Vision:
To enrich the lives of the people of our community by creating a place that inspires literacy, art, education, and social engagement.
Our Mission:
Tierras Altas Library offers a welcoming and supportive environment where:
books spark the imagination, encourage literacy and a life-long love of reading
people discover, create and share information and ideas
families and friends gather to enjoy cultural and community activities
The Foundation for Art and Culture, Tierras Altas was established by a group of civic-minded booklovers who are working to reopen the library/community center for the people in the Western Highlands of Panama. The area once had a very popular library and community center. It was founded in 1961 by an Oblate Benedictine Monk, Brother Elred Wetli. When you ask long-time residents about it, they have many fond memories of both the library and Brother Elred.
Many residents credit the existence of the library with changing their lives through the English classes and other education they received in the library. They also remember it has a community center where families would gather. The library not only had books, they also loaned out toys on the weekend.
Sadly the library did not survive the Brother’s passing. The library was closed in 2013 and the books were left inside to suffer the elements. Though all the books were covered in dust and smelled of mold, some are still in useable condition, while others have either so yellowed with age or been eaten by termites (or maybe by literal bookworms?) that the only option is to recycle the paper they were printed on. The new library will serve the District of Tierras Altas (pop. 40,000 of which 8,000 are under 15) which is comprised of 5 small towns: Volcan, Cerro Punta, Cuesta de Piedra, Nueva California and Paso Ancho. There are no other libraries in the district, or even in the schools. Books are beyond reach for most of the population. A library/community center would make reading a possibility for everyone and fundamentally improve the educational prospects of the students.
After 3 years of fundraising and rebuilding, the Biblioteca San Benito opened to the public on June 30, 2025. As we are still dependent on volunteers, the library is open just three days a week. We hope to get enough recurring donations that will bring in enough of a regular income to hire staff and be open 6 days a week.