The Comic Library of the Lope de Vega Library in Tres Cantos stands out in the 3rd call for Library Laboratories of the Ministry of Culture with its project “Reading comics in the IES”, a proposal to integrate comics in classrooms as a teaching tool, which puts into the focus on this Tricantino space as a reference for culture and learning.
On November 6, 7 and 8, the Comic library of the Lope de Vega Municipal Library of Three Songs was one of the six projects selected for the 3rd call for Library Laboratoriesan event organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in La Coruña. Under the title “Thinking about Comic Libraries: projects for their creation and development”, these conferences focused on the importance of comics as a cultural resource in libraries.
The selected proposal from Tres Cantos, “Reading comics at the IES”, presented by Marta Villanueva Castoknown as the library’s “comic library,” is an innovative project that seeks to promote the use of comics in the local secondary classrooms. For years, Villanueva and his team have worked together with the municipality’s educational centers so that comics are not only a means of entertainment, but also a teaching tool capable of enriching learning in different subjects. This national recognition represents another step in the consolidation of Tres Cantos as a reference in the promotion of comics.
What does the “Reading comics at IES” project offer?
The idea of “Reading comics at IES” goes beyond encouraging students to read; your goal is incorporate comics as an interdisciplinary educational resource in the institutes. This involves working collaboratively to build a thematic catalog that makes it easier for teachers to identify comics related to different subjects. Through this initiative, it is intended that students can approach topics of history, science, literature or ethics through graphic narrative, taking advantage of the didactic and attractive potential of comics.
The participatory approach is key to the project methodology. The citizen laboratoriesin which interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged, seek to bring together ideas and contributions from different profiles to build effective tools, adapted to the needs of both students and teachers. This initiative not only brings comics closer to the academic field, but also enriches the students’ experience by promote reading in a dynamic and visual way.
Tres Cantos, a reference in the world of comics
The Tres Cantos Comic Library, inaugurated in April 2021 by Paco Roca, National Comic Awardhas become a cultural reference in the Community of Madrid and throughout the country. Since its opening, the space has not stopped growing in collections and activities, offering a selection of more than 3,200 comicscarefully classified by styles and origins, so that readers can enjoy a wide variety of genres, trends and eras in the world of comics.
The project “Reading comics at the IES” is an extension of this work and demonstrates how the Comic Library goes beyond being a simple reading room. How do you define it? Elisa Lidia MiguelCouncilor for Culture of Tres Cantos, “the Comicteca is much more than a physical spaceis a strategic cultural project that hosts activities of all kinds, from reading clubs to exhibitions and meetings with renowned authors.” Among the artists who have participated are notable figures such as David Rubín, Santiago Valenzuela, Cristina Durán, Antonio Altarriba and Juan Díaz Canalesnames that have helped consolidate the Comic Library as an essential space for comic lovers.
A Comic Library that encourages reading and creativity
The recognition of the Comicteca at the Library Laboratories conference not only confirms the value of its work, but also opens new opportunities for collaboration at the national level. Villanueva’s proposal could serve as a model for other municipalities interested in integrating comics into their reading programs and library activities.
In this context, Tres Cantos stands as an example of how comics can be a powerful and accessible educational tool. The Comicteca has shown that comics are not just entertainment, but a form of visual learning that captures young people’s attention and helps them understand complex concepts in a closer way.
Comics as a cultural and educational bridge
By participating in this call, the Tres Cantos Comic Library reaffirms its role in promoting reading and creativity, not only in the municipality, but also as reference for other library projects at the national level. Initiatives like this highlight the ability of comics to unite culture, education and entertainment, consolidating their value in the academic and cultural world.
The inclusion of comics in classrooms and in the reading plans of institutes not only promotes creative education, but also awakens interest in reading in young people, presenting it as an attractive activity close to their reality. This project is a big step in the direction of creating a more inclusive and diverse learning spacein which the comic plays a leading role.
