Oscar Arroyo has recently assumed the prestigious position of the director at the National Library of Spain. His appointment was officially confirmed by the Council of Ministers and was subsequently published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on February 14.
The decision to appoint a new head for the National Library is in line with the laws governing this esteemed institution. This change in leadership was necessitated after the former director, Ana Santos, made known her decision to retire. Santos had been leading the institution since March 2013 and her departure signalled the end of an era.
In preparation for this change, the Ministry of Culture on May 31, 2023, issued an order outlining the procedure for selecting a new director. This selection process was designed to be open and inclusive, ensuring that “there was ample publicity and attendance, and the Royal Board of Trustees, with expert advice from professionals in the library and documentary field, had the opportunity to partake in the process.“
Furthermore, the selection process was guided by the principles of merit, capacity, and suitability. Following a thorough evaluation of all the applications received, on February 6, 2024, the Royal Board of Trustees of the National Library of Spain endorsed the appointment of Óscar Arroyo Ortega as the new director. This decision was proposed by the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun, during a plenary session of the institution. The Council of Ministers gave their approval to this appointment on February 13.
