Extended Closure of Puerto de la Cruz Library Due to Renovation Delays
The Tomas de Iriarte Library in Puerto de la Cruz will not reopen until next year, following setbacks in the administrative procedures necessary for its rehabilitation. This prolonged closure has raised concerns among residents and library users who rely on the facility for educational and cultural activities.
Prolonged Closure Amid Administrative Challenges
Desiré Díaz, the cultural councillor for the Puerto de la Cruz City Council, has indicated that the library’s reopening, initially expected this month, will be postponed indefinitely. The facility has been closed since August due to significant flooding, which caused extensive damage and necessitated urgent repairs. Unfortunately, the process of tendering for refurbishment work has encountered unexpected delays, complicating the timeline for reopening.
According to Díaz, the city is still in the process of assembling the required budgets to adhere to contracting regulations. She noted that one of the bids for the renovation was unsuccessful due to a shortage of materials, which has further complicated the situation. Although funding and essential components for repairs, including the lift, are available, the formal tendering process is causing significant delays, leaving the community in limbo.
Commitment to Safety and Quality
The councillor has assured the public that every effort will be made to facilitate the library’s reopening. However, she emphasized the importance of not bypassing any necessary steps to ensure safety and satisfactory results. Díaz stated that once the refurbishment contract is awarded, the work will be straightforward, primarily involving the removal of false ceiling supports and the installation of new panels. This commitment to quality is crucial, as the library aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all its users upon reopening.
User Discontent and Community Impact
As the closure extends into its fifth month, many users of the Tomas de Iriarte Library are expressing frustration over the lack of access to the facility. The library hosts two reading clubs, including one for children, which has been temporarily relocated outside the building on some Fridays to continue its activities. Cristina Notario McDonnell, a regular library user, shared that her children, including ten-year-old Alicia and her younger siblings, miss the library greatly. She described their feelings of despair each time they pass by the closed building, highlighting the emotional toll the closure has taken on young readers.
Notario McDonnell and her children previously visited the library weekly or biweekly to borrow books, enjoying the time spent there and the assistance of the librarian, Matilde Perera. The absence of this vital resource has disrupted their routine and limited their access to literature, which they had come to cherish. The library was not just a place to borrow books; it was a community hub where families could engage in educational activities and foster a love for reading.
Personal Connections and Cultural Significance
Mari Luz López Martínez, a former librarian from Madrid, has a deep personal connection to the library. After purchasing an apartment in Puerto de la Cruz, her first stop was the library, where she participates in the adult reading club. She highlighted the library’s role in fostering knowledge, literacy, and critical thinking, describing it as a modest yet vital institution for children and adults alike. The library serves as a sanctuary for learning and a gathering place for community members.
López Martínez expressed her sorrow over the library’s current situation, noting the limited budget and staff. She emphasized that the library’s long-term social impact far surpasses that of any cultural event in the city. She mentioned various activities, including small exhibitions, and underscored the library’s importance as a hub for cultural engagement and community gatherings. The absence of such a space not only affects individual users but also diminishes the cultural fabric of Puerto de la Cruz.
Key points
- The Tomas de Iriarte Library in Puerto de la Cruz will remain closed until next year.
- Delays in the tendering process for rehabilitation works have postponed the reopening.
- The library has been closed since August due to significant flooding.
- Users, including children, are expressing frustration over the extended closure.
- The library serves as a crucial cultural facility for the community.
- Efforts are being made to ensure a safe and thorough reopening.
