The library has established itself as a welcoming and safe space for many neighborhood residents, including homeless people or those with mental health issues. Its work goes beyond lending books, offering a free place to access information and charge mobile devices. The manager, who was born in the Gòtic neighborhood, emphasizes that she holds the Raval close to her heart and that working there is “great fun.”
“"Yes, we have noticed an increase in requests for certificates, the document that proves the date you obtained your library card."
The increase in new users is remarkable: from 3,405 new cards in 2024, the number rose to 5,533 last year. This figure far exceeds the average for the 41 library network in Barcelona (1,560). This influx is due to community work, literacy groups (Catalan and Spanish), and word-of-mouth, attracting users from across the metropolitan area.
Regarding reading, the librarian stresses the importance of emotion in learning, citing neuroeducation. She criticizes the lack of libraries and librarians in many schools and institutes. Furthermore, she regrets that the Raval is the only district in Barcelona without a district library, hoping that the expansion project, currently operating through La Bonnemaison, will soon be unblocked.
