The subdelegate of the Government in Pontevedra, Abel Losada, encouraged the municipalities of the province with a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants to request the subsidies in a competitive competition, which for the first time comes from convening the Ministry of Culture, to make the municipal public libraries more modern and sustainable. Under these conditions, all Pontevedra municipalities that have a municipal library are eligible for this program, except Vigo and Pontevedra, which exceed the population.
Losada reported that the aid may be used for the purchase and installation of technological equipment, furniture, air conditioning systems and the improvement of energy efficiency. The assessment criteria will prioritize the municipalities with the lowest population. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on proposals that incorporate elements that facilitate access and comfort for elderly people, with disabilities or with reduced mobility.
The deadline for submitting applications will remain open until September 25 through the Ministry’s electronic headquarters.
Access to culture in rural areas
The subdelegate of the Government stressed that the general objective of this new line of aid from the Ministry of Culture is to strengthen access to reading and the participation of citizens in culture in the rural environment. Thus, it is part of the objectives set by the Plenary of the Library Cooperation Council for the Strategic Plan 2024-2028, focused on sustainability, accessibility, technological innovation and the professionalization of the library sector. Precisely, the first strategic line of this fourth plan is to promote sustainability and universal accessibility in libraries and increase access to libraries and library services.