This project, extending until 2030, is conceived as a fundamental strategic axis to ensure equitable access to culture and to consolidate the library's role as an essential public service close to citizens. The initiative places particular emphasis on increasing reading rates, with special attention to Catalan language and young audiences.
“"Today we present a Reading Promotion Plan for the period 2026-2030 with the clear objective of increasing reading rates in our region, especially in Catalan and among young people. We understand reading not only as a habit, but as an essential tool for personal development, social cohesion and equitable access to knowledge for all our neighbors."
The vice president of the Alt Urgell Regional Council, Carme Espuga, expressed confidence in the plan's continuity, despite funding from the Department of Culture depending on the approval of new budgets. Espuga emphasized that it is a strategic investment for the region, with a cost she considers reasonable.
“"The Sant Agustí Municipal Library once again demonstrates its commitment to the region through the Reading Promotion Plan, which aims to reach all corners of Alt Urgell by carrying out networked activities with different educational agents."
For his part, the mayor of la Seu d'Urgell, Joan Barrera, highlighted the commitment of the Sant Agustí Municipal Library to the territory, emphasizing the plan's intention to reach all municipalities in Alt Urgell through coordinated activities with educational agents. The City Council, he added, will continue to support the library and its resources.
The reading plan establishes four priority areas for improvement in the coming years: expanding activities for young audiences, increasing digital reading presence, promoting itinerant activities for smaller municipalities, and consolidating a fixed regional calendar. For effective long-term implementation, the project's report suggests the need to add an additional librarian to the staff and formalize a stable agreement between the involved institutions.
The project, developed with a participatory methodology that included surveys of ESO and Baccalaureate students and working groups with cultural agents, aims to foster reading habits at all stages of life, with special attention to children, young people, families, seniors, and groups at risk of cultural exclusion, adapting to the territorial diversity of the region.
Among the actions already implemented or underway, highlights include reading clubs for adults, theater, and easy reading in various locations such as La Seu, Tuixent, Coll de Nargó, and Organyà, as well as at the Esplai de la gent gran (senior citizens' center). Projects such as 'Born to Read' and traveling suitcases for schools and nurseries, intergenerational activities, promotion of local authors, and participation in events like the Llegendària Festival and the Pirineu Book Fair, in addition to literary competitions such as the Joles Sennell Prize and the WhatsApp short story contest, have also been promoted.
