THE English Library has been part of Tenerife’s cultural heritage for over one hundred and twenty years. Set within beautiful subtropical gardens in a suburb of Puerto de la Cruz in the north of the island, the library is home to over 20,000 English language books covering everything from popular fiction to biography, cookery, the Classics, DIY, gardening, history, languages, music, and many many more subjects. The media room contains over 5000 DVDs. The library also holds an important collection of antiquarian books, mostly dating from the nineteenth century, together with two from the early eighteenth century. There is also a Library Archive containing many important documents dating from the founding of the library right up until the present day.

Our History

FROM the closing years of the nineteenth century, North Tenerife became increasingly popular as a destination for the wealthier members of British society to spend the winter months. The island was noted for it’s mild climate and pure air and, as such, was routinely recommended by doctors as a place where those recovering from illnesses – particularly tuberculosis – could convalesce. The founder of the

library, Mrs. Mary Boreham arrived on Tenerife with her terminally ill husband Walter for this very reason. The Borehams posessed a large and eclectic collection of books which they started lending to other British expats living in the Orotava area. As the collection grew it was moved briefly to a room inside the parsonage of All Saints Church (just down the road in Taoro Park), but by 1900 plans had been drawnup to provide the English community with a specially constructed building in which to house the ever-growing collection. The “Orotava Library”, as it was then called, opened in 1903, and has remained open ever since: even during two world wars! Mrs. Boreham died in 1917, and her entire private collection of books was bequeathed to the library: around 4000 items. The library minute books tell us that it cost 108 pesetas to move the books to the library by horse and cart, plus another 1169 pesetas to build enough new shelving to accommodate the collection. Sadly, many of these precious old books are now lost, either to age and decay or, in some cases, to theft. Over the years the library’s membership has waxed and waned, but we continue to be a strong, iconic and proud part of the local community for expats and locals alike.

 

Our Collections

IN addition to our wide-ranging book and DVD collections the English Library also has an extensive archive of documents dating back to the founding of the library in 1900. This includes most of the original Escrituras (legal papers) appertaining to the purchase of the land and the construction of the library building itself. There is also a collection of letters from various members of the original Committee, plus a complete set of minute books documenting the history and development of the library from it’s inception right up until the present day. The first minute book entries from 1900 are particularly fascinating as they contain detailed records of the drawing up of the library constitution, together with valuable information on both the construction and the cost of erecting the building. The Library Archive has been fully digitised, and is available for consultation by professional archivists and researchers by prior arrangement.

THE surviving books originally owned or purchased by Mary Boreham and her husband now form the greater part of the library’s Special Collection, numbering over 1300 volumes. Many of the older books date from the last decades of the nineteenth century, with a few dating back even earlier. The collection also includes a rare copy of the first guide book ever written about the Orotava Valley: Osbert Ward’s The Vale of Orotava. A Guide Book, published in 1903. It contains some wonderful con-temporary advertisement including one for the English Grand Hotel which boasts that “The Sanitary arrangements were carried out by certified English plumbers under the supervision of a trained qualified English physician. Hot and cold Baths at all hours. Doctor attached to the Hotel. Also Resident English nurse.” The Special Collection has been added to over the years with first editions of George Bernard Shaw, Winston Churchill, plus many more.

THE library also contains a growing collection of publications regarding many aspects of the Canary Islands, from geology, natural history and cuisine, to the history and culture of the original Guanche inhabitants, and the later conquest and settlement by the Spanish during the fifteenth century. This collection also contains guidebooks and maps, together with a number of fictional works and true stories written by authors who have either visited or resided on Tenerife.

Library Groups

THE English Library has a number of groups that meet on a regular basis throughout the year. These include a Film Club, a Literary Group, an Art Group, a Tenerife History Group, and a Classical Music Appreciation Group. All of these groups were severely hit by the recent Covid Pandemic and lockdown, but most of them are back up and running. The library also runs two Spanish classes, but these are only open to members. Most of the groups charge no more than €2 per session, and the Film Club is free (members only), but there is a small charge for interval refreshments. We also have a computer expert available on site on Wednesday mornings to help with any problems members might be experiencing with their laptops, tablets or mobile phones.

Functions & Events

THE Library organises a series of very popular events throughout the year, some of them in conjunction with other British organisations. A Pig Roast is held in the library gardens in the spring, whilst our annual Summer Quiz is another extremely popular event. Monthly talks are given from October to March, with past topics including Canarian wines, historical figures and even Ancient Egypt. A buffet is included in the price of the ticket. Sunday lunches and other meals at local restaurants are also arranged throughout the year, some of which take the form of Murder Mystery Lunches presented by members of the library. The library also hosts arts and crafts exhibitions, and is used as a venue for some of the events organised by the International Agatha Christie Festival held biennially in Puerto de la Cruz. Local schools and colleges also arrange visits to the library in order to learn about our history and our cultural importance within the community. Our paid events are open to non-members. Bookings can be made via our contact details, or by visiting the Treasurer’s Desk during opening hours. The library also arranges events to raise money for local charities. In 2021 we raised over €2000 which went to victims of the volcanic eruption on neighboring La Palma, and in 2023 over €1000 was raised in conjunction with All Saints Church for the Los Realejos volunteer firefighters who were on the frontline during the recent forest fires that devestated areas of North Tenerife.