Clandestine Libraries: The Rebel Reading Circles in Cali

What it is and context

In Cali, reading doesn't only happen in silence between bookshelves. For a few years now, a quiet but noisy movement has grown: rebel reading circles, clandestine libraries, and bookcrossing have taken over parks, hidden cafés, and even the stairs of the Biblioteca Departamental. This is not a passing fad; it is a response to the crisis of public libraries and a form of cultural resistance that is redefining how Caleños access books.

While the Red de Bibliotecas Públicas de Cali (which started as community libraries in 2003 and today has 62 branches) faces budget cuts and difficulties, readers have taken matters into their own hands. In May 2026, this phenomenon is more alive than ever: there are groups that meet every Sunday at Parque del Perro, book swaps with a reputation system, and literary gatherings in cafés that feel like hideouts. Underground literature in Cali is not an abstract concept; it is a daily practice.

The little-known fact: the first documented bookcrossing in the city occurred in 2017, when a group of students from Universidad del Valle left about twenty copies of Cien años de soledad at MIO stations. Today, that gesture has multiplied into a network of over 200 active exchange points.

Event details: the rebel reading circles

There is not a single event, but a constellation of gatherings that occur weekly or monthly. Here we tell you about the most active ones in Cali during May 2026:

Bookcrossing in university parks

On Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m., at Parque del Perro (near Universidad Santiago de Cali), a group of readers leave and take books without a trace. No registration, no fines. Only one rule: if you take a book, leave another. Titles range from poetry by Piedad Bonnett to Russian science fiction novels. Some copies have been circulating for years and carry notes written by previous readers. It is common to find out-of-print editions by Caleño authors like Andrés Caicedo or Gustavo Álvarez Gardeazábal.

Literary gatherings in hidden cafés

On Saturday mornings, Café La Tertulia (in the San Antonio neighborhood, an old house with no visible sign) becomes a clandestine reading room. There are no microphones or reserved tables here. The dynamic is simple: someone proposes a book, a fragment is read aloud, and it is discussed. Topics range from Latin American literature to essays on the Colombian armed conflict. Entry is free, but it is recommended to buy at least a coffee (from $4,000 COP) to support the place.

Used book swap with a reputation system

At the Biblioteca Departamental Jorge Garcés Borrero (Calle 5 # 24A-91, first floor, near the Domo), an organized swap takes place on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is not a simple exchange: each reader has a physical card where the books they have given and received are recorded. If you return books in good condition and on time, you earn reputation points. With 10 points, you can access copies signed by local authors. It is a system reminiscent of the community libraries of the 2000s, but with a digital touch: there is a WhatsApp group where new arrivals are announced.

The reader-to-reader lending network

This is the heart of the movement. Through a collaborative map on Google Maps (with no official name, known only as "Mapa Lector"), participants mark their homes or workplaces as lending points. There are no fixed hours: it is arranged by direct message. In neighborhoods like Granada, San Fernando, and El Peñón, there are over 30 active points. The golden rule: the book must be returned in the same condition it was received, and if you like it a lot, you can copy it by hand or scan it (yes, there are purists who prefer the handwritten copy).

Prices and how to get tickets

The best part is that most of these activities are free. There is no ticket office or presale. To join, you just need to bring a book (in good condition) and a willingness to chat. Some practical details:

• Bookcrossing at Parque del Perro: Free. Bring a book to exchange. No prior registration.
• Gatherings at Café La Tertulia: Free entry. It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes early (9:45 a.m.) because capacity is limited to 25 people. There is no cost, but you are expected to consume something (coffee from $4,000 COP).
• Swap at the Biblioteca Departamental: Free. You need to register on the first floor (near the Domo) with your ID. The reputation card is issued the same day. Hours: Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Reader-to-reader lending network: Free. To access the map, search Instagram for the hashtag #MapaLectorCali or ask in the bookcrossing groups. There is no cost, but there is a commitment to return.

Reference prices for May 2026: If you want to support the cafés or spaces that host these activities, prices range from $4,000 COP for a black coffee to $12,000 COP for a latte and a pan de bono. At the Biblioteca Departamental, entry is free, but parking costs $3,000 COP per hour.

