TIRANA, Jan. 23 – Tirana’s municipality turned an old book-storage into a modern, public library last week, as part of a series of investments focusing on education and literary knowledge.
Citizens can now use the public space as a place to read, as well as a communal center that can host cultural and social activities.
Tirana’s Mayor Erion Veliaj said the quality work done on the library surpassed everyone’s expectations and that he aims to enrich every Tirana neighborhood with similar projects.
“We kick-started 2018 with a modern library that has set an example of what a quality communal public space means,” Veliaj said during the Musine Kokalari library.
He added that although it is important for the center of Tirana to have iconic public spaces that can host national events, it is just as important for Tirana’s neighborhoods to display a similar level of innovation and architectural quality.
According to Veliaj, investing in culture and education is the best way to bring the youth outside of Tirana’s crowded coffee-shops and bars and closer to books and knowledge.
“We have begun our action of offense against gambling and betting centers, we are a step ahead, but we still haven’t won the battle. For this reason we must engage in a year full of similar investments,” Veliaj added.
Tirana’s municipality called on citizens and public donors to contribute to the library’s functionality by donating books and relevant material whenever possible. Representatives said the library – and all libraries to be built in the future – is not the municipality’s monopoly, and that the entire community’s care and attention is necessary for its preservation and beneficial use.
