National Library, All Knowledge
Despite the passing of time, José Martí National Library, maintains its essence as headquarters of knowledge, is one of the Cuban institutions that exceeded the centenary of its existence
By Ana Margarita Sánchez Soler asanchez@enet.cu
José Martí National Library is one of the Cuban institutions that exceed the centenary of its existence. It was founded in 1901 and despite the time it maintains knowledge as its essence. Its wide content encompasses the most diverse information fields whether cultural, geographical, historical or scientific.
Its current headquarters was inaugurated in 1958 and continues treasuring several thousands of books. The building invites by itself to explore the various rooms: General Services, References, Cuban Collection, Art, Ethnology among other.
The information can be more than a random decision. Although some people come to study, research or work, others find in the consulted texts a pleasant motivation. Going after everything that is useful and unknown is always a right choise. Launching over the bookcases with closed eyes can turn into a journey of broad destinations.
First of all, there are tempting collections with books from Martí with over a thousand titles or that with Rare Books with materials from the 15th century. Music lovers have the possibility to trace origins and evolution of multiple sounds in the music collection.
Another very attractive option is the photo library which includes the original works and its negatives. Users have also access to digital information, since the media library offers diverse contents in that format. Referrals by email, audition service, loan and guided visits are other services offered by the Library.
If we consider that a lifetime is not enough to fully examine these amount of information, then time takes the lead. There is in it a suggestion beating from every wall of the National Library. Going in is only the first step.
Translated by ESTI