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This initiative was created to promote reading and support the publishing sector.
The Community of Madrid presented this Friday its new strategic plan to promote reading and support the book sector. Under the name 'Read Madrid 2025-2028', the initiative includes a series of measures aimed at modernizing bookstores and publishers, promote reading among citizens and protect copyright.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sport, Mariano by Paco Serrano, during a meeting with the press in the Joaquín Leguina Regional LibraryDe Paco emphasized that this ambitious plan seeks to consolidate Madrid's cultural leadership by promoting innovation and the spread of reading.
"Reading has been and continues to be the primary vehicle for learning and transmitting knowledge. We are proud that Madrid is a reading community, and we are committed to making this habit increasingly present in everyday life.", the counselor stated.
Modernization of the sector and direct aid
Among the main measures, the Lee Madrid plan contemplates aid worth 200,000 euros for the modernization of bookstores, including actions such as technological renovation, improved facilities, and staff training.
In addition, the participation of booksellers in local fairs will be encouraged and their role in the acquisition of books for public libraries will be strengthened through a framework agreement worth 10.5 million euros until 2027, from which 122 bookstores will benefit.
In the publishing field, the regional government will launch a line of grants of 400,000 euros intended to support the publishing of quality content, especially that which falls outside the usual commercial circuits. It will also facilitate the presence of Madrid-based publishers at national and international fairs.
A reading community at the forefront of Spain
During the presentation, De Paco shared data that places the Community of Madrid at the top of the country in reading habits. According to the figures, 76.8% of Madrid residents say they read regularly, 6.5 points above the national average. The percentage is even higher among the youngest: 84% of children between 10 and 13 years old reads for leisure, a percentage that amounts to 93.6% in the case of girls.
The plan also includes specific campaigns to promote reading among schoolchildren, such as 'Little ones in the library', aimed at 3rd year Preschool students, and 'Explore new worlds', for 4th grade of Primary. In addition to these, there are the programs #LeeMadrid Youth, #LeeMadrid SinLímites and #LeeMadrid +60, designed for different age groups.
Defense of copyright and commitment to digitalization
One of the pillars of the plan is the protection of copyright. In collaboration with the Spanish Center for Reprographic Rights (CEDRO), the educational campaign will be launched 'It's textbook', which seeks to raise awareness among secondary and high school students and teachers about the importance of correctly citing sources in school work.
Likewise, the Community will bet on the digitization of bibliographic heritage, with measures to preserve documentary collections of Madrid creators, and the creation of a map of bibliographic heritage of the region. The use of the digital lending service will also be promoted. eBiblio Madrid, which already offers more than 400,000 licenses and 26,500 titles.
As for preferred reading formats, the data shows that 37% of Madrid residents opt for printed books, while a 29.1% combines paper and digital reading.
“Books and reading are the repositories of our culture and the most universal means of preserving and transmitting the legacy of knowledge,” concluded Mariano de Paco.