The new space, which occupies two stalls in the Municipal Market, aims to decentralise reading and invigorate local commerce. It is part of the Municipal Reading Plan of Ripollet.
Ripollet has taken another step in its commitment to reading with the inauguration of 'Els Llibres del Mercat', a reading and book exchange space located in the Municipal Market. The initiative, which occupies two stalls in the market, aims to bring books closer to the public beyond the Municipal Library and, in turn, invigorate local commerce.
A participatory project that starts with strength
The new space is part of the Municipal Reading Plan, a plan that the Ripollet City Council is developing in a participatory manner and which will be unveiled at the end of the year. As explained by the Councillor for Culture, Roger Bayó, during the inauguration event, the plan has gathered nearly 400 contributions from the public through surveys and open sessions.
One of the main demands identified was the need to decentralise reading and bring it to other points in the municipality. 'Els Llibres del Mercat' is the first concrete action that responds to that request. “We want reading to be present where life happens: in the streets and squares, in educational centres, in facilities, in shops, in homes, and at the Municipal Market,” Bayó stated during his speech.
A meeting point between the market and culture
The space will operate autonomously, following the model of free book stalls. The Municipal Library will be responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the collection, although collaboration with local schools through community service is not ruled out. For now, it will be the residents themselves who, with their contributions and daily use, will bring the place to life.
The councillor responsible for the Municipal Market, Eva Herrera, highlighted the connection between two essential spaces for the life of the municipality: the market and the library. “More than a new stall, today we are giving birth to a very beautiful and meaningful idea, connecting two of the spaces that pulse most in our daily lives,” she noted. Herrera explained that the space is born as a free reading and exchange corner, where anyone can stop to browse a book, read it in the market, or take it home. Books that people wish to share can also be left there.
In fact, the stallholders have already engaged in the initiative, writing decorative messages that adorn the new reading point. The City Council is working to organise periodic activities in the space, with the collaboration of the merchants.
A boost to reading and local commerce
The 'Els Llibres del Mercat' project not only seeks to promote reading but also to serve as a commercial dynamisation element for the Municipal Market. By offering a pleasant stay space, it is expected that residents will spend more time in the market, which could positively impact sales at the stalls.
The initiative has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Municipal Library, the Economic Promotion team, the Association of Vendors and Merchants of the Market, and the support of the Barcelona Provincial Council. For the residents of Ripollet, this new reading corner adds to other points in the city where culture and everyday life come together.
Residents can now visit the Municipal Market, located on carrer de la Indústria, to discover the space and start exchanging books. The hours are the same as those of the market, from Monday to Saturday mornings and Thursday and Friday afternoons as well. An opportunity to combine the purchase of local products with the pleasure of reading.
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