The Deputy Minister of Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Horacio Umpiérrez, affirmed on Thursday that the children’s and youth section of the Public Library of the State of Santa Cruz de Tenerife “will be fully operational” in two weeks, “when a new staff member commences.”
Horacio Umpiérrez made these remarks to EFE after a number of families expressed concerns regarding the closure of this children’s area for three weeks, and announced a protest in front of the library on October 30 at 6:00 p.m.
.
The deputy councillor explained that the children’s area had been closed for two weeks due to a staff member’s holiday, and added that over the past month and a half, the space has been open every other week due to staffing shortages, following a retirement.
In this situation, he confirmed that an internal competition for the recruitment of a new staff member will be announced in the forthcoming days, which will allow the children’s section to reopen and resume its previously established activities.
The families’ spokesperson, Carolina de Vera, expressed her disappointment, stating that children’s culture “should not be subjected to intermittent censorship,” and pointed out that it is impractical to utilise the space if it opens and closes without any prior notice.
“We are thoroughly confused and quite frustrated, if I’m honest,” admitted the spokesperson, who is calling for a permanent resolution for the children’s and youth section of the Public Library of the State of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. She has also demanded a regular schedule and consistent cultural programming for children and toddlers.
Furthermore, she stated that families cannot comprehend why there is inadequate investment of tax funds, while stressing the crucial need for children to have access to cultural activities; otherwise, they will take action to ensure this does not occur.
According to the families, there have been continual closures in the children’s and youth section since September, attributed to staff shortages. Since the start of 2024, they have “clearly” observed a decline in the number of new materials and activities, with criticism directed at the fact that there has been no budget allocated for this purpose this year.
