From 19 to 21 February 2026, we gathered at the General Assembly with the coordinators of the Rural Libraries, the teachers from the Rural Libraries in educational institutions, some volunteers, the central team and the Permanent Council of the Rural Libraries Network of Cajamarca. Days of minga, book swaps, laughter, learning, reading and reflection.
At this assembly, we took plenty of time to understand where we come from, what we can contribute to society and how being part of the Network shapes us.
At Rural Libraries, we learn the profound meaning of CRIANZA (upbringing). For when we speak of rural libraries, we speak of the Andes, and thus of crianza: the cultivation of potatoes and other foods, seeds, plants and small animals; crianza implies care and protection, conversation and attunement with life.
But Rural Libraries is also AYLLU, understood as an extended family, the community of those who love and respect one another. Ayllu are the mountains and lakes, the trees, the stones that are alive and converse; the hummingbirds, like ‘winged gods’, the small animals, the humans or runes: all are part of this great Andean librarian family.
And, likewise, Rural Libraries has taught us that the APUS, our sacred mountains, possess strength and vitality; they are and exist, they accompany us and converse with us. They are Wak’a mountains, protectors and guardians, a place where the power of the community manifests itself.
Being part of Rural Libraries is, then, all of that. And it is our desire and duty to continue teaching and sharing this way of seeing and living life.
