Librarians' leadership promoting reading, libraries and publishing in Peru: a joint experience of libraries and librarians, publishers, authorities and other stakeholders

This paper presents the work done by a group of Peruvian librarians to submit a bid for Lima to be considered as UNESCO World Book Capital for the year 2021. In this task they show their leadership and advocacy capacity to propose a candidacy for UNESCO’s call. Librarians worked with the National Library, the College of Peruvian Librarians, the Cultural Attaché of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other key stakeholders from public and private sectors, to prepare and submit the proposal. Particular importance has been given to the essential role of public libraries to offer different opportunities to the population, ranging from reading promotion and cultural activities, to community information and self-development opportunities for the citizens. Lima has almost one third of the whole country’s population and many difficulties common to big cities, specially violence, traffic chaos, informal workers, and the like; but also has a rich culture, beautiful architecture and a valuable heritage, that should be kept and shown to all the world. Libraries, museums, publishers, editors, book sellers, artists and, in general, all entities involved in cultural development are called to support this goal. The group continues working to achieve the goals proposed, designed within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and required by UNESCO to all candidates. The support to reading promotion and community information centers, which are current common activities, will continue to be the same even if Lima is not selected for the year 2021. The bid will be submitted next year.