The mayor of Toledo, Carlos Velázquez, has paid tribute to Antonio Casado Poyales by dedicating the Buenavista Municipal Library in his name. This recognition, approved in January during the San Ildefonso Honours and Distinctions event, was marked by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.
The ceremony, held in celebration of Library Day, brought together family and friends of the honouree, representatives from various cultural and academic associations in the city, as well as members of the municipal corporation. It served as a reminder of the professional and personal journey of a man deeply connected to Toledo's cultural life.
Velázquez described the recognition as “an act of justice” for Casado Poyales, who was not only an academic and librarian but also a cultured and intelligent individual, “above all, a good man and a passionate advocate for his city.” The mayor emphasised that Casado Poyales's involvement extended beyond cultural and academic realms, as he actively participated in numerous organisations and initiatives that he believed would benefit Toledo and its residents.
He recalled Casado Poyales's connection with the Madrid-Toledo AVE Users Association, where he played a role in advocating for improvements to the city and its transport services, demonstrating his broad commitment to Toledo. “He engaged in everything he believed was good for the city and its people,” Velázquez noted, also highlighting Casado Poyales's work as the head of the University Library at the Fábrica de Armas campus, whose ongoing transformation is part of his legacy.
Thanks to this tribute, the mayor stated that visitors to the library, especially younger generations, would learn about Antonio Casado Poyales and his contributions to the city. “Antonio Casado will always be with us, always with the city,” he affirmed.
Additionally, the family has donated a personal collection of approximately 500 books from his mother's home. A selection of these works will soon be displayed in a dedicated area of the library, next to the commemorative plaque, to preserve and share a part of his personal legacy.
Javier Casado Poyales, the honouree's brother, expressed gratitude on behalf of the family for the recognition bestowed by the city, especially from their mother and widow, Noemí. He reflected on his brother's deep connections with various institutions and associations in Toledo and highlighted the friendships he cultivated over the years, as well as his passion for reading, which is now reflected in the diverse bibliographic collection that will be available in the library named after him.
Regarding the donated books, Javier explained that the selection covers a wide range of themes, from works related to Toledo to national and international novels, as well as science fiction literature, classic theatre, and publications from the Golden Age of Spanish literature. Among his brother's favourite authors were Arturo Pérez-Reverte and Isaac Asimov, alongside the Star Trek collection and Ian Fleming's novels.
“It is heartwarming to know that you are here paying this tribute, and that this library will carry his name,” he stated, convinced that this initiative will allow those who did not personally know his brother to connect with his figure and discover a part of his interests and passions. Javier Casado concluded by expressing satisfaction with the fate of the donated books, believing they will be in a place where Antonio would have liked to find them: a library, accessible to the public and to those who share his love for reading.
