News
Library of Trem da Vale project wins Pontos de Leitura award
Wednesday January 7th, 2009The Mariana Station Children’s and Youth’s Library was one of the initiatives selected in the first edition of the Pontos de Leitura Contest - Machado de Assis Edition, promoted by the Ministry of Culture. The Contest held in November and December 2008, was aimed at rewarding actions that democratize the access to books and encourage the practice of reading. The selected initiatives received a kit of materials for the library worth R$ 20.000,00.
In the Contest’s first edition, 702 projects from around the country were enrolled, 516 of which being awarded a prize. As a reward for having been selected, the Mariana Station Children’s and Youth’s Library will receive a kit consisting of, at least, 500 books - 50% of which being fiction works, 25% non-fiction, and 25% reference material - plus a computer, printer, and basic furnishings - a rubber-matted rug, cushions, puffs, book stands, tables, and chairs. The number of books and titles to be sent to each awarded initiative will be chosen by the National Library. The kits are scheduled to be delivered by the end of January, according to the Pontos de Leitura Contest organization.
Ongoing Actions
The archive of Mariana Station Children’s and Youth’s Library already comprises over four thousand books, along with DVDs and videos, periodicals, access to computers with Internet connections, a toy library as well as Oral History archives. The initiative promotes a schedule of free cultural programs, which includes reading, music, and Cordel literature circuits, sarau (evening social events), workshops, and expositions. By the end of January 2009, the Library will have implemented a book loan system.
The Children’s and Youth’s Library is part of Trem da Vale patrimonial education program, which encompasses a set of powerful cultural actions focused on appreciating the cultural heritage of the municipalities of Ouro Preto and Mariana. The program is managed by Fundação Vale (Vale Foundation), sponsored by Vale with direct investments and supported by the Federal Law for Encouragement of Culture. The project’s executor partner is Santa Rosa Bureau Cultural (SRBC) and its institutional partners are Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica (FCA), the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Brazilian Ministry of Culture, Brazilian Association of Railway Preservation (ABPF), and the Municipal Governments of Ouro Preto and Mariana.
