Bances Candamo Municipal Public Library

The Bances Candamo Municipal Public Library is the head library of the Avilés Municipal Library Network, which also includes the libraries of La Luz, Los Canapés, La Carriona, and the Valliniello Reading Center.

Between 1919 and 1921, the Student Residence of Madrid, dependent on the Free Institution of Teaching, developed a campaign to promote popular libraries with the aim of extending education for adults. Under this campaign, an important library movement was born in Asturias, driven by a vigorous reformist bourgeoisie whose goal was to convey the benefits of culture to all social classes. In Avilés, this movement materialized in 1919 when, at the initiative of the Reformist Party deputy José Manuel Pedregal, an organizing committee was formed with the aim of creating a popular library. Both this committee and the first Board in charge of managing it were made up of illustrious residents of Avilés, presided over by Fortunato Sánchez Calvo. The City Council collaborated in the project by providing a classroom in the building of the National Schools of San Francisco and committing to provide an annual subsidy.

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