This research explores the way in which the notion of culture crosses the discourses and practices of reading and public libraries policies in Colombia. Through a critical analysis, it addresses some of the articulations of meanings and practices, from the eighteenth century to the present, that have been crucial in directing and producing subjectivities in the name of culture through the most widespread cultural infrastructure: the public library. With this, a dialogue is presented with experiences of accompaniment and leadership of library processes in the department of Nariño. These dialogues evidence the different nuances of the implementation and practice of these discourses in the territory. Although several of the ideals proposed in politics are reproduced, appropriations, adaptations and proposals are created making a critical contribution to the way in which we think and approached the library in cultural policy in Colombia.