The regional government of Asturias will celebrate Library Day on 24 October, with a programme of events designed to encourage the public to engage with these vital spaces for reading and knowledge. This year’s celebration coincides with a significant milestone for the Asturian library system, marked by the introduction of the first Library and Reading Promotion Law in the region.
The forthcoming legislation aims to establish a common framework to strengthen and organise the public library network, promote cooperation between administrations, and ensure access to library services across the territory, with particular focus on rural areas.
In 2025, Asturian public libraries recorded a total of 1,879,012 visits and conducted over 900,000 physical loans. They also organised 6,706 cultural activities, engaging 138,518 participants. Throughout the year, libraries added 77,039 new documents to their collections, which now total over 3.1 million items.
Beyond their traditional roles as reading and lending centres, libraries have evolved into spaces for community engagement and participation. They offer a variety of activities, including reading clubs, children's programmes, workshops, and cultural events that promote learning and knowledge exchange.
Activities for all audiences
The open and participatory nature of libraries will be reflected in the activities planned for Library Day. In Oviedo, the Biblioteca de Asturias Ramón Pérez de Ayala will host two theatrical visits at 11:00 and 12:30, requiring prior registration. In the afternoon, at 18:00, the library will present a children's theatre performance titled 'Andersen' by EPO Producciones.
Meanwhile, the Biblioteca Pública Jovellanos in Gijón will kick off the day at 11:00 with a guided tour titled 'Come and get to know your library.' At 12:00, 'The Song of the Whale,' a classical music listening activity for children, will take place. The programme will continue at 17:30 with a musical event called 'Song for Two' and conclude at 18:30 with the launch of 'Leer(nos),' a new reading club focused on works related to women and well-being. Registration is also required for these last two activities.
Numerous municipal libraries will join in the celebrations with their own cultural and reading promotion activities. A complete programme can be found on the Biblioasturias website.
A law to strengthen the library network
This year, the Asturian government approved the draft Library and Reading Promotion Law, which is currently undergoing parliamentary processing. The aim of the legislation is to enhance the organisation of the public network, strengthen cooperation between administrations, and ensure that access to library services is not dependent on one’s place of residence.
Among the proposed measures is a requirement for all municipalities with more than 2,000 inhabitants to have at least one public library. For smaller municipalities, the draft law includes various provisions to ensure service delivery, such as mobile libraries and dual-use libraries. The future law also encompasses measures to promote reading, improve accessibility, and support the Asturian and Eonavian languages within the library context. Through this initiative, the regional government aims to fortify the public library network and ensure cultural rights are upheld across the region, allowing everyone, regardless of their location, to access quality library services.
