Was it destiny or chance that brought forty people together one May night in 1909? These people wanted to share knowledge. They wanted to make reading a habit. From this desire, the Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield was born.
The Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield stands as the oldest public library in Córdoba. For over a century, it has democratized access to information. It helps form engaged citizens. These citizens actively participate in shaping their present.
The word “popular” in the library’s name is no accident. It reflects a philosophy that began in 1870 with Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. He created these establishments that thrive thanks to community support. That is the difference between a popular library and a public one. A popular library relies on the collective effort of a neighborhood. A public library is supported by the government.
Originally, the Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield was in a house at Lima and Ovidio Lagos. A table, twelve chairs, and five hundred books were enough. They stimulated the minds of many neighbors. The “Assembly of the 42” inspired them. They eagerly used the library’s resources to learn and imagine.
This enthusiasm spread quickly. Provincial and national organizations noticed it. They provided resources to build the library’s prestige. The Government of Córdoba donated money. The Honorable Deliberative Council offered a monthly subsidy. Other provinces donated books and magazines.
Rapid growth meant finding a larger space. The Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield moved to the corner of Lima and Félix Frías in 1913. It rented the house from the Clariá family. It remains there to this day. In 1921, Governor Rafael Núñez authorized funds to purchase the building. This gave the library’s board full autonomy.
The Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield now had a large central hall. It was perfect for public events. There were reading rooms and meeting rooms. A small room was for chess. Petrei Hnos. provided study tables that are still used today. The architectural design was impressive. Inspectors elevated the library to the top tier. It joined a select group of fifty libraries nationwide.
The Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield also fostered important institutions. In 1913, railway workers founded Club Central Córdoba. It is now known as Club Atlético Talleres. Similarly, Club Gimnasia y Esgrima was founded a year later. It is now Club General Paz Junior’s.
Juan Filloy called the Biblioteca Velez Sarsfield the “shining brain of Pueblo General Paz.” This institution has served Córdoba for over a century. Time has not diminished its importance. The library hosts debates, film screenings, and events. From five hundred books, the Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield now has over sixty thousand volumes.
In 2006, the city recognized the Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield. It was added to the “Catalog of Real Estate and Heritage Sites.” Later, in 2009, it was declared a National Historical Monument. In 2012, the province declared the building a Provincial Historical Monument.
Today, about 500 members participate in theater, film, and reading activities. The Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield remains a vital artistic space for the community. The “Assembly of the 42” shaped the future. Now we are surrounded by the books the Biblioteca Popular Velez Sarsfield tirelessly offers.