A new space for reading, art, and creativity aimed at children and adolescents will open in Esmeraldas on December 11. The facility, located at the Museo y Centro Cultural de Esmeraldas on Bolívar Avenue and Piedrahita corner, is expected to benefit around 3,200 children each year.
The project has an investment of $46,325.77 and includes renovated infrastructure, custom-designed furniture, books, educational materials, art kits, and technological equipment. This initiative is part of the Ludobiliotecas project led by Fundación Unidos por la Educación (UxE) and aligns with Ecuador’s “National Policy for the Promotion of Reading, Orality and Access to Books (2024-2030)” from the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.
Funding comes mainly from Fundación Crisfe/Diners Club and the National Library of Ecuador. Additional support is provided by Corporación/Fundación Favorita and Corporación El Rosado.
The museum will be open to the public from Tuesday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Ludobibliotecas project aims for national reach across all 24 provinces in Ecuador through collaboration between public and private sectors as well as tax incentives that allow a 150% deduction for cultural sponsorships.
After each ludobiblioteca is established with its infrastructure and equipment nationwide, reading mediation programs will be implemented so that communities can take ownership of these spaces.
“The objective of this public-private effort is to ensure that each ludobiblioteca becomes a place where culture stops being something you ‘look at’ to become something you ‘live’ through play, books, and imagination,” according to organizers.
