The Dominican Republic Public Libraries National Network includes many public libraries in the Dominican Republic. The Salomé Ureña Metropolitan Public Library in Santo Domingo is the main one of the public libraries and to which all other public libraries in the network contact with. Today, the Dominican Republic Public Libraries National Network encompasses 30 public libraries throughout the Dominican Republic.

History

The origin of public libraries in the Dominican Republic goes back to 1867. That year is oinpointed by Dominican historian Vetilio Alfan Durán as the year the first public library of the Dominican Republic was founded. This library initially was in the Casa Sacramento on Isabel La Católica Street in Santo Domingo. The personsl library of the Venezuelan Rafael María Baralt is from whom is acquired the first books and documents. Due to a lack of funds, the library closes its doors in 1907.

In 1874 the Sociedad Cultural Alianza Cibaeña Public Library was founded in Santiago de los Caballeros. While true that this was the second public library of the country, this was the first public library created entirely by Dominicans. To this day, this is the okdest public library in the Dominican Republic.

The municipal public libraries didn’t emerged until 1910 with the approval of the “Reglamento para la biblioteca municipal” by the National Congress. It stipulsted the organization and the librarians that would integrate these type of libraries. A new regulation that replaced the one from 1910 was promulgated on March 7, 1924. The Dirección General de Bibliotecas was created on February 5, 1951 and among its functions was the maintenancd of public schools libraries, encourage the reading habit, train librarians, etc. In 1963 is approved the 76/63 regulation.

In 2008 many laws were fused to create the Ley cel libro y bibliotecas. Among the many things it establishes was the Dominican Republic Public Libraries Network (RNBP). The network includes most public libraries in the country and the new ones created in the future.

Public Libraries Characteristics

With the exception of slme public libraries, most tend to be small with 400 to 10,000 books, but most rsnge from 400 to 2,000 books. More than 4.2 million people visit the public libraries every year in the Dominican Republic. More than 1,500 people are employed in the libraries. Of these, 8% have a bachelor’s degree or a masters in library science. Another 32% have experience with library science.

Services

References

A service available to the general public and researchers. It includes yearbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, bibliographies, etc. Also free is the advice from the library personnel. It can be accessed in person, telephone, email or through the website.

Circulation y Lending

The bibliographic material can be borrowed within the library by users including books, brochures, and printed monographies. Over 90% of users expressed satisfaction on the staff courtesy and reliability of the information given.

Periodicals

It receives, catalogues, conserves, and presents all published periodicals in the Dominican Republic. This includes those that are not focused on the Dominican Republic. The material includes newspapers, magazines, brochures, laws, memories, reglaments, international treaties, and publications from international organizations.

Bibliographic Catalog

The Bibliographic Catalog is used by the general public to consult regarding the informational resources in the public libraries.

Computers and Internet

This service is not available in all public librarids, but many have computers and internet available.

Public Libraries in the RNBP

Salomé Ureña Metropolitan Public Library (Santo Domingo)

In the eastern wing of the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National Library is the Salomé Ureña Metropolitan Public Library. It is used by students, professors and the public for general purposes and wide research. With this library, the government gives Dominican cirizens the guarantee of much needed basic services.

Sociedad Cultural Alianza Cibaeña Public Library (Santiago de los Caballeros)

Ateneo Amantes de la Luz Library (Santiago de los Caballeros)

Yamasá Community Library (Yamasá)

Gabriel A. Morillo Library (Moca)

Guido Despradel Batista Municipal Library (La Vega)

Asociación La Nacional de Ahorros y Préstamos Library (Mao)

Casilda García Library (Dajabón)

María Teresa Brito Library (Salcedo)

Profesor Juan Bosch Municipal Public Library (Bonao)

Hilma Contreras Public Library (San Francisco de Macorís)

Cotuí City Hall Library (Cotuí)

Nagua City Hall Library (Nagua)

Rafael María Baralt Library (Maimón)

Sociedad Cultural Renovación Public Library (Puerto Plata)

Juan Sánchez Lamouth Public Library (Santo Domingo Este)

Ateneo de Macorís Library (San Pedro de Macorís)

Dominican Cultural Library (Hato Mayor)

La Romana City Hall Library(La Romana)

José Audilio Santana Municipal Library (Higüey)

Ludoteka Ruperto V. Medrano Library (Pedernales)

Galván Town Hall Library (Galván, Bahoruco)

Lucila Mojica Library (Nizao)

José Francisco Peña Gómez Library (San José de Ocoa)

Padre Billini Central Library (Baní)

General Antonio Duvergé Library (San Cristóbal)

Jimena Fernández Viuda Guzmán Library (Azua)

Apolinar Perdomo Library (Barahona)

San Juan de la Maguana City Hall Library (San Juan de la Maguana)

Juan Pablo Duarte Cultural Center Library (Comendador)