How to get there

To Parque del Perro (Wednesday bookcrossing)

Address: Carrera 34 with Calle 5, San Fernando neighborhood. On the MIO, the closest station is San Fernando (Troncal Oriental line). From there, walk two blocks south. By bicycle, there is a bike rack on the corner of Carrera 34. By car, the park has a parking meter (card payment, $2,000 COP per hour).

To Café La Tertulia (Saturday gatherings)

Address: Calle 5 # 4-12, San Antonio neighborhood. It has no visible sign; look for a yellow facade with a green wooden door. On the MIO, the San Antonio station (Troncal Oriental line) is a 5-minute walk away. By car, the closest parking lot is on Carrera 4 with Calle 6 ($5,000 COP per hour).

To the Biblioteca Departamental (Sunday swap)

Address: Calle 5 # 24A-91, first floor, near the Domo. On the MIO, the Biblioteca Departamental station (Troncal Oriental line) is right in front. By car, there is public parking on Calle 5 with Carrera 24 ($3,000 COP per hour).

Tips for attendees

• Arrive early: The gatherings and the swap have limited capacity. For the bookcrossing at Parque del Perro, arrive at 3:45 p.m. to secure a good spot.
• Don't bring very damaged books: At the swap, books with torn pages or water stains are not accepted. The lending network also rejects copies in poor condition.
• Be prepared to talk: It's not just about leaving and taking books. People sit on the grass, discuss readings, and recommend titles. If you are shy, bring a book you are passionate about; it will be a natural icebreaker.
• Respect the reputation system: At the Biblioteca Departamental swap, returning late or in poor condition deducts points. With 3 negative points, you are out of the system for a month.
• Bring cash: Although the cafés accept cards, some lending points do not have a card terminal. Reference prices are low, but have bills of $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 COP.
• Don't use your cell phone during the gatherings: It is an unwritten rule. The goal is to disconnect and listen. If you need to take notes, bring a small notebook.
• Support independent booksellers: At Parque del Perro, used book sellers sometimes arrive with hard-to-find editions. Their prices start from $5,000 COP. Buying from them helps keep the network alive.

Do you dare to try this subversive way of reading in the city? The next time you see a book abandoned on an MIO bench or on a café table, don't ignore it: it could be the entry point to a community that is rewriting the rules of reading in Cali. And if you feel like it, leave this article at some bookcrossing point. That way, another reader can find it.

# 2A-25, San Luis neighborhood): Reading and music workshops from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Limited to 40 people per session. - **Other branches of the Red de Bibliotecas** (such as Biblioteca Centenario and Biblioteca del Deporte): Literature, art, and music activities at the same time (3:00–4:00 PM). Check the full agenda on the Red de Bibliotecas de Cali Facebook page. **Note:** Biblioteca San Luis I has 151 reading seats and 40 internet points; its collection includes 6,613 books. Confirm each activity's availability by calling ahead.

Tickets, Pricing, and Where to Buy

Most CaliLee 2026 activities are free to attend. For special events in the main tent and limited-capacity workshops, prior registration is required through the official Festival Internacional del Libro de Cali platform. Information and ticket points are located at Bulevar del Río and Paseo Bolívar. Check the schedule at www.calileecali.com to reserve your spot. The Public Library Network will distribute free copies at public libraries and cultural centers, as announced by festival director Paola Guevara.

Official Schedule and Stage Timetables

The festival runs from October 23 to November 2, 2026. Activities are concentrated at Bulevar del Río and Paseo Bolívar, with the main tent as the primary venue. The program includes talks with Mario Mendoza, Daniel Samper, Sergio Marchi, Marleyda Soto, Julián Román, Irene Vasco, and Laura Acero, among others. There will be workshops, film screenings, and cultural activities for all audiences. The Public Library Network participates with the initiative ‘Libraries Weaving Solidarity: A Network That Accompanies You.’ Check detailed stage schedules in the official program.

Getting There and Local Safety Tips

Bulevar del Río and Paseo Bolívar are accessible by public transit: nearby MIO stations include Plaza Cayzedo and Bulevar del Río. Arrive early and use official taxi or ride-hailing routes. Keep your belongings secure in crowds. For the clandestine reading circles, contact local literary collectives via social media; verify the location and attend in groups. Respect public spaces and follow organizer instructions.