Year after year, the program, “My vacations in the Biblioteca,” represents a great opportunity for children in the community of San Miguel de Allende to come to this institution for several weeks and discover the option of recreational reading, as well as numerous activities. What’s more, these young children, teenagers and adults enjoy well-deserved scholastic vacations in the library. Children and mothers participate in rustic jewelry program at the Biblioteca in San Miguel de Allende

The program “My vacations in the Biblioteca” was initiated by the National Library Board, part of the National Council for Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA), in the mid-eighties. These workshops were set up to supplement reading within the National Network of Public Libraries.

The Biblioteca Pública de San Miguel de Allende, part of that network, began in 2004 to offer the program during the summertime. This year, from July 20 to August 21, 141 children participated in various workshops, each structured in five 60–70-minute sessions. In each session, different activities were distributed for reading, writing and group integration, as well as collaboration from the children acting in the theater workshop.

Through this experience and from working directly with the children in the Sala Infantil, we have realized that in the process of teaching children to be active readers, the development of writing skills is also very important. Experts agree on this matter: reading and writing are actions that work together to stimulate imagination in children and encourage them to find enjoyment in reading.

The principal themes for the supplementary reading on this occasion were: Mexican Independence, the Mexican Revolution and the International Year of Astronomy—2009 was named so by UNESCO. With these readings we anticipate celebrations of the Bicentenary of Mexican Independence, the Centenary of the Mexican Revolution and commemorate the 400 years that have passed since the Children enjoy summer art program at the Biblioteca in San Miuguel de Allende Italian astronomer, Galileo Galilei, first used the telescope. As we promote diverse reading and research activities, games and the diffusion of library services, we also encourage the use of the existing cultural resources in the Biblioteca.

In these workshops there is an important balance between moments of rest and movement. Above all we tried to alternate a variety of activities in turn with the reading that the children did on their own and in groups.

Other activities offered for young children and teenagers included workshops for science, craft jewelry, piano, guitar, chess, English, theater and painting. All are focused on involving the participants in literature, science and culture, trying to awaken the reasoning and rational side found in all of us. Also, drawing classes were offered as a focused activity for adults.

The Biblioteca’s mission is to provide, promote and maintain cultural and educational activities; this mission is carried out and developed day after day.

Additional Photos of Summer Programs at the Biblioteca

Example of kids jewelry from Biblioteca Summer course