The Mazatlan Reading Library

An updated version of this page is available here.

Mazatlan Membership Library (La Biblioteca de Literatura de Mazatlan)

Mazatlan Membership Library is a not-for-profit circulating library specializing in books in English, but also offering a large selection of titles in Spanish. The library is financially supported by donations and membership fees. Its staff and management are volunteers.

The Library is located at Sixto Osuna 115E, El Centro, at V. Carranza, one block from Paseo Olas Altas. It is almost next door to the Museo Arqeologica and across the street from the Museo de Artes. You can get the current schedule of hours of operation by calling one of the telephone numbers listed below, or by e-mailing us.

Membership

The Library relies on memberships for most of its income. A full membership costs $300 pesos a year, and permits you to check out up to 5 books at at time for a period of 2 weeks. Limited memberships are $150 pesos per year, and you can check out one book at a time. Student memberships are $200 pesos per year. This is a bargain even for readers staying in Mazatlan only a week or two.

The Collection

The Library concentrates on good literature. The largest part of the collection is fiction, but it also includes history, biography, travel, the sciences and social sciences, art, drama, poetry and more. There are a number of books on learning Spanish. The reference section includes dictionaries in several languages and encyclopedias. The Library offers thousands of books not found elsewhere in Mazatlan. Check the link on this web site to explore the collection.

The card catalog of the library is now searchable.

Volunteers

Volunteers who love books staff the Library. Most of them work a three hour shift each week. All are Library members. (There is no free lunch here!) New volunteers always are welcome. No previous library experience is necessary, but knowledge about a particular genre, be it sci fi or science, is a real asset in helping us select new titles.

Donations

You may donate to the Library in the following ways:

The Library relies on donations of books. About one fourth of the collection came from the private library of Joe Ketchum, who started the Library in 2002, and his late wife, Terry Foster. The rest came from individuals and organizations. Local donations may be made directly to the Library. For others, we will try to arrange pick-up. We also welcome donations of current English language magazines and journals, and donated subscriptions. We often are looking for people willing to transport books and other materials from the US. If you are driving to Mazatlan, and have room for some books, please contact us! Financial contributions are always welcome and needed!

Contact us:

Telephone: 982-3036
Email: mazlibrary@gmail.com
Mail: Mazatlan Membership Library
Sixto Osuna 115E, Centro
CP 82000, Mazatlan, Sinaloa
Mexico
Hours of operation:
10am to 2pm from April 1 to October 31 Monday - Friday
9am to 5pm from November 1 to March 31 Monday - Friday and
10am to 2pm on Saturdays

Web site: www.maztravel.com/library

I would like to thank Rick at www.mazinfo.com for his kind help in creating this page and providing the photos. Muchas Gracias.

Go back to Books you should Read