Library of Congress to launch book centre in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico is finally getting its own branch of the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book.

The Library has set up such centres to promote interest in reading and books in all U.S. states, as well as the District of Colombia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The new centre will hold book fairs, host readings and organize guided walking tours of literary sites in the historic part of Puerto Rico’s capital known as Old San Juan. It also may offer podcasts and webinars in Spanish.

The Library of Congress said in a statement on Wednesday that the centre will be based at the Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico.

It’s scheduled to open in late January with a reading by U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith.