Advocacy is Essential: Including the Fight to Defend Libraries Everywhere!
By Stephen Wilson, one of our reporters abroad
“There was one place I forgot the cold, indeed forgot Siberia. That was in the library. There in that muddy village, was a great institution. Not physically to be sure, but in every other way imaginable. It was a small log cabin, immaculately attended to with loving care; it was well lighted with oil lamps, and it was warm. But best of all, it contained a small but amazing collection from the world's best literature, truly amazing considering the time, the place, and its size. From floor to ceiling it was lined with books - books, books, books. It was there that I was to become acquainted with the works of Dumas, Pasternak's translations of Shakespeare, the novels of Mark Twain, Jack London. and of course, the Russian. It was in that log cabin that I escaped from Siberia - either reading there or taking the books home. It was between that library and two extraordinary teachers that I developed a lifelong passion for the great Russian novelists and poets. It was there that I learned to line up patiently for my turn to sit at the table and read, to wait - sometimes months - for a book. It was there that I learned that reading was not only a great delight but a privilege,” recalled the Polish and American author Esther Hautzig, in her autobiography of her childhood titled, “The Endless Steppe.”
Her autobiography tells how her family from Vilna, in Poland, were deported by the invading Russians to Siberia on the pretext of being 'enemies of the people.' {pages 179 to 180 of “The Endless Steppe: Growing up in Siberia,” by Esther Hautzig, 1968, New York: Harper Trophy}. Her autobiography is now a great classic of children's literature.
For Esther Hautzig, a library was more than a place for reading. Libraries provided warmth, a sanctuary where you could forget the negative atmosphere around you and a place to develop your language and literary aspirations. It was in this library that Hautzig honed her literary skills and later became an award-winning author for children!
A prisoner in England once told a librarian that “When I visit a library I forget that I am in prison.”
.
.
A CONVENTIONAL VIEW OF LIBRARIES
The views of Hautzig and the English prisoner are at odds with some conventional and traditional views of libraries. When libraries spring to mind we often think they are dull, dreary and pointless places remote from real life. Libraries seem 'unreal' and 'too academic.' You only learn 'to talk like a book.' Nothing much happens in libraries! You aren't even allowed to speak in them. They are as silent as monasteries. You can only enter a library after swearing a vow of silence. According to some narrow economic views, libraries are viewed as extravagant, extra, and even expendable. They represent a fetter on the means of production.
Such views have been used as a pretext to dramatically cut expenditure on libraries. The results are that libraries in the United Kingdom have been closed down, and many librarians made redundant. For instance, since 2010, an estimated 800 libraries have been closed down. And the number of salaried staff in libraries was cut from 24,000 in 2009 to 15,300 in 2019. This is only the beginning. The government intends to close down more libraries. The main excuse for closing down libraries is economic. The state claims it can't afford them, the economy is in huge debt and that such services weaken rather than strengthen the economy.
.
.
LIBRARIES PLAY A PROFOUND ECONOMIC ROLE
But recent research into the role of libraries in the economy proves otherwise. For instance, research by the University of East Anglia found libraries strengthen the economy and play a positive role in stimulating economic growth. Investment in libraries return 6 times their running costs! The economists found that libraries generated a value of 3.4 billion pounds a year. {See the report titled “Libraries for Living, For Living Better,” 2023, which can be freely downloaded on the Internet}.
Note that a knit and natter group in Clacton generated 30,000 pounds in value by reducing the impact of loneliness on health, productivity and well-being. Isabel Hunter, M.B.E. a chief executive of 'Libraries Connected ' stated, “For the 1st time we have rigorous academic analysis that demonstrates the far reaching economic and social impact of libraries. The innovative research by University of East Anglia should be a game changer for public libraries and how they are viewed by local and national decision makers. The evidence is clear: investing in libraries brings huge returns for local communities and the public purse.”
.
Secondly, libraries are alluring and exciting places to be in. A library can serve to create a community which provides places to counter loneliness and isolation. A library can empower people by encouraging them to either learn or use their skills to aid others. They are places of empowerment.
Thirdly, libraries can act as safe places. They can represent a godsend to the homeless, refugees, and migrants who are attempting to find their ropes in a new society. They can also be places where people can receive aid and advice on how to obtain new jobs or benefits.
.
.
BIRMINGHAM'S CAMPAIGN TO DEFEND LIBRARIES
The city of Birmingham in Mid-East England is of great historical, cultural, and social significance. In the mid-18th century it was a focal point of the first Industrial Revolution. The abundance of sheer talent emerging from this city is staggering. There is something spectacular about Birmingham. It is clearly very special. This was the city where Tolkien grew up—not to mention countless artists and musicians.
Birmingham can boast of having some of the best libraries in the World. Local people here greatly respect libraries. The New Library of Birmingham which replaced the Central Library, opened in 2013 and was hailed as ' a kind of public forum, a memorial, a shrine to the book and to literature.' This library is the biggest regional library in Europe. There are 41 local libraries in the city.
Unfortunately, the city has been declared bankrupt and people fear that as many as 25 local libraries could be closed down. The council claims it has no choice but to cut 2.3 million pounds from their budget which means cutting 40% on services as well as staff. So a campaign called 'Love Birmingham Libraries' has been launched to defend the libraries.
Emma Lochery from Friends of Kings Heath has recently stated:
“We're launching 'Birmingham Loves Libraries' to unite anyone who wants to protect and champion our libraries and the services they provide to the community. We want to say, “Keep our libraries open, public, and professionally staffed!”
This group is appealing to people to sign their petition to keep their libraries open. You can sign a digital petition available on the internet.
It does not matter whether you are in Chicago, Birmingham or Siberia! Libraries represent a real shining beacon of hope to all kinds of people who find themselves in straightened situations.
Libraries are worth fighting for! They are truly priceless pearls!