Notas para a história da Biblioteca Pública de Ponta Delgada

Abstract

Between the different cultural facilities of a village, public libraries have played, since the 18th century, a relevant role of educational and civilizing nature. Open to serve a broad and diverse audience, these institutions, which have multiplied in Portugal throughout the 19th century, became important symbols of cultural and urban progress even when faced budgetary or logistics difficulties. This was the case of the Public Library of Ponta Delgada that having been founded in 1841, it was only inaugurated five years later. Responsible fought with numerous problems, however, managed to gradually overcome, allowing the maintenance of this institution until the present day. Since its history does not have deserved due attention from academics and scholars, with this article it is intended to give some notes about the Public Library of Ponta Delgada, considering its functioning as an institution and its cultural and social level performance.