Mallorca's old books get 40,000-euro catalogue plan

Mallorca’s old convent books are among the collections covered by a Balearic catalogue plan capped at 40,000 euros. On 16 October 2026, the Balearic government authorised tourism, culture and sports minister Jaume Bauzá to sign an agreement with the Spanish Ministry of Culture. The work includes books held at Can Sales public library in Palma, Mallorca.

Can Sales holds manuscripts and early printed books, mostly from Mallorca’s convent collections. Its holdings also include historical newspapers and personal collections.

The agreement would fund the search for historic works, online cataloguing and the collection of details about them. It covers books in public and private libraries and other institutions across the Balearic Islands that count as part of the region’s book heritage because of their age or distinctive features. The aim is to support their legal protection, study and wider availability.

The budget is spread across 2026, 2027 and 2028. The Balearic government would pay 35%, about 14,000 euros, and the Spanish Ministry of Culture the remaining 65%, about 26,000 euros. Entries would go into Spain’s shared catalogue of historic books, with a copy of the data sent to the Balearic authorities.

Topics: Culture

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com