Diriamba Public Library

Driving into Diriamba you will run into the clock tower; that’s how you know where you are, in the “city of the big clock”. It was imported from Germany in the late 1920s and has been running since 1935. Diriamba is also known for its performances every January of “The Güegüense”, a production that includes music, dance, and theater. Diriamba boasts of a mild climate which is conducive to coffee production. Coffee has historically been the reason for Diriamba’s growth and success as a city with a current population of just over 30,000.

The Public Library of Diriamba has been functioning since 1978 and currently has a collection of around 4,200 books. Its location is perfect; situated within a fenced-in park in a central location of the city. People of all ages come to the park to chat with friends, relax, eat lunch, and use the playground. In addition, many can be found visiting the library to do homework or to simply read a book. Most of the population cannot afford to buy the textbooks needed for school which is why the library is vital in the education of many in Diriamba. The level of education in Nicaragua is not great, and the people of Diriamba know that raising the level of education the youth receive will give them a future filled with improved opportunities.

The city of Diriamba needs partners to continue raising the level of education. While the city has enough money to pay the salary of the librarian there is not enough left to buy new books, computers, and other resources. There are plans to expand the existing site since it is used by so many and growing out of its current limits. The library is crucial in helping develop the community by supplementing education and therefore equipping individuals to become positive and contributing members of society. The current and most important needs of the Diriamba Public Library are:

Books

Computers

Internet

Francisco Javier Mendieta is a 70ish year old man that visits the library frequently, not only because he’s retired and has free time, but also because he loves literature. He has received many literary awards and he attributes his success to the help books have given him. He promotes reading in the community and students go to him when they need help with an assignment or just to learn from his expertise. Francisco is an example of a life greatly affected by literature…how many other lives is the library of Diriamba affecting in the same way and how many more could it affect by acquiring more resources? (Below is an old photograph of Francisco helping a student at the library.)