The Ramón Guiteras Memorial Library's History & Mission

History

1854Belen Jesuit Preparatory School began a teaching tradition synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.
1925El Colegio de Belen, known as "The Palace of Education" was built in Marianao in Havana, Cuba.
1941Miss Gertrude E. Guiteras provides for the establishment of a public library in the city ofMatanzas, Cuba, as amemorial to her father Ramón Guiteras. 
1955The library was built in Matanzas by Cuban architect Enrique Marcet "for the free use of all the people of their beloved city of Matanzas."
1961The political regime in Cuba confiscates the property. Belen Jesuit Preparatory School opens its doors in the City of Miami.
1962 The library in Matanzas is confiscated by the communist regime of Fidel Castro. A portion of the books were transported to Russia in exchange for arms and other equipment. The building is converted into a communist social club.
1971Upon initiative of alumnus Jack R. Guiteras (Belen '48), it is deemed that Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, in the opinion of the Superior Court of Rhode Island, "performs the function of preserving and maintaining their [the Cuban people's] pride and knowledge of the culture of their ancestors.
1981The present building of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School opens its doors.

Mission

  • To support the curriculum of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.
  • To teach students of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School about the research process.
  • To help students become independent seekers of information.
  • To meet the information needs of the Belen community.
  • To promote reading among the Belen community.
  • To offer our patrons the latest and best information available.
  • To provide the Miami community with access to our collection.
  • To offer cultural and literary events for the Belen community as well as the community at large.

In addition, through our special Cuban Collection we aim to preserve the Cuban culture and to provide the Cuban and Cuban-American community with access to books written about Cuba or written by Cubans and Cubans in exile.

© Copyright 2009 Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184 305.223.8600 Fax: 305.227.2565