A third useful institution is the “National Library” with 10,242 catalogued books and about 5,000 more ready to be registered and incorporated.
The first steps towards the organization of educational institutions were taken in 1824, under the administration of Don Juan Mora Fernandez. Then public instruction was declared an obligatory duty of the State. The institution, which afterward became the University of Santo Tomas, was founded in 1844, at the instigation of Dr. Castilo. The efforts of Costa Rica to advance education have been great and sustained, and it is to be remarked that those in office have constantly shown laudable interest in the matter. In 1869 the Normal School was opened and a system adopted in harmony with modern standards.
As related to the subject of public education, the following list enumerates the names of the principal daily and weekly papers, periodicals and annual publications:
The principal newspapers are:
Dailies:
La Gaceta oficial,
Diario de Costa Rica,
La República,
El Heraldo,
El Fígaro,
La Prensa libre,
El Diarito,
El Imparcial,
El Pabellon Liberal,
La Union Católica.
Weekly publications are:
La Abeja médica,
Boletin de las Escuelas Primarias,
La Gaceta médica,
El Latiguillo,