June 1999, the Friends of Cuban Libraries issued their first press release to make the international community aware of the "extent to which intellectual freedom was being repressed in Cuba." The first issue told about volunteers who were creating independent libraries in their homes with their goal being, "to create a civil society in their nation by offering public access to books reflecting all points of view." The publication shows how these independant librarians were being persecuted.

Though initial response by the international community was of scepticism and denial, other human rights organizations began to examine these conflicting claims and support began to grow for the independant librarians.

In November 1999 the library movements founder, Ramon Colas, was arrested. Amnesty International adopted him as a Prisoner of Conscience, "detained solely for peacefully attempting to excersise his right to freedom of expression, association and assembly.