Third Anniversary Celebration of the Dominican Republic’s Children and Youth Library

Third Anniversary Celebration of the Dominican Republic’s Children and Youth Library
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, May 10, 2012

During its three years of service, the Dominican Republic’s Children and Youth Library has had 290,616 visitors.

Hundreds of young children, teenagers, and young adults, who are users of the Dominican Republic’s Children and Youth Library, as well as friends and employees of the cultural center, gathered in the Exhibits Hall to sing “Happy Birthday” and celebrate the third anniversary of the BIJRD.

Hundreds of young children, teenagers, and young adults, who are users of the Dominican Republic’s Children and Youth Library, as well as friends and employees of the cultural center, gathered in the Exhibits Hall to sing “Happy Birthday” and celebrate the third anniversary of the BIJRD.

Teresa Peralta, Director of the BIJRD, led the celebration, along with Deputy Director of Administration, Angélica Pérez, and Luis Moisés Rojas, Deputy Director of Technology.

Since its inauguration in May of 2009, hundreds of visitors from Villa Consuelo, San Carlos, Gázcue, Don Bosco, and other nearby villages, as well as from all over the national territory, have visited the BIJRD.

School and college students and instructors from all over the countryshow up at the cultural center on a daily basis so they can become familiar with the facilities and take part in the program of activities that are being developed there.

The Dominican Republic’s Children and Youth Library (BIJRD) is an initiative created by the First Lady, Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernandez. Its vision is to promote the habits of reading and writing among young children and youth.

This library model, the only one of its kind in the Dominican Republic and in the Americas, has caused great enthusiasm among its users, both because of its infrastructure and equipment as well as for the educational, training, and recreation program it offers free of charge to the entire community.

During its first year of serviceBIJRD had 78,998 visitors. From May of 2010 until April of 2011, it had a total of 97,040; and in this past year, there were 114,578 visitors, for a grand total of 290,616 people of different ages who have turned this library into their favorite place for reading and researching information.