A new national directory has been launched to bring together Puerto Rico's libraries on a single digital platform, making it easier for students, researchers, and the general public to find these spaces and learn about the services they offer. The Directorio Nacional de Bibliotecas de Puerto Rico is the result of a collaboration between Libraries Without Borders US, the Sociedad de Bibliotecarios de Puerto Rico, the Consorcio de Bibliotecas Metropolitanas, and the Centro de Conservación y Restauración de Puerto Rico.
The project has identified the number of active libraries, the types of collections they hold, the services they offer, and the needs they face. According to Héctor Berdecía, director of CENCOR, the directory serves as more than just a list of institutions, but as a research tool to understand the state of libraries in Puerto Rico.
The idea for the directory began in 2022, and its creation was necessary due to the lack of an official registry of libraries in the country. The directory also aims to expand the traditional perception of what a library represents, highlighting the resources and services they offer beyond books, such as technological resources, community programming, and workshops for different audiences.