Gabriela Mistral Regional Library

The Gabriela Mistral Regional Library is the latest addition to Chile’s growing National System of Public Libraries. Located in La Serena, it serves central-northern Chile’s Coquimbo Region. Construction of the modern five-floor library began in 2016 and it opened in early 2018.

The Library forms part of a new cultural and heritage complex that also includes the Casa de Las Palmeras (House of the Palm Trees), which once belonged to Nobel poet Gabriela Mistral.

The adobe house was acquired by the poet in 1925 after she returned to Chile from Mexico. The new Library, with an area of 5,592 square meters, was built in accordance with strict environmental standards and was the first in the Coquimbo Region to obtain certification as a sustainable building.  

Services

The services offered by the Gabriela Mistral Regional Library include: 

• Reading rooms. The Library’s different sections include a Regional Room (with books about the Coquimbo Region’s history and heritage as well as the work of local authors), an Infants’ Room (0-3 years), a +18 Room and a +60 Room.
• Co-working rooms. The Library is equipped with three co-working rooms, especially designed for use by entrepreneurs, artists, researchers and social organizations in the development of their collaborative projects. 
• Meeting/study rooms. The LibraryIt also has a number of other meeting and study rooms available for use by the community. 
• IT services. Under Chile’s BiblioRedes computer-access program, the Library has an IT laboratory. As well as Internet access, it offers training courses. The Library is also equipped with Wi-Fi. 
• Cultural activities. The Library has a 100-seat auditorium as well as areas for exhibitions.