Chile launches mobile libraries to reach remote communities

The Chilean National Cultural Heritage Service (SERPAT) has inaugurated new mobile library services, known as Bibliomóviles, to improve access to reading and cultural resources in isolated regions.

In the Magallanes Region, a new 4x4 vehicle equipped with photovoltaic panels and the capacity to carry approximately 1,500 books was launched in Punta Arenas. This unit is specifically designed to navigate difficult terrain, including snow and mud, to reach communities in Tierra del Fuego and other remote areas. The project involved a state investment of 169 million pesos and includes a “traveling box” initiative, where book collections are lent to local community groups for set periods.

Similarly, in the Atacama Region, a Bibliomóvil has been introduced to serve schools and public spaces in rural areas like Copiapó. This initiative aims to reduce territorial gaps by providing diverse collections, including children's literature, comics, and poetry, alongside mediation activities to foster reading habits in underserved populations.