A librarian is that "person who by trade is in charge of the care of a library, orders and classifies books and facilitates the consultation and loan of the volumes requested by the public", according to the Oxford Dictionary in Spanish.

Today in Cuba these professionals are celebrated, and Cubaliteraria invites you to find out why.

When is Librarian's Day celebrated in Cuba?

In our country every June 7th the Librarian's Day is commemorated, in honor of Antonio Bachiller y Morales, who was born that day in 1812.

Bachiller y Morales was a prominent Cuban intellectual, who worked as a journalist, historian, lawyer, and bibliographer.

He is considered "the father of Cuban bibliography."

When was it first held?

It was in 1950 that the first massive celebration was held, sponsored by the Office of the Historian of Havana, and which had the support of the Cuban Society for Historical and International Studies, according to the Ecured portal.

A year later a plaque was placed on the site where Bachiller y Morales died on January 10, 1889; but it was not until 1881 that the Revolutionary Government officially instituted this commemoration.

What activities are proposed for the day in 2021?

On June 7, a virtual bibliographic exhibition will be inaugurated at the José Martí National Library of Cuba, with photos, posters, publications and other materials from the institution's heritage fund.

Likewise, also in a virtual way, the XIX International Scientific-Librarian Event, dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the BNCJM and the 35th of the Cuban Association of Librarians, took place from day 2.

From social networks, other Cuban cultural centers have also joined to highlight the event.