Peru

The Peruvian Section of IBBY was established in 1980 as a Documentation and Information Centre in the field of children’s literature, as part of the campaign initiated by the Organization of American States and by Banco del Libro of Venezuela as coordinator. At the beginning, many countries in South America and Mexico and Spain became involved in the Project PILI: Project International of Literature Infantile, including Uruguay, Brazil, México, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. 

After four years of working with voluntary teachers and librarians in Peru, work was expanded to edit collections of national stories as well as children’s books, including Peruvian legends and stories submitted from teachers in communities throughout Peru. Private funding was obtained.

The Centre applied to IBBY for membership as a National Section. The Section has been reorganized as a services institution, thus further helping children by promoting reading and children’s libraries.

CEDILI – IBBY Peru has reached the main objective of providing documentation for rural towns, identifying advisors for the Ministry of Education, as well as for institutions and private publishing. We have published 34 books for children and 12 manuals for adults. IBBY Peru has also introduced hand-made educational materials for various reading events. We have also trained teachers, mothers, librarians, to organize children’s libraries in municipalities, school, farmer associations in the three regions of Peru.

In 2005 we celebrated the 25th anniversary of IBBY Peru. During the year we organized workshops, lecture and writing and illustration contests. The Section is based in the cloister of Virgin of Carmel. We now have all the technology needed for information distribution and enough books to distribute. 10% of the books are sold to help cover our administrative budget.