the club members haven't given up their love for reading. Marrero revealed, "We have met several times since the library closed." For their final meeting of the year, each child will bring their favorite Christmas book and read a short passage.

The children's reading club began in March 2018, when Marrero was teaching in La Vera. He and librarian Matilde Perera organized an event to encourage reading, and several years later, the group is still going strong. It started with 15 children, a number they still have today, and there's even a waiting list. However, they can't manage new members due to the current uncertain situation.

To run a book discussion, multiple copies of the same book are needed. Initially, the club used books from libraries at various local schools. A few years later, the Puerto de la Cruz City Council's Culture department allocated funds to buy books for the club, enough for over a year's worth of reading. However, they have now read all those books. "Right now we have no resources," Marrero stated, referring to both books and money.

The ongoing closure of the Tomás de Iriarte library threatens not only the children's club but also the reading habits of all its users. Marrero explained, "We've learned that regular visitors are now going to libraries in other parts of Tenerife, such as La Orotava, Santa Úrsula, or La Matanza, wherever they can find a space." He added, "Students and mothers who used to borrow books for their children have had their routines completely disrupted." Marrero emphasized, "The library is a social service that contributes to people's mental health. It impacts many aspects of community life."

As for the library building itself, the Puerto de la Cruz City Council announced it would stay closed until next year. Marrero has no new information and explained that "none of the more than 300 damaged books have been touched, and nothing has been done about the false ceilings ruined by the flood." He concluded that library users "don't understand why this social issue is being addressed so slowly."