The Avellaneda Library of El Colegio de Belen in Havana, Cuba

1854 Belen Jesuit Preparatory School began a teaching tradition synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.
1925 El Colegio de Belen, known as "The Palace of Education" was built in Marianao in Havana, Cuba.
1941 Miss Gertrude E. Guiteras provides for the establishment of a public library in the city of Matanzas, Cuba, as a memorial to her father Ramon Guiteras.
1955 The library was built in Matanzas by Cuban architect Enrique Marcet "for the free use of all the people of their beloved city of Matanzas."
1961 The 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. 1971 Upon 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."
1981 The present building of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School opens its doors.

Board of Governors

The Library Board of Governors meets annually with the Head Librarian to evaluate the accomplishments of the past year and plan for future developments. The following members make up the Library Board of Governors:

Jack R. Guiteras, Chairman; Antonio Abella, Secretary; Rodney Baillargeon; Father Marcelino Garcia, S.J.; Father Eduardo Alvarez, S.J.