About us
Vision
To enrich the lives of people in our community by creating a place that inspires literacy, art, education, and social engagement.
Mission
The library offers a welcoming, supportive environment where:
- books spark the imagination and a lifelong love of reading
- people discover, create, and share information and ideas
- families and friends gather for cultural and community activities
The Foundation for Art and Culture of Tierras Altas was established by civic-minded booklovers working to reopen the library and community center for the western highlands of Panama. The area once had a popular library founded in 1961 by Oblate Benedictine monk Brother Elred Wetli. Long-time residents remember both the library and Brother Elred fondly.
Many residents credit English classes and other teaching at the library with changing their lives. Families gathered there. Besides books, the library lent toys on weekends.
The library did not survive Brother Elred’s passing. It closed in 2013 and the books were left inside. Some are still usable; others yellowed or eaten by insects and can only be recycled. Many original books came from Canal Zone libraries and the collection needs updating.
The new library serves the District of Tierras Altas (population about 40,000, of whom 8,000 are under 15): Volcán, 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 out of reach for most people. A library makes reading possible and improves students’ prospects.
After three years of fundraising and rebuilding, Biblioteca San Benito opened on 30 June 2025. Because we still depend on volunteers, hours are limited. Recurring donations would let us hire staff and open six days a week.