The libraries in Fuenlabrada organise activities for children and adults, such as blind book loans, book swaps, presentations, games…  

To mark Library Day, which is celebrated on 24 October, Fuenlabrada Town Council has organised a full programme of activities to encourage reading, aimed at all age groups and tailored to different age ranges. 

Throughout October and until the end of November – with some activities running until June – the seven municipal libraries are organising various activities, some of which are as original as becoming a librarian for a day, blind book loans, book presentations, storytelling sessions or the exchange of dedicated books between readers.

“Our aim is to mark this very important day and to continue working every day to promote reading, a task that has always been a hallmark of Fuenlabrada,” explains Cristina Mora, Councillor for Culture.

‘Librarians for a Day’ is aimed at children and involves taking on the role of a librarian, carrying out, under professional supervision, simple tasks typically performed by library staff, such as lending out books, etc.

‘Blind Loans’ is an initiative whereby people of all ages (from 0 to over 100) will find wrapped books on the library counters which they can borrow without knowing the title or author of the book.  In this way, readers are treated to a surprise that allows them to discover books selected for their quality and relevance.

‘Exchange of dedicated books between readers’. Each person will choose one book from those on display in the adult sections, leaving in its place another book with a dedication addressed to someone else. This initiative is exclusively for adult readers.

Storytelling sessions for children aged 5 and over.

Book presentation. Hosted by Manuel Espejo Jurado, who will present his work ‘Entre olivares sagrados’.

These are just a few examples of the activities organised by the Department of Culture to mark this occasion, which has been celebrated every 24 October since 1997, on the initiative of the Spanish Association of Friends of Children’s and Young People’s Books, in memory of the destruction of the Sarajevo library in 1992 during the Balkan War. The programme can be viewed on the council’s website