Libraries often possess a special rarefied atmosphere, and Argentina’s National Library is no exception. Perhaps it’s because the famous writer and lover of literary fantasies and labyrinths Jorge Luis Borges was a former director; or perhaps it’s because of the treasures among the million titles stored here, including several incunables. Or perhaps it’s because of the landmark location in a purpose-built Brutalist edifice constructed over the ruins of what was Perón and Evita’s presidential residence in Recoleta.

 

The building, opened in 1992, offers an incredible view over the river from the reading and study rooms on the fifth floor. The majority of the books are stored out of sight in the library’s three basements and are transported up to the reading room by lifts on request. Dealing with all these, often vary varied requests is a team of dedicated librarians.

 

 

“People stay here for hours,” says Susana Gudalewicz, surveying the bright sunlit 5th floor reading room where dozens of casual readers and students have installed themselves to browse and study while drinking mate. Some are likely to stay right through until closing time at midnight. 

 

“It’s a beautiful place to study because it has this modern space with this incredible view,” she says. “together with the beautiful old furniture from the old library. I can understand why some people choose to spend all day here.”

As a child, Susana could never have known that in 1995 her birthday, April 23, would become World Book day, but it seems fitting for someone who has spent two decades dedicated to preserving books and putting them in the hands of readers. She began work at the library 20 years ago, having trained at the library’s own school of librarians, which was founded by Borges in 1956.

 

“Something certainly always connected me with books,” she says. "Many people ask what I do because they don’t get exactly what a librarian does, and I always explain that we’re the intermediary between the book and user who wants to find information. We have to try to find what they’re looking for.”

 

“It’s a lovely task for anyone who likes books and who likes learning because you have to know where everything is, and every enquiry means learning something new. Anyone who like books falls in love with the library. Entering the books, adding the subject, checking everything is ok. You have to know a bit about everything, and you fall more and more in love with the library.”

 

After so many years of experience at the library, she’s very sure of its purpose: “If you have a one-off book in your house, it serves no purpose. If it’s in a library, this information is spread. This is a library’s mission - to preserve material and distribute it to future generations.”

 

Visit the Mariano Moreno National Library in Recoleta. 

 

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