Bookstores soon to open in social housing in working-class neighborhoods, announces Rachida Dati

An experiment aimed at promoting reading. Bookstores and libraries will be opened in social housing in working-class neighborhoods, announced the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, in an interview with Echoes, Thursday, 11th of April. This initiative aims primarily “social housing in ‘the political districts of the city'” but also rural areas, said the minister.

“This new system aims to bring books closer to the public, in particular those far from reading (…) Libraries and bookstores are often in the centers of cities”, underlines Rachida Dati. A first test will take place in Rillieux-la-Pape (Rhône), near Lyon, with MP Alexandre Vincendet. This town of 32,000 inhabitants has no bookstore, recalls The echoes.

These new structures, set up in partnership with social landlords and communities, can be managed by associations or cooperative and participatory companies (SCOP). A budget of 1.2 million euros will be devoted to this specific operation. Rachida Dati also assures that she has asked the regional directorates of cultural affairs (DRAC) to make books available for leisure centers, popular education associations and all institutions that request them. A way of constituting “a heritage common to all young people”.