On Saturday, 14 February, we celebrated Library Lovers’ Day; a time for people to celebrate the place of libraries in their lives. Our users are devoted to “their” public library and not just on one day of the year. Millions of library lovers across Australia must be right! Public libraries are at the heart of their communities and they have their communities at heart.
At no time has this been more universally evident than in the response of our colleagues across Australia to the tragic fire storms that have swept through Victoria in recent times. The e-lists are all focussing on ways in which libraries and librarians are contributing to the relief effort and ALIA’s Executive Director, Sue Hutley has highlighted some examples on the ALIA Board Blog
Last Thursday’s 7.30 Report on the ABC featured Yea’s Librarian, Jan Smith, assisting with the relief effort. To quote Jan “Everybody’s absoluteley really wanting to help, so yes, it’s good involvement”. It was no surprise to see a librarian involved, it was just a matter of when. Way to go Jan!
Similarly, following a tragic, multiple shooting in the NSW country town of Cowra last year, the Library mounted a grief display which included one of the hand-knitted trauma bears offered to children by the Red Cross. Subsequently the library became the drop off point for trauma bears and a knitting group was established to support the community and aid organisations.
This connection to our communities, and our adaptation to their needs and changing circumstances is the foundation on which public libraries rest. In the lead up to the Summit it is appropriate to reflect on the events of the last 2 weeks, and how public libraries have responded to them.
Jan Richards, ALIA Vice President.
jan.richards@alia.org.au