Although it was in the Old Town (tourist) area, it wasn't easy to find . . . most people including police hadn't heard of it or didn't know where it was. It turned out to be in a cultural center near the presidential palace. And while it called itself the public library, it didn't feel very public at all, nor did it seem to be embraced or even utilized by regular folks, except in the kids area. It was grande, in parts:
Entryway, looking into a special limited-access room.
Beautiful courtyard, with collection rooms off the corridors.
Old -- not rare old, just old -- books, which do not circulate. Each collection room open to the public had a guard posted at the doorway.
Elegant staircase leading up to the children's area. Photos show no people because hardly any were about. The guards and personnel spoke very little English, worse than most places, a bit of a surprise.
Ahh, the Children's Area! In the Children's area, there was stuff going on, kids engaged, books available that were mostly age appropriate, posters, a good energy and vibe. The librarian's stink eye kept me from taking photos of any activities, so just shelves are here, but there was laughter, focus, absorbed thought, engaged children on the other side of the room.
The Obamas, Selma Hayak, an Ecuadorian soccer dude all in Read posters. Nice.
The cultural center had an art exhibit just outside the library, including this inclusive poster. Also nice to see.
I hope I've missed something about public libraries in Quito.
This bookstore, Mister Books, in a mall, was very well stocked, with mostly Spanish, but some English books. Stephanie Meyer offerings, below.
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Btw, I feel in retrospect I was a little harsh on this library. I know little, but suspect it was simply a research library, and my ignorance fueled by its name led to the disappointment.
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