Name of the Library Jaume Fuster Library
Parent Organisation: Biblioteques de Barcelona
Street Address: Plaça Lesseps, 20-22
Postal Address: Plaça Lesseps, 20-22 08023 Barcelona
Telephone : +34 933684564
Web Address: http://www.bcn.cat/bibjaumefuster
Library Email: b.barcelona.jf@diba.cat
Type of Library : District Library
Population served: 120,976
Project Type : New Building
Size (square metres): 5.636 m2
Date of Completion: 2005
Architect: Josep Llinàs
Description
The library Jaume Fuster is part of Biblioteques de Barcelona (Barcelona Libraries), the entity that manages the network of 40 public libraries in the city.
Jaume Fuster (1945-1998) was an outstanding writer who turned his hand to various genres, including detective fiction, the epic, the novel and political journalism. He was also an excellent translator, and received the Serra d’Or critics’ prize in 1989 for his Catalan translation of Albert Cohen’s novel Belle Du Seigneur. Besides contributing articles to the major Catalan media, Fuster was also a film and televisions scriptwriter.
The library collection encompasses more than 105,000 documents, on different supports and in different fields, which is increased each month by new acquisitions. A selection of newspapers and magazines is also available.
The library contains documents referring to Gràcia district (associations, artists, writers, history, customs, traditions, etc.), as well as works written by authors from or with particular links to the neighbourhood. The local collection also includes local magazines and information about the annual local festivities, the Festa Major de Gràcia.
The library is devoted particularly to travel. Moreover, it also focuses on the following centres of interest and collections:
• Self-access language learning
• Biel Moll collection
• Bruguera collection
• Compulsory reading at IES and CEIP primary and secondary schools
• Mexico and Argentina
• Parents’ corner
• Catalan rumba
The Jaume Fuster library organises a wide range of different activities for all: book clubs, storytelling, seminars, children’s workshops… These activities are aimed at transmitting the pleasure of reading and encouraging users to discover new authors and learn more about current issues, linked always to the books and other materials in the library.
The programme Molt per aprendre (“Lots to Learn”) includes two seasons: Creacions (workshops devoted to writing, oral and visual arts) and the Aula Digital (introductory activities to computers, photography, self-access language learning, freeware and creating blogs).
The library also supports the education community by welcoming schools visits and providing facilities and services, as well as organising digital literacy programmes. As an ACTIC testing centre, the library enables students to sit the examinations to obtain the official certificate. Moreover, the library is a member of the Antenes Cibernàrium network of technology training points. These educational facilities are completed by the organisation of language exchange groups.
Awards, case studies, further information
In 2006, the building was awarded both the Fad Architecture Prize and the Catalonia National Prize for Architecture and Public Space.
1001 Libraries to see before you die 