Biblioteca Municipal de La Paz

The Biblioteca Municipal de La Paz is a public library located near Plaza del Estudiante in downtown La Paz, housed in a modern building designed by architect Mario del Carpio. It holds more than 128,000 books and materials for research and reading, equipped with an automated system to help visitors find what they need.

The library was founded in 1838 under President Andrés de Santa Cruz, beginning with about 2,000 books collected from religious institutions and orders. Over time it grew into a major repository for Bolivian scholarship and regional documents.

The library houses the personal collection of poet Yolanda Bedregal, featuring about 5,000 books that reveal how Bolivian writers and thinkers worked and lived. Walking through these shelves, visitors get a sense of the intellectual conversations that shaped the country's literary world.

The building is in a central location and easy to reach on foot, with clear signage inside to help you find your way around. Plan to spend time searching the catalog and locating materials, especially if you are looking for specific titles.

In 1998 the library received six volumes of historical documents about the Pacific War, which expanded its collection of regional military history. These rare materials show how the institution preserves important events that shaped the region.