Biblioteca Pública El Páramo
(El Páramo Public Library)
Caserío El Páramo (Valle de la Pascua), Guárico State
Biblioteca Pública El Páramo opened its doors on November 16, 2004 as the first library of its kind to serve underprivileged rural families in Caserío El Páramo (located near Valle de La Pascua, Guárico State).
Located in Venezuela’s central “llanos”, or plains, the library provides the (following) services to the citizens of Caserío El Páramo as well as eight surrounding smaller caserios (villages):
Comprehensive selection of over 1300 age-appropriate books and publications for academic, personal development and reading enjoyment.
Special Lending Library section of over 200 books for all ages.
Public access computers and audio-visual media.
Educational workshops for continued learning.
Comfortable seating, well-lighted reading environment for 50 patrons in 800 ft.2 modern facility.
Dedicated, creative library staff and community volunteer helpers.
Since opening, Biblioteca Pública El Páramo has become the heart of the Caserío El Páramo community, helping preserve local culture and identity, and citizens no longer feel excluded from the world of new opportunities. In 2007, the library experienced over 10,000 visits (mostly from children), and continues to play a major role in inspiring schoolchildren to study harder, get better grades and pass all their classes
(see chart below).
