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Practical and Mystical
Posted on 11 Mar 2008
Theme:
The ideal library for a community in crisisThe right library can be a uniquely essential part of getting through crisis times. The mission of a library is the gathering and sharing of knowledge, wisdom, and culture in the broadest sense. In the best libraries people can find what they need to help themselves and one another.
People in crisis, wherever they are, need assistance on two sides, the practical and the mystical (to borrow a phrase from speaker Suzanne Fowler). The ideal library would address both sides in its collection, venue, and services.
The practical side of a library collection is often comparatively simple - finding specific books for specific concrete needs is fairly straightforward, once those needs unique to the community are identified. Materials on financial aid, healthcare, farming techniques, legal matters, and so on, are examples of the practical.
The mystical side of a library collection sometimes needs a little more thought. What resources will best offer strength, hope, and inspiration? What will best refresh, restore, and entertain? A mix of spiritual works, classics, and lighter reads can be an excellent help to people in need, taking into account the makeup of the community.
Most community libraries will want to collect materials for both children and adults, at all reading levels. A good catalog will help people locate the resources they most want at the time, and best of all, a trained librarian can point people not only to the resources of their own library, but also to resources elsewhere that can help.
The ideal library for people in crisis will offer an oasis in the midst of turmoil, with comfortable areas for quiet reading and study as well as areas where people can consult with a librarian. Other spaces where people can work in groups or meet together are not just practical, they can help build community cohesion. In times of crisis, the best library will be both a gathering place and a source of strength, a practical resource and a mystical refuge from the troubles beyond its doors.
Books, reading and peace
I would like to congratulate you for thinking about Darfur children and the need to have them in school and specially reading in spite of the horrible situation they are in. I would like to encourage you not to send any book which will remind these children any form of violence. They have seen, heard a lot about violence and abusive behavior. It is important that libraries be it for Darfur children or any other children around the world promote reading for peace, solidarity and social justice. African children due to the lack of resources are actually filled with films and reading which are either to militaristic, too pornographic and/or too fundamentalist (be it Mulsim or christianity). Please be sure you scrutinize the books as your effort will make a difference in these children's lives.
We read to forget our predicament, we read to travel to more hopeful places we read to forsee a more peaceful futrure.
Thanks so much for your work.
Pr. Hassana Alidou